Florence for first-timers

It's impossible to narrow it down to a paragraph, let alone a sentence. The art is overwhelming and requires AT LEAST a full day to view. This should be noted on marketing materials/ reservations/ tickets/ etc. I was probably most moved by Botticelli's paintings. They appeared as if they were created yesterday!🙌

I arrived with my family at the scheduled time (7:15pm), even though there was a line to get tickets, our resserved ticket line was a breeze! Overall great experience!

Everything went smoothly, except the entrance in the cathedral. I thought we had to wait outside in line for the main entrance, which we did, but once inside realised I could have used the entrance next to the bell tower. The climb to the bell tower was great inspite of all the remarks on the amount of steps, and how it could be terribly difficult. Some people in my group didn't do it because they were afraid. However, it was easy to do and the stairs are not that claustrophobic as people say and the fact that we can climb at our own pace and have the chance to stop and rest in each level makes it quite easy to do. The view is worth it.

It was a great day, we had lunch, visited the Roman ruins and the museum on the red route in Fiesole. Both are well worth a look. We intended to only spend 1hr there but stayed for over two. It was nice to be out of the hussel and bussel of Firenze for a while. The rest of the tour is also well worth the money even if it's just to get a background of what to see and do. That how we use the HOHO buses