Travel Warning: Unfortunately it is easy to set up a web page and purport to be a tour operator without any real consumer protection. When travelling to Italy make sure that any company you deal with respects Italian and international laws designed to protect tourists. Any company legally based in Italy must have a registered chamber of commerce travel agency number. Unregistered tour operators operating illegally in Italy do not have appropriate insurance

Integrity in Travel

A: Is this Company registered and licensed under Italian Laws?

A: Yes. The Original and Best Walking Tours in an ASTA registered company based in Florence, Italy respecting national and international laws and regulations regarding tourism. Chamber of Commerce Number 516411

B: How do I know this is a good company?
A: We are listed by just about every major guide and provide services to the worlds best Tour Operators

C: Can I save time using this guide?
A: Yes , with Italy.Artviva.com you can read short accurate descriptions of tours in Florence, as well as accommodation, hotels, country inns, apartments, so that you can quickly and easily choose where to stay and what to do in Florence

D: Do I pay more for services if I use this guide?
A: Absolutely not, instead you get good prices negotiated by us in Florence Italy

E: What about suggestions for particular holidays?
A: Save time by browsing our suggestions  for romantic getaways, historic residences, palace and castle stays, beautiful views, good value vacations, classic Tuscan country holidays, top sights, and the best shopping and restaurants in Florence and Tuscany

F: Is there a number I can ring?
A: Yes the contact details are listed in the menu

Frequently Asked Questions for Italy.artviva.com

What is appropriate for tipping in Italy?

In Italy tipping is not as common in restaurants as it is in North America.  You will see on your bill that a “coperto” or service fee is already included.  In the past it was customary not to leave any tip at a restaurant while now most people leave a small tip, of 5% or less. With taxis, it is customary to give a small tip when drivers help with loading and unloading luggage.

What is appropriate to tip our guides?

If you enjoyed your tour and would like to give your guide a token of appreciation, tips are happily accepted.  When asked, the office staff recommends whatever amount you feel comfortable with giving.

How do I get around Florence on bus, on foot?

Florence is a wonderful city to explore on foot, with its winding streets and diverse, breathtaking views of the Duomo.  Because so many streets in the heart of the city are pedestrian or one way, it is easiest to get around on foot.  There are also many city buses that offer transportation into the centre from areas in the surrounding periphery of Florence, run by ATAF, the official city bus company. 

How do I use the bus system in Florence?

For complete information visit www.ataf.net Bus tickets are sold at Tabacchi stores (indicated with a large T sign) and cost 1 euro for one ticket or 3.90 euros for four-ride ticket.  Your ticket is valid only once it has been stamped in the machine inside the bus (near the front and rear entrances to the bus).  Each ticket is valid for 60 minutes from the moment you stamp it on as many buses as you ride in that time period.  You do not need to re-stamp your ticket if you switch buses, but everyone travelling with you must have a stamped ticket.  If you do not, you may be subject to a fine.

What time do Italians eat their meals?

Typically Italians have a morning coffee or cappuccino, then break for lunch between 1 and 3 pm.  The Italian dinnertime does not begin until approximately 8 pm, but it is not uncommon to see people sitting down to dine as late a 10 pm.  Some restaurants, in fact, may not take reservations until 8 pm.  If this dinning hour seems late, a good way to fight off hunger may be to stop into a local enoteca, or wine bar, to enjoy a glass of wine and a small portion of local cheese before heading to your dinner.  A great choice is the quaint enoteca, Le Volpi e l’Uva.  Ask our office for more information!

When is a good time to visit Florence?

Florence has a fairly mild climate and is beautiful for different reasons throughout the year.  While some prefer to visit in the Spring when the city is just warming up and restaurants are beginning to move their tables outdoors for evening dining, others may prefer the long days of fall when the olives and grapes are in harvest.  There is never a bad time to visit Florence but certain points should be kept in mind:

-June and July are typically very hot in Florence and not all hotels are equipped with air-conditioning or elevators.  These are also the busiest times in the city; you will see it bustling with tourists and locals alike

-August is traditionally a month in which Italians take their summer holidays, especially the weeks surrounding August 15-17.  You will find some stores and restaurants that close for one, two or even four weeks during the month of August.

