Hello! Traveling in March with my friend and our teen daughters. 3 nights Rome, 5 nights Tuscany/Umbria, 2 nights Venice, 3 nights Paris. We were planning to stay in Spello 2 nights, then 3 nights in an agriturismo near Florence (Figline Valdamo area).
Now I am wondering if we should instead do the agriturismo 3 nights, then 2 nights in Florence. Then we can train to Venice. We plan to have a car in Tuscany area. We just want a great base for touring hilltowns. Any thoughts??? Thanks!
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Having been to Florence twice to visit college students (one mine, one my best friend's) I would recommend taking the teen daughters to Florence. The charm of the Piazza della Signoria at night is indescribable! Acapella opera singers, fountains lit at night, the Ponte Vecchio with more jewelry than can possibly be squeezed into small shoulder to shoulder shops, the beautiful artwork of Michelangelo....so many, many
young students walking around, sitting in cafes, eating the fabulous gelato and pizzas. I am remembering teens all too well, and I think they may be "bored" at the agriturismo. We stayed a week both times visiting the students and everyone loved it, both the Moms and the girls. I am assuming you are traveling w/teen girls (?)
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
Just to balance things out, I'd skip Florence all together. Add the extra two nights to Venice. Venice is a wonderful magical place and just two nights there does not do her justice.
Posted by
OP
little rock, ar, usa
62 posts
I do love Venice! My friend was told not to spend too much time there, but I really liked it! I just can't decide what to do. I want to show them everything and that just can't be done!!!
Posted by
Land of La
8677 posts
I'd opt for more time in Florence and Venice, less at the agriturismo. Much more to keep them busy in those fabulous cities than at the agriturismo. Just a thought. What interests have your daughters expressed? Art? Food? Shopping?
Posted by
Austin
973 posts
I think March might be too chilly to really enjoy a agriturismo, especiallly if this weather continues. We've had a pretty warm winter in the south, you know; one of my friends was just there and was as cold as has EVER been. YMMV, but I'd rather be in the country in the spring,summer, or fall..... and enjoy time in the city walking around. Either Florence or Venice would seem safe to let the teens walk by themselves, I'd give more time to Venice but also see Florence.
Posted by
OP
little rock, ar, usa
62 posts
Okay, planning 4 nights in Florence, add one to Venice for 3 nights there. We like renting apartments. Any ideas on good locations to look for? What about day trips from Florence? Should we get a driver to take us through the hilltowns? My husband is usually my driver. I would be happy to drive. What do you guys think?
thanks!
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
You can get to most of the hill towns by public transportation (bus leaves you closer to the city center than trains, usually). Spello is beautiful, so are Montalcino, Montepulciano, Todi, Siena.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11329 posts
Debbie,
For apartments try VRBO.com or Homelidays.com. Good luck!
Posted by
Carbondale, IL, USA
1201 posts
In Venice we have used these folks with good luck: www.veniceapartments.org These people also get good reviews: www.viewsonvenice.com We like the area in Castello around campo Santa Maria Formosa and the area in Dorsoduro around the Accademia.
Posted by
Land of La
8677 posts
Day trip from Florence? Pisa.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
53 posts
I can't say for teenagers in Florence but we saw many young/teens in Siena and I'd rather had spent more time in Siena than Florence. We spent two nights in Florence and wish we had only spent one. We used Siena as a home base to travel to the hill towns like Pienza, Montepulciano and Asciano. I'd take the 3 nights in Siena to use as a home base for the hill towns and then add a night to Venice and Rome.