I am looking for a smaller town near Florence to spend a week this summer. I have been to Florence many times and this time would like to try a smaller and less touristed locale. I want to be able to access Florence via train for a day trip as well as visit another near by town or two. Also maybe take a wine tour. Any suggestions on a smaller town, with a good train station and maybe an hour from Florence and accessible to other places. Any suggestions welcome. thank you
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2111 posts
Greve is 45 minutes south of the heart of Florence by bus. We stayed at Castello di Verrazzano , just outside Greve. We found it a great central location to explore Tuscany, as well as being a wonderful winery.
We rented a car, which greatly simplified exploring. If you don't have a car, there are a few other towns on the bus route. If you want to visit places like Siena, Volterra or San Gimignano, you'll probably have to go to Florence to catch a bus or a train.
Posted by
New York, NY
1582 posts
You can stay in Lucca, Chiusi, or Arrezzo. Both towns are near Florence with good Train stations or Bus if you prefer about an hour to commute to. If you stayed in Chiusi, you are just a 20 minute car ride away from Montepulciano. You can take a taxi too there since it is close by.
Posted by
37 posts
We stayed in Bucine several years ago. we rented a house for 3 weeks. It was on the train line to Florence- about 40 min. Near to Sienna, the Chianti region. Arezzo.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32747 posts
Not far away, and I guess not too much smaller - but boy does it all the boxes! Bologna.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
How about Pistoia? It's a beautiful historic town about halfway between Florence and Lucca with good train connections. I did a day trip from Florence earlier this year and really liked it. Great weekly street market too.
Posted by
OP
28 posts
Nigel, thanks for replying but what town are you referring to? thank you
Posted by
San Jose
84 posts
We have stayed in Castellina in Chianti several times and have enjoyed the charming little town. There are some good restaurants, including our favorite pizzeria anywhere, il Fondaccio. It is on the main street across from the Palazzo Squarcialupi Hotel. There are other little shops of interest, especially the leather shop, and a good place to pick up some Chianti souvenirs.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32747 posts
oops - old age strikes again. Bologna!
Previous post corrected.
sorry
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15165 posts
Nigel. Bologna is actually bigger than Florence, both in population and land area.