I have been saving up and my partner and I are going to Italy to celebrate my graduation.
We bought just our one way in for late May into Rome, where we fly home from is still open ended. We will not be staying in Rome since we have already been. Our ideal trip would have 1 week in Tuscany with time spent at multiple vineyards, including staying in Florence for 3 of those nights. We want to stay at atleast one agriturismo and take a cooking class. We are deciding whether to spend one more week in Italy vs elsewhere. Elsewhere we want to hike, be outdoors, eat good food, and see scenic views! Please also let us know any good cooking classes, farm stays/agriturismo’s, hikes (in Dolomites or elsewhere), vineyards (we love Montepulciano), butchers/cattle farms, best restaurant florentine steaks, and any other tips, places, or advice! We are so excited and looking forward to it greatly- thanks in advance!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3488 posts
For the part of your trip following Tuscany and Florence, you could train up to the Dolomites via Bolzano. Bolzano is a 3:15 train ride from Florence. From Bolzano’s train station it’s about a 50-minute bus ride to the base town of ORTISEI where a lot of the lifts to the higher-elevation hiking trails are located. Hotels give their guests bus passes for the area and you can visit the oldest town in Tyrol, BRIXEN, from Ortisei by bus in one hour. SELVA DI VAL GARDENA is another town close to Ortisei that you can base yourselves for a few days. (We’ll be there in just two weeks). It’s never date-certain when the lifts and gondolas to the higher-elevation hiking trails will open in late May or early June.
If gondola-opening day gets delayed, then MERANO, Italy— 20 miles northwest of Bolzano— is another Dolomite option for hiking in a beautiful town set in a river valley surrounded by mountains. MERANO is also known for its geothermal spas. Merano is a 40-minute train ride from Bolzano.
Posted by
9218 posts
I could list them, but don't need to do so, just read this great article.
https://culturedvoyages.com/best-towns-in-tuscany-italy/
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16881 posts