Florence as a home base

We haven't used Florence, but we've been traveling that way for years. We choose a city for a week and travel out to other places from there. This year we're using Bologna as a base to visit Florence, Ravenna, Padua, etc. Choose a hotel or apartment with easy access to the train station. Perhaps if you list where exactly you want to visit, you'll get answers.

I read your previous question and Harold's excellent answer. I think he's absolutely right about taking the train to Milan the afternoon before flying out to see the Last Supper and then leaving from Milan. As for the cooking tour or a tour of Tuscany, you can find those on Trip Advisor and read the reviews to see which is best for you.

Hi Ruby!! Yes, we used Florence as a base for a 2-week stay in Italy several years ago, as recommended to me by a native Italian friend. From Florence we did several day trips either by train or by Sita bus system: Siena, Rome, Venice, San Gimignano, Pongibossi, Cortona, Camucia, etc . Florence was very convenient with tons to see and do and after a couple of days, we felt right at home. Good luck!

I have used Florence as a home base for two trips to Tuscany. It's a transportation hub! There are buses and trains that will take you all over. Also there are tour companies that offer trips to wineries, etc. Florence, itself, is absolutely beautiful with a lot to see and do. Don't forget pretty little Fiosole -- so close by local bus. Siena, a 45 minute bus ride away also. Florence is the perfect choice, especially if you do not feel the need for a car (I don't)

Florence is the best home base in Tuscany if you want to travel by public transportation.
I stayed in Florence for about a month and was able to visit Siena, Lucca, Parma and Bologna. Florence is at the juncture where you can go to Liguria (west), Umbria or onward to Lazio (south), Emilia Romagna (north), etc. Closer to town, there is a local bus that goes into the hills above Florence to the town of Fiesole (as Donna mentioned). You can also go for a day trip to the Italian discount outlets from a SITA bus that picks up near the Santa Maria Novella train station. There are so many places to go from Florence. Buon viaggio!

Buses can get you to many places, especially if you just have one destination each day. Connecting more than one town by bus takes more planning at the bus station. Don't expect buses on Sunday to any but the busiest destinations (e.g., Siena).

Ruby,

Florence makes a great "home base" for exploring other locations in Tuscany. It's a transportation hub, so has good access with both trains and buses. I spent about a week there last June and really enjoyed my time there (and of course the great restaurants). There's lots to see in and around Florence as well, such as Fiesole as someone else mentioned (it's just up the hill and provides some great views).