Customer Reviews

Baedeker's Florence

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i have just returned from my first trip to florence and i used the baedeker guide every day of my vacation. divided into useful sections, the book provides historical and cultural information, as well as full-color pictures, about the city itself and the sights in the city. the first section, the historical account of the city and its people, allows any traveler (no matter his or her previous knowledge of florentine history) to understand why florence arose as it did. the section that alphabetically (and therefore ultimately usefully) lists the significant buildings and locations provides the relevant information (hours open, bus routes, location) for visiting. also, the guide, in the last section of the book, offers practical advice on visiting florence. the comprehensive index at the end is the last evidence of its appeal as a guide. the most wonderful aspect of the baedeker's guide, though, is the concise descriptions of what comprises each of the major sights; not only does the first time visitor learn about what each building or piazza contains, but he or she can do so without a specific guide for each gallery or palazzo. overall, the guide book (and the spectacular full-sized free street map) made my trip to florence easy and more fun than i could have imagined.

This is the single most useful guidebook to Florence that I have found. Compact and light, it is easy to carry in a purse or backpack. Its detailed floorplans and histories or major attractions make it easy to be your own tour guide and a snap to locate all the major points of interest. The pull-out map is a godsend when lost in the narrow streets of Florence. The book is loaded with pictures and practical information, and the alphabetical listing of city attractions and their locations and hours make it easy to map out an efficient itinerary. I heartily recommend this book to the first-time visitor to Florence!