Day 5 - Florence (1st May, 2012)

Actually there is one designer outlet in Venice called Veneto Designer Outlet, we didn't go to shop at this area due to our schedule was quite tight, and it is not open on Sunday. Here has some information; opening time is from 10a.m-8p.m on Monday to Saturday. The brands there is Anthony Morato, Armani Outlet, Baci & Abbracci, Billabong, Burberry, CK, Fendi, Ferrari Store, Guess, Nike, Miss Sixty, Paul Smith, Prada, Tommy, Hilfiger, Versace, United Colors of Benetton etc.

There is free shuttle bus service from Venice Tronchetto to Veneto Designer Outlet, twice route per day, 10a.m-3p.m; back from Veneto to Venice is 2p.m-7p.m. There are professional Limo services also, €35 per person, has to booked before 7p.m of the previous day and require min 2 passengers. I don't know about the distance, duration and how good is the deal there, because i didn't go there.

We are departing to Florence with 7.39a.m Train from Metre Station. First of all, we have to find for the schedule from Santa Lucia to Metre Station the day before. Luckily i didn't book the earliest train (5.45a.m)to Florence which is only €9 per ticket, because the information i get online is the distance within Metre and Santa Lucia is only 5 minutes and there are many trains to reach. I will say the frequency of the train is increase during the afternoon, but definitely is not in the morning.

After purchase the train ticket, you have to "punch" your ticket at a yellow machine (normally it is stick on the pillar), then only you can go on the train, and it is free sitting.

9.35a.m, we arrived at Florence.

The hotel we stayed has provide the free tour service at 10a.m, luckily it was not far away from the station, and we are on time to join the tour.

I was so surprise the way they park their car, really fully utilise their bumper.

The nicest Gelato i tried in this trip, the tour guide say it is the first in Florence.

After the free half day tour, then i want to go for a place, that we can view the Florence scene. After checking at the Police station (Hard to get the clear direction from others), then we go to take the bus in front of the S.M.Novelle Raiway Station. You have to buy the bus ticket, which you can buy with the kiosk that selling newspaper with €1.20 per ticket, and this ticket is valid for 90 minutes. 

You can take bus 23, 23A, 23B, to reach the Piazza Poggi station, and climb the staircase. But, we have missed this station, and we stop at the next station, end up we have to walk farer a bit.

It is tiring to climb up, especially in the rain, but the scene there was worth it.

We return to the hotel in a WET condition, luckily the hotel has the laundry service that we can wash and dry our cloth with €3 each.

We found a place like a small night market for local food, just 5 minutes walk from the McDonald, but it's just too bad that we have taken our dinner, so we only buy this two to eat. It is so yummy.