Hello,
My husband and I and our two kids (ages 14 and 16) will be spending 7 days in Florence over New Year's Week (12/27-1/2). We have booked a pasta making class in Tavarnelle on 12/30. We need a car to get there, so we so are thinking about renting a car for two days (12/29-12/31) and visiting places in the area -- returning to Florence each evening. I have a couple of questions -- your help and insight is much appreciated.
- Experience with a rental agency? I am planning to pick up near the train station. Any vendor your recommend or recommend avoiding?
- Has anyone been to Tavarnelle? Any ideas on what to do in the area before our pasta class? Maybe a winery or olive farm?
- Other referred destinations? We have heard Lucca, Sienna and SanGimignano. At this point, we will have feasted on art and churches, so looking for something different. Maybe an olive oil farm? Artisans of other kinds? A winery that does more than just tastings -- maybe info on how wine is made?
Finally, do you a memorable restaurant or other experience from your days near Florence that you think our family shouldn't miss?
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1246 posts
My ideas...Lucca is a walled, medieval town where you can either walk the wall or ride bikes around it. Lots of history. Will make for a different kind of day. You can get there by train.
Siena has Piazza del Campo, where you can just hang out in the piazza, people watch, and explore all the little back streets. You are better off taking a bus there, about a 1/2 hour.
SanGimignano, I was only there as a day trip, went by car. Found it interesting, but very crowded and touristy (by that I mean lots and lots of shops).
I suggest looking at youtube videos, with your kids, and let them help decide.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
Have you thought about possibly picking the car up at the Florence airport, rather than the train station? The airport is just a short taxi ride away from historical center, maybe about 15 minutes if the traffic isn't awful. That might be a lot easier than driving from the train station.
Unless you really want to have the opportunity to drive in Italy, I would consider getting the car for only one day to go to your cooking class. Other local destinations – Lucca, Siena, Fiesole, San Gim, Pisa, and even Assisi – are easily done by train or bus. Using public transportation means you won't have to worry about parking (which can be challenging), or tickets for speeding or entering restricted driving zones.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8371 posts
Hertz has a location about 2 miles from the Florence train station, and you can get there quickly by taxi. It's on Sansovino. Check with Hertz direct and through AutoEurope specifying that location. Choose which ever is cheaper.
We especially enjoyed Volterra, San Gimignano (late afternoon) and Certaldo. We found parking difficult to find in Siena, and it was very congested. Lucca's north of Pisa and not close to Tavarnelle which is south and east of Florence a relatively short distance.
We stayed outside San Gimignano on an agriturismo after a long weekend in Florence, so chickens, wine and olive trees were just outside our door. And for the most part, we did our own cooking.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
9 posts
Charlotte,
You Tube is a great idea. And letting the kids decide is perfect. Thanks for those tips.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
9 posts
David, Thank you for the specific recommendation -- and the tip to head further away via taxi to pick up a car.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
9 posts
Sherry, I appreciate your tip and will also look into the train for a day trip. It certainly feels more relaxing. I am used to the hassles of parking in a congested city and it is one of the the things I like least about living in Chicago. I certainly do not relish doing it Italy.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would stay country for a few days if you are getting a car.
27th Arrive Florence (2 nts)
28th Florence sights
29th Pick up hire car and drive to accomm near Tavarnelle (3 nts)
30th Pasta making class
31st Excursion to San Gimignano/Volterra
1st Drive to Siena, return car and train to Florence (1 nt)
2nd Depart Florence
Posted by
Oakhurst, CA, USA
101 posts
I just want to pipe in for a restaurant recommendation in Florence. Cipolla Rossa on Via dei Conti is a lovely osteria that has the best food we've ever tasted. The salame and artichoke heart starter melts in your mouth. Their home made pasta dishes are not to be missed. If you like spicy food you must try the gnocchi in a goat cheese and spicy salame sauce. We've sent numerous friends to this restaurant on their trips to Florence and they each come back singing its praises. I hope you can make it and enjoy it as well!
Posted by
Chicago
2124 posts
The line 370 bus could take you to Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa in about an hour, but where in Tavarnelle is the question?
Personally if it were me I'd take the bus and ask the people giving the class whether there would be someone to pick you up at the bus station. This is with the caveat that in two trips to Italy I have not rented a car yet, and probably would not do so in winter anyway. Different strokes, though, might be worth the adventure! If you do drive, however, a few km east of Tavarnelle is the Montagliari Winery in Greve-in-Chianti, where in 2010 we took a fabulous cooking class and a tour of their winery.
Also, I'd make Tavarnelle a daytrip, staying in Florence (which is a great base of operations), preferably near the Florence S.M.N. train station where you can easily take more daytrips to Lucca or Pisa by train, or Siena or Fiesole by bus.
Enjoy!