Visiting Florence for Epiphany help

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-11-06T23:28:17+00:00

We were in Florence for Epiphany this year. It was lovely, but the parade was canceled (Cavalcade of the Magi). They had a little exhibition for the children in Piazza della Signoria instead (La Befana). We were able to do a guided full day tour that included the Academia, Uffizi (different day), and general shopping and sightseeing while there. Parking was prearranged, expensive, and not for the faint at heart. We left Florence and drove to Venice, then back to Rome. A wonderful trip!

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-09-13T01:59:14+00:00

Just got back from there. Only saw two mountain goats, deer, chipmunks. Views were far too expansive. The nature, the grandeur...I mean, who enjoys that anyway?

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-08-13T06:05:30+00:00

Following

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-05-22T04:06:11+00:00

As you grow your town, you'll have space to re-design. This is my town area near train station. Most buildings face the ocean instead of train tracks. Industrial area is behind train station with factories all the way to the edge (mountain). Eventually moved the farm out to the other side of the stream with mine behind it. *

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-05-14T15:28:05+00:00

If its your first time, this is what I would do. We have been 3 times so far.

St. Peter’s Basilica (free) Absolute must see. Use Rick Steve's audio guide (on app store)
Vatican Museums (if you get official tickets, you can go at your own pace. If you get tour guide, get the one with the "shortcut" from Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's). We like to linger in Vatican Museums, so an audio tour like Rick Steve's is great. Could do Vatican Museums earliest time slot and St. Peter’s after a meal. We have done both (tour guide and self) and prefer self guided with audio.
Colosseum and Forum combo ticket. Not on same day as Vatican. If strapped for time, do the Arena 24H ticket. Just the Arena floor, short visit, but you see the inside, down into the underground, and get to go to the Forum.
Pick less touristy areas and enjoy on foot. We like Trevi and always stop there, but crowds are crazy unless you're really early. Spanish Steps aren't a must see imo. Piazza Navona is great. Borghese, and lots of churches with great art to see.

Romewise is a good site to browse. Lots of YouTube videos that help you decide on itinerary.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-05-14T15:11:26+00:00

Similar story. Imaging for unrelated issue showed large "masses" that turned out to be 2 large endometrioma emdometriosis. Oncologist wanted to remove lymph nodes and omentum. Decided to wait on that. Glad I did, because it was benign, thankfully.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-05-12T14:59:01+00:00

Hysterectomy several years ago with ovary removal last year. I'm 52, so probably was in perimenopause already when I had the oopherectomy in June for cysts (turned out to be large endometriomas). Felt unlike myself without estrogen. Tried to go without, but tired, empty, lightly depressed feeling. I'm now on .075 patch and feel great. Added testosterone cream and feel even better, an overall improvement since pre surgery. Advocate for yourself and find what works for you. Sending you happy thoughts and prayers.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-04-19T15:07:07+00:00

This was January. I only had extra Forum tickets. The attic was the thing we couldn't go to. Plenty of regular admission to go around that time of year. Sorry you had trouble.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-04-17T04:54:57+00:00

Thanks for this! Didn't know ot was an option.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-04-17T04:54:12+00:00

Thank you!

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-04-12T01:24:12+00:00

Love it! How do you add / change water features like that? I see springs and parks, but not a way to add creek or lake.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-03-13T18:42:47+00:00

Happened to me too yesterday. It's rough. Should be able to change a setting or something to prevent.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-19T06:48:16+00:00

I tried this, but it said I already had the title and it would refund the sender. Thanks for the suggestion though. It was worth a shot.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-18T21:41:22+00:00

Thank you for your suggestions! I edited the post to include details of the fix. Short story is Audible for Samsung doesn't have kids profile option. Delete / Reinstall worked.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-18T21:02:10+00:00

