Hello Italy team, heading to Tuscany in early October for about 8-10 nights. We 3 senior women are hoping for advice on a trip aimed at slower pace. We don't plan to stay in too many places so are looking for a few towns to spend multiple nights..
We will travel by train, bus and taxi. So far we are looking at about 4 nights in Florence as an initial base, then the rest of the time probably in Siena and another Tuscan town. We then catch flight at Florence airport for London.
I've been reading Rick's blogs, this forum and general online hunting and seems clear anywhere we go will be lovely and enjoyable. That said, Volterra is a possible choice. The Roman ruins are a draw but I understand the town is small and many just go for an afternoon. Would 1 or 2 nights be too much? Or, maybe stay at an agriturismo (which sound pretty wonderful) on outskirts so we could spend time there as well.
Or same idea for San Gimignano. I'm noting Rick S warnings about tourist trap and to go later in day. Could we stay at bnb or agrit. in walking distance of town so we could avoid some of the crowds yet have a place to hang out until later in day and we could head to town.
I'm assuming there aren't any easy ways to get to rural lodgings without a car, so we'd need to be just a few kilometers from town.
Or please recommend other towns for multiple-night stays.
Also, would you recommend staying close to Florence airport for final night?
thank you so much.
Posted by
Portland
3607 posts
Trying to stay at an agriturismo without a car is problematic. They are farms; and therefore, in the country. During the day, you may be able to use local buses or call taxis. Some agriturismi offer dinners, or you could arrange for a taxi to pick you up after eating in a restaurant in town. Walking on country roads at night is not advisable.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6216 posts
You need to determine/clarify how many nights you actually have. If just 8 then 2 locations is what you have time for. Florence 4 Siena 4. And since you are leaving from Florence I would go to Siena first then end with your time in Florence. (You don’t say where you are coming from)
No need to stay at airport, Florence is very close to the airport. Tram or fixed rate taxi 22 euros, something like 15-20 min drive or tram ride.
If you have 10 nights then adding a 3rd location is fine. SG and Volterra are accessible by bus (no train in either) but do check the schedules and make sure it works for you, it will be a bit time consuming. SG can be visited as a day trip from Siena instead.
One suggestion is Lucca. Easy train from Florence or Siena (probably change in Empoli and Pisa) It is small-ish town inside the walls, different from Siena and fine for a 2 night stay.
If you don't like 2 night stays then do Siena 3, Lucca 3 and Florence 4.
Staying outside of any of the other small towns means relying on spotty bus service or taxis.
Another suggestion is Montepulciano- this is our favorite hill town. 2.5 hour bus from Siena. Or hire a driver- about an hour drive. Perhaps work in some stops along the way.
If you want Florence first then Siena you could still end in Lucca and get to FLR as long as your flight is not early am. It’s about an hour drive and there are also buses. Might make me a bit nervous but it is doable.
We used this company for a transfer from Lucca just 2 weeks ago and were very pleased.
https://connectotransfers.com
Posted by
OP
Sebastopol, California, United States
85 posts
Great, thank you for the input! We will be coming from London into Florence.
Day tours from our base towns are also probably better ideas to get us to some of these lovely places, as we won't have a car.
Again, appreciate the help!
Posted by
2493 posts
I don't do quaint, but asking for an Agriturismo without a car is a tall order, and the walking into town thing is for me a big ixnay. How about the best boutique hotel you can find in a town, that has good bus or train connections to get those day trips in.
Stepping back from your wishes, one of the greatest draws of staying in Venice, is the joy of the early mornings and the evenings before all the daytrippers arrive and after they depart. To get that peaceful feeling, people will tolerate the crowds in the day time.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6216 posts
Take a look at
www.toursbyRoberto.com
Posted by
OP
Sebastopol, California, United States
85 posts
Thanks for the reality check on agriturismos...maybe another trip with a car.
And I like the idea of staying over in the town and being able to enjoy a place early and late and we can figure out the middle.
Meanwhile, yes, Venice is a treasure. We've all been to Venice and Rome, but not much time in Florence, so that's something I'm really looking forward to - the big stuff and the out-of-way piazzas and wanderings.
Also.. Fiesole seems a good option for part of a day with proximity to Florence and Roman ruins. Any thoughts on going there?
Posted by
seattle
2048 posts
We have often stayed in “country houses” that are lovely, quit and with nice grounds. They often on a bus line or short walk or taxi ride into the town.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15260 posts
If you don’t intend to rent a car, base yourself in Florence and Siena ONLY. Florence is the capital of the Region of Tuscany and its most important transportation hub. Siena is the capital of the Province of Siena, one of Tuscany’s 10 provinces, therefore an ideal hub for the province. All bus lines reaching the famous towns in the Province of Siena, radiate from Siena.
The last night before your flight to London you need to stay in Florence, but you can stay in the historical city center, there is no need to stay near the airport, which is not even that good of an area (not dangerous, but definitely not upscale, basically a working class sleeping community which becomes a ghost area in the evenings). The airport is very close to the city center, and in the morning a taxi can get you there in 10-20 min max (depending on the location of your hotel).
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2123 posts
We spent a wonderful 8 days in an agriturismo just outside of Greve. From there we did day trips. We visited all the towns and cities you mentioned - Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra.
As others have mentioned, staying at an agriturismo without a car will be problematic, though staying out in the country, especially when you plan to be there would be heavenly.
San Gimignano and Volterra are great. I wish we could have spent a day in each, but we did San Gimignano in the morning and Volterra in the afternoon/early evening. It was nice to see the Roman ruins in Volterra, but it isn't that big and can be seen in an hour or so.
I have an alternate plan to suggest. It involves a city not mentioned and we didn't get to visit because of time, though we really wanted to visit. When you arrive in Florence, go immediately to Lucca. Traveling by train will be quick and easy. Spend the first part of your trip there, maybe 3 or 4 nights. Than take the train back to Florence and stay there until you fly out.
You said you want a trip at a slower pace and I think only two locations would be ideal. If you really want to see Siena, there's a great day trip from Florence through the Tuscan countryside available from Walks of Italy. It even includes a stop in San Gimignano!