Preparing for my stay in Florence, Italy

I leave New York City about 5PM on September 30 via Alitalia.  I arrive in Milan at 11 AM on October 1st.  Then I travel by train to Florence where I have rented a one bedroom apartment for the month.  When I get to Florence I owe the Landlady another 800 euros for the rent [1000 for the month minus 200 deposit ... already paid].  So the first thing I did was get some euros 1200 for $1420.

Second was to figure out the best way to get to Florence from the airport.  The airport is 30 minutes by cab to the train terminal in Milan and that trip costs 90 euros.  After much research I discovered Trenitalia, Italy's fast train system.  I can catch the 2:13 train at the airport; get to Milan at 2:54 and then get to FLorence at 5:10.  Total cost $74.

I have 3 books to study about Florence plus a dictionary.  The object of my research will be to learn simple phrases in order to get around.  Then research the places I want to visit in Florence and the surrounding area.  I also want to research the history of the city and it's great artists and art works.

So like Lorenzo the Magnificent in Cecco Braco's painting I will be lugging around quite a few books.

I have 2 books on the art and architecture with similar titles but they are very different:  this is my favorite

but it weighs a ton.
So i'll read that now.