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First Time in Italy - Options

Posted by (Twin Cities, MN, USA) on

My husband is going to Italy in mid-March on a business trip to Sansepolcro, and I get to tag along. (Woohoo!)

We will be arriving in Florence, and, all in all, we'll end up with 9 days and nights to explore Italy with 3 days in Sansepolcro, non-negotiable, and a flight out on the 10th day.

We will be in Florence by noon on the Friday we arrive and planned to stay until we have to be in Sansepolcro by 4 PM on Monday. My husband will be in meetings in Sansepolcro from Monday at 4 PM through Wednesday evening, which means I will have Monday evening through Wednesday to explore that region. Has anyone ever visited that area? Thoughts on what I should do?

We will then have Thursday-Saturday free, but need to be back in Florence for an early flight on Sunday morning.

Since it's our first time in Italy, we're trying to decide what to do with those three days. We could go back to Florence, explore Sienna & Pisa, make a trip up to Cinque Terre (although the trains are apparently being repaired), or do something crazy like try to squeeze in Venice.

We also could flip the trip, and arrive in Florence and go somewhere else entirely before heading to Sansepolcro so that we spend our last three days in Florence.

I feel there is just an embarrassment of options and not sure what makes the most sense. Admittedly, I love the IDEA of Cinque Terre, being on the ocean and taking things at a slower pace for a couple of days before we leave. But with the train problem, I'm not sure if that's still a good idea.

We are entirely open to ideas. Except for those 3 days in Sansepolcro, we are negotiable. How would you do it if you were in the same situation? Delve deeper into fewer cities? Catch as many sights as possible in what amounts to 6 days? Do the touristy thing in Florence and then find a nice village to escape to for few days?

Nice problem to have.

Oh yes - and we are definitely budget travelers...that's important!!!

Posted by
1078 posts

Are you city mice or country mice? Where you will be is 70km to Guibbio, +/- 110km to Assisi, ect, the hill towns of Umbria. You can check out monasterystays.com for accommodations in that area. Another thought is do you have to fly in and out of Florence, because you are in striking distance of Rome. You could start in one and end in another. What a feast!

Posted by
1201 posts

Since you have an early flight from FLR, I am tempted to leave the Florence portion of your trip till the end. You will probably want to stay somewhere within reasonable travel distance from the airport. Florence fits the bill.

The problem is where to go for the first three nights.

Were you going to rent a car or did you want to use public transport? If you rent a car or would take the bus, then I'd suggest siena for the first three nights then on to Sansepolcro. I believe it's about 1n hour and half. You would go to Arezzo and then to Sansepolcro.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks so much for your suggestions so far.

We do have to fly into Florence (already booked) and we'd like to stick to rail if at all possible, but aren't opposed to a car if necessary for a couple of days.

I know it's a wishy-washy answer, but we're open to both country and city. Sansepolcro is pretty small and Florence is obviously large, something that is a change of pace from both would be nice to create variety on the trip. Ideally - we'd like to see some water. That's why were considering either Venice or Cinque Terre.

Posted by
1201 posts

The problem is that Sansepolcro is sort of in the middle of no where for the Italian train system. Almost every connection in the north will route you through Florence and then to Perugia, then backtrack up to Sansepolcro.

there does not appear to be a viable option that gets you there in time for the meeting from the CT.

Venice is doable but barely. It's an almost 7 hour train ride from Venice, getting you there at 15:16

Posted by
1201 posts

I have absolutely no problem with suggesting that you go to Venice for the first part of your trip.

It's a two hour train ride on a Eurostar and you'll be in Venice mid to late afternoon. Stay the three nights and then just be aware that Monday will be a long travel day.

Try www.veniceapartments.org for apartment rental. they do have places you can get for 3 nights.

Posted by
7737 posts

Anghiari is a charming hilltop town that's a straight shot up from Sansepolcro, just minutes away. It has amazing views of the valley and lots of charming shops and excellent restaurants with typical local food.

http://www.anghiari.it/new-english/

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