Traveling in late December early January for 12 days in Italy plus 2 days for travel(so 14 day trip). Plan to start in Rome, go north to Florence and visit one of two of these towns - Montepulciano, Siena, San Gimignano. I'd like to stay 3-4 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Florence and the remainder in between as well as travel back to an airport location. Potentially looking at flying in and out of Rome. To maximize travel time and not cram too much into 12 days, would appreciate recommendations on a realistic itinerary including airport to depart from. Was hoping to see a coastal town somewhere along the way also. Thanks for your time and suggestions.
Posted by
Charlotte
60 posts
Hello
I’ve been to Siena and San Gimignano. In my opinion, Siena is a great town to stay while SG is better suited as a day trip.
Good luck
Posted by
New Orleans
1210 posts
If you decide on round trip flights to/from from Rome, I suggest once you land in Rome that you hop a train straight on to Florence, and get one leg of your travel out of the way on what will likely be a jet-lagged day already. I much prefer to limit hotel changes if possible, and keeping all of your Rome nights together will lessen your hotel changes by one. Next: I love Montepulciano and have stayed there twice, once in autumn and once in spring. I don't know how open/active it will be in Dec/Jan, but it's a lovely town, nice wineries, artists' galleries, medieval architecture, etc.. Big question before commenting much else: Are you planning to rent a car, or rely on public transportation?
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1457 posts
Rather than backtracking to Rome to fly home, I highly recommend departing from the Florence airport --- it is small, close to town, and just so easy compared to flying out of all the other Italian airports we've flown out of. It will cost more, but you can stay in your own hotel or apartment in Florence and then just zip to a pleasant airport instead of a long commute from Rome to the huge Rome airport. We took a taxi because it was early in the morning and we were staying on the opposite side of Florence but it was only a 15 minute ride. I believe there is now a tram or metro from the train station to the airport.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I like both of the above ideas. If you can't get a flight into or out of Florence, go from FCO airport right to Florence on arrival. You won't know how long the airport formalities will take, so it's probably best not to pre-book this train ticket. But even at full price it's not too expensive, and this way you can end your trip in Rome, so you're in Rome the night before your flight home.
Posted by
Portland, OR
83 posts
I also agree with the above ideas. Go to your furthest point, Florence, and work back to Rome with your arrival and departure flights from there. Coming from the US, there are no direct flights into Florence, but multiple flights into Rome, so prices will likely be less.
I also agree with the response above about Montepulciano. We have been there many times and it is our favorite town in Tuscany. We have used it as a base and explored both Siena and San Gimignano utilizing a rental car as day trips. We have been there over Christmas and it’s pretty lively until about the 2nd week of January because of the Christmas Market. After that, it does slow down a bit – but shops and restaurants are still open.
If you need any B&B or restaurant suggestions, just let me know and we’d be happy to share them. Have a great time!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
With 12 nights, I'd fly into Rome, head immediately by train to Florence. There are 2 direct trains to Florence at 11:08 and 3:08.
If these times don't work, take the Leonardo Express into Rome and travel to to Florence from there.
4 nights...Florence, several day trips by train in under an hour. Bologna, Prato, Pistoia, Montecatini Terni/Alto Pisa, the beach town Viareggio and Lucca at 1:17. By bus Greve.
4 Nights Siena...day trips by bus bus to San Gimignano, Castellina, Radda. By train Buonoconvento. By train/bus ( Siena-Chiusi then bus Chiusi-Montepulciano.). Do this last as it puts you at the Chiusi station to connect to Rome.
Rome 4 nights.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks for everyone's reply. So helpful! I found somewhat reasonable fares flying into Rome and flying out of Florence back home, arriving into Rome on Christmas eve.
I have not booked my travel yet so still debating on if it makes more sense to go to Florence or Rome 1st.
I'm assuming with the Christmas eve(Pope's mass) combined with jet lag it might be very busy in Rome for a Dec 24th arrival and bit crazy with people but maybe in Rome might be good to do on Christmas eve.
Any experience with this or thoughts?
Thanks
Posted by
3 posts
If you fly out of Rome, I suggest staying the night near the airport so you don't have to worry about travel to the airport the day of your flight. It takes a good 30 minutes by train to the airport (if you choose that method of transport).