-November is a beautiful time to visit the city, but be sure to pack an umbrella.  Florence can receive a good amount of rain in the late fall.

How do we buy train tickets?

Train tickets for travel in Italy and even other countries in Europe may be purchased either at train stations or at small travel agencies (Agenzia di Viaggi).  At the Florence train station you can buy your tickets directly from a teller or at an automated computer.  The computers all have English options.  Remember that one city may have several different train stations.  The Florence city centre station is officially called Firenze, Santa Maria Novella station.  To review train times and prices visit the national train website, www.trenitalia.com

Where can I get stamps?

Stamps, or francobolli, are sold at all post offices (Ufficio Postale) or at many Tabacchi stores.  The largest post office is located under the covered archway leading off of Piazza della Repubblica.  Its hours are 8:15 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday, closed on Sundays.  There are usually two slots for dropping mail into in Florence.  One says “per tutta la città” , for within the city, is only for local mail, the other “per tutte le alter destinazione”, or all other destinations, should be used for any international mail.

Where can I find a public restroom?

Our office does not have a public restroom, so it is best to find facilities to use before you come to start your tour.  There are a few public restrooms in Florence that cost 60 cents to use.  Here is a list of several:

-          at the underpass in the train station, Santa Maria Novella

-          in Via della Stufa, 25 near the San Lorenzo market

-          at the corner of via Filippina and Via Borgognona, near Santa Croce

-          in Borgo Santa Croce, 29r, near Piazza Beccaria

-          at Piazza Ghiberti, inside the San Ambrogio market

-          in via dell’Ariento, 14 at the central market

-          on viale Galilei, up at Piazzale Michelangelo         

Alternatively, if you buy a small coffee, bottle or water, or even pack of gum, most bars in the city centre will allow you to use their facilities.

Can I check email in Florence?

Yes! Florence, like so many tourist cities, has many Internet cafés sprinkled around the historic centre.  One of the largest chains is called Internet Train.  This is a nationwide store; so once you have a membership card you may check your email in other Internet train cafes across Italy.  Membership sign up only takes a moment, but due to antiterrorism laws each new member is required to present an official document when you first sign on, like a passport or a drivers license.  You may pay for 3 hours, one hour, 30 minutes or as few as 15 minutes.  At the Internet train you can also send faxes, develop film and buy phone cards.  For more information and locations visit: http://www.internettrain.it/

The closest location to our office is on via Porta Rossa, 38r, and a 3-minute walk away.

What should a cab from the airport cost? How do I get a taxi in Florence?

Depending on where you are travelling to and how many bags you have, a taxi from the Florence airport may cost between 15 and 25 euros.  The starting meter rate for a taxi leaving from the Florence Vespucci airport starts at 4.91 euros (more after 10 pm or on weekends /holidays).  Taxicabs are usually waiting at the exit to the Florence airport, so there is not a need to arrange one ahead of time.  In Italy taxis do not stop for people on the street, you are not able to flag them down.  Instead a taxi can be called for you (which will increase the start meter rate by 1.77 euro) or you must go to one of the many designated taxi stands around the city.  The starting meter rate for a taxi in the centre of Florence is 2.54 euros, 5.49 euros after 10 pm.  Women who are taking a taxi alone between the hours of 9 pm and 2 am are entitled to a special 10% discount.

Here are some numbers of different taxi companies:

055.4390

055.4242
055.4798

http://www.socota.it/ lists all taxi stand locations in Florence city centre

When reserving a taxi by phone you must wait on the line until you are given the name of an Italian city name and a number.  This is how you will know that the taxi that arrives is yours.  For example, a taxi may be called Firenze 11.

What dress is appropriate dress in Italian churches?

Italian churches, though they may be attractions for tourists from around the world, are very much still in use and should be viewed as sacred buildings.  In Italy it is proper for all people to take off hats before entering the church.  Women must have their shoulders and knees covered at all times and men should (although it is not always obligatory) have on long pants.  In Florence, any women wearing tank tops, shorts, short dresses and skirts will be turned away from the church at the entrance.  If you happen to forget a sweater or scarf and will be taking the Original Florence Walk that enters the Duomo, the office has a limited number of scarves that can be lent out for the duration of the tour.<