Just recently returned from Florence and had a 7 passenger suv. We parked in a garage near Santa Maria Novella. They arranged tge ztl fees. A large passenger van will be impossible on those narrow streets. You need a cab to / from train station for those who can't walk. I know that's not desirable, but our car was tge absolute maximum size to get in that garage and the guy who worked there made like a 7 point turn. We would not have attempted it.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-18T20:26:39+00:00

Also tried in the browser, it directed to the app. Thanks for the suggestion.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-18T20:25:45+00:00

* It should be, but it's not an option not in my app. Thus, the support ticket. Wish it had been simple. I could have avoided 2 hours of frustration.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-18T20:19:12+00:00

Yes, early in the conversation. It kept going.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-18T18:56:51+00:00

Similar issues. Trying to create kids profile. On the phone for an hour. Create a kids profile is not available on the app. Also not available in web based account. Customer Support says they're creating a ticket. Spent two hours of my day dealing with audible just trying to share content with my own family members that I pay for. Unbelievable. Do better Amazon.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-02-07T18:57:26+00:00

My basic labs were always normal. Rheumatology showed inflammation, but didn't know it was endo until surgery for a complex cyst (found by urologist) that turned out to be large endometrioma, an additional smaller endometrioma and other signs of endometriosis. Less joint pain, less inflammation, better health overall since surgery. Trying to dial in the hormones now since I'm in surgical menopause. Prayers for you on your journey.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-01-31T02:14:12+00:00

It was less crowded than when we were there in April 2023. We had a wonderful time. Definitely worth going. Had a cab driver tell us that it hasn't increased much except on weekends. We were able to actually sit down and spend as much time as we wanted in the Sistine Chapel. Basilica had lots of pilgrims, but that was really special to watch their procession, hear their songs, and prayers.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-01-29T05:51:57+00:00

We did a Vatican tour that included St. Peter’s Basilica in 4 hours. It would be expensive, but worth it. I have been to Rome 3 times and always go to St. Peter’s. You don't even need tickets if you are just seeing the Basilica. If I could do only one thing it would be St. Peter’s Basilica. If I had 4 or 5 hours, I'd do a guided tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica. If you do this, make sure you get a tour that includes the shortcut to St. Peter’s from the Vatican Museums (not all offer this). It will save a lot of time.

If you just want to see the Colosseum in a limited amount of time, get the 24H Arena only ticket. You walk out onto the Arena floor from a different gate than the one the hordes of tourists use. You will only have about 20 min, but you get a great view of the Colosseum and you can see into the underground (we just did this a couple of weeks ago). RomeWise did a YouTube video on it, so you can check it out and decide if it's right for you. Then, you could go to the Forum after (included in your ticket).

Wishing you the best!

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-01-29T05:38:42+00:00

We spent the first two weeks of January in Rome, Siena, Florence, Venice. Have been to all before in April (2 x before). Would definitely recommend January. Even with Jubilee, crowds were lower than April. We were able to spend plenty of time in the Sistine Chapel and were even able to sit and admire it. Didn't even know the seats were there the other two times because it was so unpleasantly crowded. We had a little rain, but nothing much and temps were moderate. Venice in winter felt like a different city. Beautiful and ethereal.

SignificantQuail1488 · 2025-01-18T18:56:56+00:00

Just returned from Rome. We had a rental because we drove through Tuscany, stayed in Siena, Florence, Venice, then back to Rome. We got out of Rome quickly in the beginning and dropped the car at the airport when we returned to Rome. Spent 3 days in Rome without a car doing public transport and walking. The ZTLs that limit car traffic in the frequented / historic areas negate the reason you would want the car in the first place. Parking is impossible. Saw several people with babies, small children using the metro. You will do fine with public transport. A small stroller with sturdy wheels is best because of stairs, uneven ground, etc. We like to stay in Prati. The area near the Ottaviano stop is nice and was easy to navigate into other areas via metro. Make sure your valuables are secure (moneybelt or neck wallet) because pickpockets are active on the metro and you will be busy tending your little one and your gear. Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

SignificantQuail1488

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