We're to be on the city tour of Florence November 23, but want to spend one night in Assisi. Since we'll be arriving Friday, is it easier and faster to get to Assisi flying into Rome or Florence? Is Saturday travel from Assisi to Florence difficult. Thanks.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Assisi is about half way between Florence and Rome. Plus, it's a little more east. We've done it from Florence. It's a 2.5hr. trip on a local regionale train. From Rome, it's about 20 minutes faster. As to flying into Rome or Florence, it's your choice. You can fly internationally into Rome but it's most likely that you will make connections elsewhere in Europe before flying into Florence. It's a much smaller airport.
Posted by
Collierville, Tennessee, USA
500 posts
Check out Anne Robichaud's website. She is a tour guide in Umbria. We have taken two tours with her and recommned her highly.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Assisi is a beautiful town sitting up on a bluff. As you approach from the south it's an incredible view!
We've done both directions (once by car and once by train) and Larry's time frames (as usual) are correct! Saturday travel from Assisi to Florence (or Rome) is relatively easy, be it by train or car.
As far as flying into Florence, again Larry is correct. There are few US-Firenze flights and you'll get more options flying into Rome.
But.... From your time frame I read that you arrive on a Friday (is that Nov. 21?) and tour Florence on Nov. 23 (Sunday?)... Why not just head into Florence on Friday and stay through Sunday ... then head to Assisi... and then onward to Rome?? Not sure if I read your dates correctly but that seems a more proper order to get you headed southward without doubling back! Florence offers much to see and there's always a day-trip to Siena or Pisa that you can toss in there.
Again, I'd plan my itinerary so I do not have to double back! Hope that helps...
Ciao,
Ron
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
Ron, they will be on the RS City tour of Florence which runs Nov 23-29. Switching the itinerary around is probably not going to work unless they move Assisi to the end of the trip.
Hi Karen--this is Liz from Rome! I would suggest checking out the airfare prices first. We were able to find roundtrip from Rome for $650. Flying to Florence was closer to $1000. Even with taking the Eurostar back down to Rome, the savings were obvious! Just make sure you have enough time to get back down to Rome if you plan to leave Saturday when the tour ends. Our flight is not until 1:30.
Posted by
Piedmont, nc, usa
316 posts
Karen, check out the bus timetables. I went from Florence t Assisi in 2006 and the bus was as fast and cheaper. Also, we go to see more of the countryside.
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
I have just returned from Italy and travelled from Florence to Siena by bus and then on to Assisi by bus and then from Assisi to Rome by train. This worked really well and was very easy to negotiate. I'd suggest the train from Rome to Assisi - about 2 hours and lovely scenic trip. The bus from Assisi to Siena was 2 hours also, not sure if there is one to Florence but I'd be surprised if there wasn't.
For the best meal in town go to Trattoria Pallotta, Via San Rufino 4 - Just through the Palazzo del Comune's large main arch on Piazza del Comune. We has the most wonderful reasonably priced meal there. We had the vegetarian anti pasti dish to start and then I had rabbit and my companion had pidgeon. Just delicious.
Also for great fresh pastries and terrific coffee & gelati go to Caffe del Lion d'Oro in Corso G Massini. We had breakfast there with the locals rather than our hotel. Freshly squeezed juice, pastries and coffee - yum.