Hello travelers, I'm planning a trip to Italy in March 2020. I've been to the "big three" as well as Pisa, Viareggio and Cinque Terre before, but this time I'm renting an apartment around Florence and staying put for 4-5 weeks. I know it's easy to get to Siena, Florence, San Gimignano, Pisa, etc but I am a SPONGE! Please suggest any other day trips, off-the-beaten path joys that you've discovered in the area, and things that brought you peace. This is a self care trip after the loss of my mother, so I want to be still but also take some day trips and explore as well. To be more specific of location, the place I'm strongly considering is in the Capraia Fiorentina area of Florence. Thank you so much and travel well.
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1609 posts
Italy will be the perfect place for taking care of yourself.
So, not in Florence but more than half an hour away by train? I was going to suggest the wonderful history of art course at the British Institute in Florence because that's what I loved doing when I lived in Florence for 5 weeks, but that would be quite a daily commute. One of the best things I ever did in Italy. It's not exactly peaceful, but it is very absorbing and you see lots of beautiful things and your fellow students are friendly adults from all over the world.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the ceramics museum in Montelupo and the whole historic center of Pistoia (half hour by train from Florence).
In Florence, some of my favorite things were the Bardini museum, the Benozzo Gozzoli chapel, the archeology museum, the Duomo museum, and the Museo degli Innocenti.
My husband enjoyed the evening music performances at Saint Mark's English Church in Florence (peaceful) and also going to the opera (not peaceful!).
Posted by
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
355 posts
Bologna is about 30 minutes away by high speed train, so it makes a good day trip. Sounds like you might especially enjoy the Santo Stefano basilica. And it is hard to have a bad meal in Bologna.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
There are so many easy day trips from Florence. Destinations you haven't mentioned include Pistoia, Arezzo, Bologna, Modena, Ferrara, Cortona and Chianti in Greve (in no particular order, and I'm presuming the "etc." after Pisa includes nearby places like Lucca and Volterra). I've not been yet, but people have commented favorably on Montecatini Terme, both for the town and its baths. If you're 4-5 weeks extends to April 12, the Easter events in Florence are great. Also, I'm sure one of the regular posters more familiar with the area you're considering will comment on whether or not it would require a car. The area appears to be closer to Empoli than Florence.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4661 posts
nancysherer8, thanks so much for the info about the British Institute Art Course. I am adding that to my bucket list-and their website says you can just take it for one or two weeks!
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1609 posts
You can even take a single class on one day, but it is more expensive to do it that way. There are some slideshow lectures at the British Institute Library and some visits with one of the lecturers to various places in Florence.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7304 posts
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