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ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, are based in Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A seasons.
After climbing back up the Italian football system in the early 2000s, Fiorentina are currently competing in Serie A.
Fiorentina have won Serie A twice, in 1955-56 and again in 1968-69, as well as winning six Coppa Italia trophies. On the European stage Fiorentina won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1960-61, they finished runners-up in the UEFA Cup 1989/90 and also came close to winning the biggest European prize, finishing as runners-up in the European Cup during 1956-57.
Since 1931 the club have played at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The stadium has used several names over the years and has undergone several renovations. Fiorentina are known widely by the nickname Viola, a reference to their distinctive purple colours.
Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci) is located 4 km north-west of Florence.
The Volainbus airport shuttle and the bus ATAF n° 62 connect Florence town centre with Amerigo Vespucci airport. Tickets are available on board for 4.00 EUROS. Duration: 30 minutes (estimated times) Price: 4.50 EUROS per person
Pisa’s Galileo Galilei International Airport Is 70km west of Florence. Coaches leave hourly between Pisa Airport and Florence centre. Duration: 75 minutes (estimated times) Price: 16.00 EUROS per person return Two to three trains per hour also leave the airport for Florence.
FLORENCE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
ATAF and LI-NEA are the public companies that manage the bus transportation in Florence. Generally from the centre of the city, and from all around the train station, you can reach the entire city. From there website anyway you can easily find the fares, the time schedules and the city's bus map. Tickets and Bus passes can be purchased at Box Ataf in Piazza Stazione, bars, newsstands, tobacconists. Tickets must be stamped on the machines on board. At night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., tickets can be purchased aboard from the driver at 2.00 EUROS.
The taxi service is run by two different major companies: RADIO TAXI and TAXI SOCOTA so the fees can change a little bit, you really should read carefully the information about fare shown inside the taxi.
Here are taxi fares for destinations inside the city of Florence: Starting rate: 2.38 EUROS. Starting rate for night trip (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.): 5.16 EUROS Starting rate for Sunday/holidays trip: 4.03 EUROS. Luggage (max 4 pieces): 0.57 EUROS per piece Rate fare from Florence (centre) to Amerigo Vespucci Airport: about 15.00 EUROS
City Centre to Stadio Artemio Franchi From the centre of Florence (Santa Maria Novella railway station and Piazza San Marco) use lines 7, 17 or 20 (in the days of the competitions are activated extra)
TOURIST OFFICES APT Firenze Address: Provincia di Firenze, Via Cavour 1r Opening times summer (1st March - 31st October): from Monday to Saturday from 8.15 to 19-15, Sunday and Holiday from 8.30 to 13.30 Opening times winter (1st November -28th February): from Monday to Saturday from 8.15 to 19.15 Tel: 055 290832
APT Firenze Address: Via Manzoni 16 Phone: 055 23320 Comune di Firenze Address: Borgo S. Croce 29r Tel: 055 2340444 - 055 2264524
BRITISH CONSULATE Lungarno Corsini, 2 50123 Firenze FI Tel: (0039) 055 284133 Fax: (0039) 055 219112 E-mail: Consular.Florence@fco.gov.uk Emergency number (0039) 06 4220 2603 Public hours, Monday to Friday 09:30-12:30, 14:30-16:30
BANKING HOURS The Italian banks vary from city to city, but generally the hours of opening are: Monday to Friday 0830 - 1330 and 1445 - 1545.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Baptistry of St John (Battistero San Giovanni). The "Baptistry of St John" or, in Dante's words, "il bel San Giovanni", was completed about 1128 after 70 years of building. It is famous for the three massive bronze doors on the south, north and east sides and for the magnificent mosaics in its octagonal interior.
Cathedral Museum (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo/Museo di Santa Maria del Fiore) A host of artists created notable works of art - sculpture, gold and silver items, embroidery, etc. - to furnish the Cathedral, the Campanile and the Baptistry. Security and weathering meant these could not be allowed to stay in place inside and outside the building, so at an early stage they were removed for safekeeping. Since 1891 they have been kept in the Cathedral Museum, the building that in the 15th c. had been the site of the studios and workshops for the artists and craftsmen working on the cathedral.
Piazza della Signoria The Piazza della Signoria has been the political center of Florence since the 14th century when houses belonging to Ghibelline families had to make way for the new square. It is notable for its important buildings and statues - the Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo degli Uffizi, Loggia dei Lanzi and the copies of statues by Michelangelo and Donatello.
Academy Art Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia) The spacious rooms of the hospital of St Matthew near the former church of San Matteo house the "Academy", the Galleria dell'Accademia, founded in 1784 as a school for artists by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo I of Lorraine. Together with Florence's other famous art galleries it contains important works of the Florentine school from the 13th to the 16th century. The Gallery's main claim to fame, however, is its outstanding collection of works by Michelangelo that came into the Academy's possession in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
BARS
The Chequers, Via della Scala, 7r Tel: 055 287588 One of the best English Pubs in Florence: excellent beer, perfect English-style furnishings. Very close to the historical square of Santa Maria Novella and a good place to reconcile your desire for a beer with your thirst for culture!
The Joshua Tree, Via della Scala 41 A great deal smaller then The Chequers, this pub is altogether darker with U2 reminders scattered about the place. It attracts a young crowd, especially foreigners looking for a small reminder of home.
The Old Stove, Via Pellicceria, 2r Tel: 055 284640 One of the best haunts in Florence for a good Guinness. The problem is that inside there is very little space so you'll probably be forced to drink your beer just outside on the stairs of the beautiful buildings next door.
The Lion's Fountain, Borgo degli Albizi, 34/r Tel: 055 2344412 In this Irish pub you'll find an excellent selection of good Irish beers, Guinness, Kilkenny, and Harp among others. The pub is popular amongst Florentines and visitors and the atmosphere inside is very good.
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
Terrazza Brunelleschi, Piazza Unità Italiana 6 Phone: 055 23580 The rooftop restaurant of the Grand Hotel Baglioni is an ideal venue for lunches. During summer, the outdoor terrace provides stunning views of the cathedral and bell tower, while those from the large windows of the elegant top floor restaurant inside are equally impressive.
Il Sasso di Dante, Piazza delle Pallottole 6r Picturesquely located by the right side of the Cathedral with an outdoor terrace staring romantically at the ancient cupola this is a lovely typical restaurant serving a great range of food and drink.
Acqua, al 2 Via della Vigna Vecchia 40r Tel: 055 284 170 Famous for the series of different pasta dishes served in platters and the various salads all served together in a creative style.
Antico Noe, Volta di San Piero 6/r Phone: 055 234 0838 This typical restaurant serves great Tuscan classics with flare and the local Florentines are especially fond of it. We suggest you try the tagliata, thin lightly cooked slices of Italian beef.
Beccofino, Piazza degli Scarlatti 1/r Lungarno Guicciardini Phone: 055 290 076 This urban- style furnished restaurant, that also doubles up as a wine bar, easily gets full and serves some great dishes and accompanying wines. Booking is recommended.
Benvenuto, Via della Mosca 16/r Phone: 055 214 833 This place is loved by the locals, maybe because the menu is long and the food simple, but nevertheless tasty and there are daily specials every day.
STAYING IN TOUCH – INTERNET CAFES
CyberOffice, Via San Gallo 4/r, Tel: 39-055-211103
Internet Land, Via degli Alfani 43r (centre of Florence), Tel: 39-055-2638220