Hi. I have been trying to plan carefully with limited time this summer for Italy. Can only spend 7 days. 3 days for Rome already. I really want to go to Florence, Tuscany, and mom wants Milan to see "The Last Supper". Can I make Florence a home base to explore Tuscany for a day or to take a cooking class for the day tour? Has anyone done a cooking class day tour from Florence to Tuscany? Or should I really spend time in Tuscany by itself, even though we are not drinkers? Thank for any feedback.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
The answer depends on what you mean by "explore Tuscany." Your last sentence implies that Tuscany only has wine to offer; there's lots of other reasons people go. If you want to see Lucca, Pisa, Siena, and some other places, these are very easily seen from Florence as daytrips on your own by bus or train. For some other locations, you would need to rent a car for the day, or take a tour. You can certainly find cooking classes in both Florence and other Tuscan locations.
As for Milan and "The Last Supper," make reservations ASAP for an afternoon viewing; then you can take the train in the morning from Florence to Milan, see "The Last Supper" (and other parts of central Milan), spend your last night in Milan, and fly home the next day. I don't know the latest on reservations, but Rick's book will have details.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
388 posts
Hi Ruby, I think Harold's response is well said. I don't think I can add anything to it.