My June itinerary currently is Positano 5 nights (4 days), Rome 5 nights, Tuscany 7 nights, Venice 3 nights and Varenna (Lake Como) 2 nights.
The Tuscany portion which has 7 nights is divided as:
- Pienza: 2 nights (pick up car in Rome, free parking available on-site)
- San Gimignano: 2 nights (free parking available on-site)
- Florence: 3 nights (drop off rental car before the stay begins)
I am realizing that rental car charges are almost the same whether I book for 2 days, 4 days (as per current plan) or 7-8 days. Also since it is 4 of us (family with 2 older teenagers), instead of dropping off the car while arriving in Florence, it would probably be extremely convenient to just continue using the rental car for the Florence to Venice journey. However, for this to make sense, we need to have a free parking at the hotel / apartment we stay in Florence and probably stay a bit outside the Florence city center. Overall it may cost us slightly more but perhaps it may be a bit more convenient than the train.
Is there a neighborhood in Florence or just outside Florence you can recommend which could satisfy the criteria? Outside Florence, Fiesole seems interesting as it has nice views of Florence.
I have tentatively booked a hotel in Fiesole (Pensione Bencistà) which seems to have a high rating and great views of Florence. The idea is that the night of arrival, we can leave San Gimignano, visit Pisa (check out the leaning tower) and arrive late afternoon in Fiesole - enjoy the sunset from the hotel and have an early night. The next day, we visit Florence. It will take us 25-30 minutes one way. The following day, if we want we can come back to Florence or just relax in Fiesole.
We are less interested in museums than walking in the city for view points (Piazzale Michelangelo, Ponte Vecchio, etc.) and just enjoying walking around. My main interests are photographing the city scapes.
Is Fiesole a good choice? Are there any other neighborhoods which could fit the criteria (possible to park the car and be near enough to the city - maybe even more near than Fiesole).
Of course, the other option is continue with the current plan (drop off the rental car on entering Florence) and staying in Florence city center (I have not canceled my existing reservation).