Florence

What You Should Know More About Florence

• Q. Travel Advice

  ·         Keep the touts at bay.

  ·         Do not entertain the beggars.

  ·         Make sure you do not travel alone in the night hours.

  ·         Ensure that you have had sufficient research before going to any new place.

  ·         Nudity is strictly prohibited.

  ·         If you are visiting a temple or a religious place, make sure you dress accordingly.

  ·         Do not flaunt your cash or valuables in the public place.

  ·         Always ensure that you book a room in an area that is known to you.

  ·         Avoid booking a hotel in any shady region.

  ·         Beware of thefts. Make sure you have kept all your cash and valuables safely.

  ·         Enquire about the room safe before booking a hotel.

  ·         Do not leave any of your valuables in the hotel room.

  ·         Do not get involved in any fight with anyone.

  ·         Make sure you double check the seal of the water bottle before buying.

  ·         Check the quality of the street food before ordering for it.

  ·         Do not let anyone deceive you.

  ·         Girls make sure you do not get over friendly with the locals here.

  ·         Learn some words from the local language prevalent in the region.

  ·         Do not book any cab or taxi without negotiating the fare for the same. 

• Q. Drinking Law

  There are no restrictions on alcohol. 

• Q. Our Recommendations: What you can’t afford to miss?

  Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza Duomo

  
  

  Piazza Duomo along with a group of buildings which form a cathedral complex gather some of the greatest artistic treasures of the Italy in one of a relatively smaller area of the city. As you take a tour to the bell tower, and its museum, baptistery and the cathedral, you’ll see some of the most renowned masterpieces of architecture and art drafted by the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance. Some of them being Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Giotto, and Ghiberti. You can begin your tour by walking around the square and admiring the fine inlaid marble exteriors. Thereafter, you can step inside one of them to give a closer look to the stained glass works of art which will greet you everywhere you set your eyes. The 2.5 hour guided tour to this brilliant tourist attraction will include the baptistery, the cathedral, the dome and the entrance. Post that you also have an option of visiting the Opera del Duomo Museum on your own.

  
  

  Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John)

  
  

  Look from an angle inside or out, the octagonal baptistery will only seem to you as a fine work of art. This 12th century landmark with its marble façade and the intricate mosaics of its interior make this one of the most important places to see. To get a closer look, you need to see some of the treasures that have made for the baptistery, so you can visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo which is a Cathedral’s museum.

  
  

  Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria)

  
  

  Art, history, and power eco in the rich rooms and the grand galleries of this citadel like a palace that is located in the heart of the city. From here the republic was ruled and its powerful Medici family commissioned the world class architects and artists of the day to decorate and design their apartments and offices. Be sure to sign up to one of the free tours so that you get access to some of the secret passages the Medici used to move within the rooms. It is the best sightseeing attraction of the city.

• Q. What you will like there?

  Birthplace of BBQ

  
  

  South Carolina is the Birthplace of Barbeque. Sounds Interesting? The Florence County has very well been keeping up this traditional alive longer than you can actually remember. You can find 4 different types of barbecue sauces here – pepper, mustard, vinegar and light tomato. Florence tends to prepare its pork mainly with pepper and vinegar or light tomato based sauce but if you visit the barbecue restaurants, you can find the other two styles as well. Traditionally, the pork is usually cooked as a whole hog slow and low over a fire pit just the manner in which the North Americans taught it. In this, the pork is removed by pulling it in the long strips and this is how it has acquired the name pork barbecue. The state also celebrated its barbecue heritage via the SC BBQ Trail.  

  
  

  Dynamic Live Music

  
  

  The music scene of Florence is lively. You can find concerts being held at the Lake City Community Theatre, Florence Civic Center and the Performing Arts Center. Performances by the Florence Men's Choral Society, Florence Symphony Orchestra and the Masterworks Choir are always on the calendar. Downtown always has free live entertainment on the first and the last Fridays. Restaurants here play live music on their courtyards and patios.

  
  

  Hitting the Trails

  
  

  Florence has a trail system that is about 43.6 miles long. This trail connects the parks, cultural features, historic sites and other attractions. Along this trail, you can find attractions such as the Florence Museum, Florence Veterans Park, Jeffries Creek, Florence Stockade, Timrod Park, Florence Civic Center, Performing Arts Center, Cultural Corridor with the library, and so much more.

  
  

  Location, Location, Location

  
  

  Florence enjoys a great geographical position. It is located at the intersection of i-95 and i-20 hallways that lies amidst Orlando, Florida and Washington, D.C. It is also located at a halfway between Miami and New York City. It has been the resting point for the families on vacation as well as the group tour buses. Given the 300+ restaurants and over 5000 hotel rooms, Florence indeed is the ideal stopover junction for every traveller. Another thing about the location of Florence is that it is located at hour and a half from the historic city of Charleston and just an hour or so from the Myrtle Beach. It is also the hub of the North Eastern part of the South Carolina when it comes to healthcare, shopping, manufacturing and dining.

  
  

  Paddling History

  
  

  Florence really has found out the best way to educate the locals and the visitors about the history. You don’t read history here rather you paddle it. There are SC Revolutionary Rivers paddling trails sprawling over 66 miles into the tupelo swampy and cypress region. The SC Revolutionary Rivers were given the status of National Recreation Trail in the year 2015.

  
  

  Southern Flavor

  
  

  When you are in Florence, you’ll know that people really have a great taste. The common belief here is to best way to experience the culture is gastronomical. City is really fortunate to have over 300 restaurants with a growing number of locally sourced and the locally owned choices. You can find zesty pulled pork barbecue, fresh caught catfish tacos, shrimp from Charleston over grits and more.  Make sure you visit the best restaurants in the city to make the most of your stay in Florence

  
  

  That's Just Natural

  
  

  Florence knows how to connect with nature and the people. A great place to begin with your sightseeing tour is the Lynches River County Park's Environmental Discovery Center. EDC was designed with technologically advanced youth in mind who wish to feel comfortable in the nature by being comfortable and connected to it. Everything here is clean, green, natural and organic, making Florence a great place especially for the photo lovers and the nature lovers

  
  

  The Arts Are Everywhere

  
  

  No matter, which part of Florence you are in, you’ll find art everywhere – architectural, spoken, performing, visual and culinary – the list can just go on and on. If you are seeking some, artsy time when on a holiday, you definitely must plan a trip in late April. During this time, you’ll see pianos being set up all across the Downtown for Play Me, Florence, I'm Yours! In the Florence Little Theatre, you can check out the spring musical while in the Florence Museum you can fine the William H. Johnson exhibit. If you head to the Moore Farms Botanical Garden, you can hear the Florence Symphony being played. When all this is already happening, the Art Fields beckons thousands into the Lake City to view the competition. Nearly 400 artists come here to compete for $100,000 in prizes in he Lake City and you’ll be helping them out in choosing the winners.

  
  

  Value and Hospitality

  
  

  When it comes to value and hospitality, one really cannot beat Florence. Given the value of the quality stays especially when you go on comparing with the stops along the I-95. Further, you can experience the warm hospitality of the locals here, you strive hard to make your stay comfortable and pleasurable.

• Q. Recommended reads for destination (govt. websites, travel forum articles)?

  Website: Official Website

  Forum: Official Forum