In past visits, I've never been able to drag myself away from Florence for a day trip anywhere. This time, I probably will. So I'd like to know your favorite day trips from Florence. I'm leaning towards Sienna and Milan. (And, on the trip I'll have night(s) in Venice, Ravenna, Assisi, and Citta di Castello.) And I'm wondering if Milan is a feasible day trip from Florence; train time looks do-able; I'd be visiting the Duomo, Baptistry, and the Brera gallery.
Thanks!
Posted by
Goffstown, NH, USA
7 posts
We did a guided bicycle ride from Florence through the Chianti region. 13 miles, very mellow, they provide a wonderful lunch about 1/2 way through, and your tour the Castle di Poppiano and sample their wines and olive oils before the tour. HIGHLY recommended. I booked through Tuscany Bike tours.
Posted by
Chicago
24 posts
Or if you're not up to sweating it out on a bike in the Tuscan hills I would highly recommend the Slow day in Tuscany - http://www.slow-days.com But, if you are determined to go from one city, Florence, to another, I would opt for Siena over Milan.
Posted by
Lewisburg, PA, USA
346 posts
OMG! We just casually added Sienna as a bus day trip, and it was FANTASTIC, maybe even our favorite place we visited-barring the "famous" sites around, you know? It was a nice bus ride through beautiful countryside and a great town-if you go, the RS recommended sandwich place is a must and hopefully the busker playing Bach on his accordian will be there. I haven't been other places around Florence, but we really like Sienna.
Posted by
Conneaut, Ohio, USA
11 posts
Siena and San Gimignano is a great day trip (especially if you're driving). SG can be a little touristy, but it's very quaint and peaceful up in the hills. They also make a white wine that's their specialtypretty good but the name escapes me. Starts with a "V". It's about halfway to Siena from Florence. Siena is simply unbelievable...nowhere else like it. Try the panforte. Milan is definitely do-able from Florence, my wife and I did it. The only thing is, if you want to do it reserve your train at least a week or two in advance. The Eurostar fills up quickly, and the slower local trains aren't going to be good for a day trip. Keep an eye out for the peddlers in the Duomo square and elsewhere; they're more aggressive in Milan than anywhere else in Italy that I saw. They just won't go away. I'd suggest a guided tour; we took a great one through lastsuppertickets.com (I think it's Dark Horse tours or something like that) and it was great. Got in to see DaVinci's Last Supper, too.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
That white wine Chris refers to was probably Vernaccia.
Posted by
Conneaut, Ohio, USA
11 posts
Yes, that was the wine! There's also a gelateria in San Gimignano that makes Vernaccia-flavored gelato.