Florence vs Farmhouse in Tuscany

Sumayya I think you need to figure out what you want to do or experience. Florence is an art museum town, compact and easy to get around. If you are going during the summer (can't remember), it will be very crowded. If you are more interested in exploring the Tuscan countryside which is beautiful then do Tuscany. IMHO, you can wander iTuscany if you want or stay at lovely hotel/agritourismo and is likely to be slower and more romantic. And of course, wine tours are easier from there. I would also suggest somewhere other than Lucca. An agritourismo outside of Siena or near Cortona would be great. Check on the other threads on the Helpline Italy to find recommendations. Buon Viaggi! Bobbie

What a choice! We love Florence so much we can never get enough of it, so I'd vote for that. A farmhouse would be lovely, but all that art and food in Florence is too much of a lure. And people who say you can just drive into Florence for a day trip have never tried to do it. We've managed to get hopelessly lost three times trying.

I personally love Florence Lucca is charming but I personally would be bored there after a day or two perhaps another location in Tuscany would be more interesting
any way you can do both?

Hi Sumayya, When it comes to Art, Florence is practically second to none. With that being said, I always find Florence like an American college town. Everyone speaks english, lots of graffitti and it smells like sewage. I've tried 3 times to love that town, and the best that I can do is develop a small, short lived crush. An agriturismo in Tuscany, however, it almost love at first sight for me. The vineyards, olive groves, tiny towns, mellow driving... Who wouldn't want all of that? I've stayed in Agriturismos outside of Montepulciano and Montalcino, and both areas are spectacular. Great wine access, and close to TONS of Tuscan towns.
Like Bobbie mentioned earlier, though, you really need to decide what type of trip you'd like to have (why not both?). Tuscany and Rome are my two guarantees when visiting Italy, and I've tried Florence every time up to now. My next trip I might skip it and see if I miss it. Likely not. Tuscany? I wouldn't dream of skipping it...

Different kind of experience...but I agree with those who can spend a little time in Florence and be happy. I have been there about five times now and spending one day each time was just fine with me... but, give me the Tuscan countryside and I am never ready to leave. When Italy calls to me it is the villages and small hillside towns overlooking the vineyards. It is the town where almost no one speaks English and I can simply just sit and enjoy being.... I also agree that there might be other towns I would prefer to Lucca (although I did like it) But, wherever I am in Tuscany I can drive from village to vineyard and NEVER be bored.