The tourist buses are extremely expensive. Great alternative, is using the city bus routes.
Una biglietti (one ticket good for 90 minutes of bus use), is 2 Euros if gotten on the bus. Try to have exact change. You can walk to any shop with a large T sign, such as a newsagent, bus info, or Tabacco shop, or pastry shop in some cases, as the tickets will be cheaper. A quatro biglietti has four rides on it, each good for 90 minutes, once validated.
You must validate your card on the bus immediately, or risk getting a fine which by law can be up to 240Euros, plus the 5 Euros paperwork fee. Being a tourist is not an excuse.
There are a few different bus validation machines.
The big yellow one, you punch your ticket in the bottom first, then the middle stamps it again. The big red one, on other buses, you punch your ticket once, at the bottom, for actual tickets. For non stamped tickets, pass it over the top part. Buses have one type of machine, not several. Usually in the middle of the bus near the doors. Most buses have 3 doors, usually you go in any, but go off thru the back two doors.
------
BUS ROUTES for sightseeing
-Michelangelo Plaza: use any bus which says this on the front, usually bus 12, or 13A are the two I use. They go slightly different routes sometimes, on the way. Both pass by many beautiful things, such as the Russian Orthodox church on the canal, or the music school where you often can hear them practicing, as I did today. Buses run very often, but not 24 hours. Using the city bus at night, gives spectacular night views over the city too, and of course the day panoramic views you can see more than just black with pretty lights.
There are many places to get on or off the bus 12 and 13A, but I usually get them at the main SMN train station, or near the Ponte Caraia, or near the canal.
-----------
-Fiesole: Use the bus #7. Catch it over by San Marco Plaza, about a block off, near the Botanical Gardens and Archeology Museums.
Beautiful, magnificent views, even more so that Michelangelo Plaza, further out of the city, over the hills, tall green skinny trees that I´m too tired to name currently in English, huge Palace type homes and gardens, olive groves, etc.
The bus runs lots, it just doesn´t appear on the bus stops, so check with the driver. It´s really worth the visit, and walking around a bit.
Will add photos when time permits. I only got home tonight by 7 pm and have been out since early this morning walking all day, so am tired. and cold and want a shower and supper:)
I took 500 photos every day the last few days, so am adding only a few obv, when time, for other days too. In order.
Having difficulties Sykping from here for some reason:(.
Warm, sunny blue skies day, now bitterly cold, will snow soon. Just like snowing back in Norway,)
Am looking forward to coming again in hot weather in spring, when it will probably still be cold, and or rainy in Norway.
Still lots to do, little time. Suddenly thought of Willy Wonka saying so little to do so much time, wait not reverse that. etc scene. The Venchi gelateria, which is a famous chocolate makers, has wonderful gelato too, but in the front of the shoppe has faucets with open taps of warm melted chocolate constantly pouring down into pools underneath,). swoon. I only got gelato. Ginger-cinnamon, and mild white flavour made from 4 kinds of milk (?), both delicious. The place down a few stores, had excellent lemon ice sorbet, which I got also. Splurge! Don´t regret either one,)
ok busy busy busy sightseeing, will probably have to finish blog after leaving. So exhausted! Great time with family, will be sad to leave, but also missing Norwegian family, glad to see them soon again, and glad Italian family will be in Norway soon for hols:).
God Jul og Merry Holidays. Italy and Norway both are having a snowy holiday season....
