My family, husband, wife and two grown sons, plan to visit Florence, Sienna, Volterra and the Cinqua Terre flying in and out of Milan in May 2013. I have two questions: any suggestions on order of trip based on using public transport and inexpensive lodging suggestions for 4 adults. I was thinking of renting a small apt. in Florence for 5 to 7 days. Thank you for any suggestions.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Hope you have a great time, but having been to Florence I find it extremely dull. Yes, it's chocked full of museums, and leather shops and other clothes store. What I remember mostly about Florence is Michelangelo's David and shopping. But for 5-7 days I think I would rather stay home and read a good book. While you're in Florence by all means take a day trip over to Pisa for some fun. Please do try to get over to Venice while in Italy.
Posted by
OP
Pottstown, PA, USA
38 posts
Been to Venice. I love art and architecture and we plan to take day trips from Florence.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Well if everybody in your group loves art and architecture as much as you then I'm sure you'll have a blast.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
If you love art, I'd budget as much time you can for Florence. I spent 10 days there on my first trip and have been back 4 times since then, never getting bored with it. In fact, I find I can't drag myself away from Florence for day trips. Finally I scheduled a stay in Ravenna on my last trip, and a stay in Siena on my upcoming trip... because couldn't convince myself to leave Florence to do them as day trips. I can't recommend specific apartments, although they are a great way to go. The other possibililty, which is what I do, is convents. The convent I stay at in Florence is about 3 blocks from the Duomo, for 45E/night for one person, including a simple but filling breakfast (although there is a curfew, and no/little English spoken but I do fine with no Italian): Suore Oblate dell'Assunzione Via Borgo Pinti 15; Firenze tel: 39 055 248 0582;
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