Hello!
My partner and I will be in Italy this August/September (15 full days), and I'd love some experienced eyes on our itinerary. We had to cancel our honeymoon in 2020, so this is a do-over for us!
We are fairly experienced travelers, but it will be our first time to Italy. We like having 1-2 key things to do each day, with the rest of the time left to wander and take it easy. We also firmly believe that there were always be a next time for any place we go, so we don't need to see "everything" on a single visit.
We both love food (my partner is a huge carnivore and a fan of frozen desserts, so is super excited for Bistecca and gelato) and time outside. I'm into art and history, but I'd prefer one slow wander through a museum for four hours than try to hit three museums in one day.
Plan:
- 8/24: Arrive FLR airport about 2:30pm; taxi to airbnb in Oltrarno near Ponte Vecchio, wander around Oltrarno and get gelato and dinner
- 8/25: Florence walking tour (I'd prefer a guided tour if folks have strong recommendations, otherwise we'll do a self-guided one), afternoon tickets to Uffizi; picnic dinner at Piazzale Michalangelo. Better to flip Uffizi and walking tour?
- 8/26: Duomo group, climb the Campanile; Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio and lunch at Marketo Centrale; maybe shop in afternoon (I'd love to get a leather purse)
- 8/27: Check out of Airbnb, pick up rental car near SMN train station; lunch and a wine tasting somewhere between Florence and Pienza; check into hotel (La Moscadella)
- 6 full days at La Moscadella: in addition to some of the activities through the hotel (pasta making, olive oil tasting, etc), we'd like to do day trips to hill towns. I was thinking Cortona & Montepulciano one day; Pienza, San Gimignano, and Voltera one day (too ambitious?); a full day each at Montalpulciano and Siena. That would give us two extra days for hot springs (unless it's too hot to visit them in August--I'm concerned about that), relaxing at the hotel, and a bike trip and/or walk on part of the Via Francigena.
- 9/3: Drive back to Florence, drop off car, take train to Modena and taxi to Maria Luigia (dinner there--this is the B&B run by Massimo Bottura, and dinner is fixed menu from Osteria Francescana)
- 9/4: Taxi back to Modena, explore Modena for a few hours, train to Bologna
- Two full days in Bologna; we want to do a food tour in town and a production for parmigiano reggiano, balsamic, and parma ham. Will probably do self-guided old town tour
- 9/7: Train back to Florence. Probably just wander + long dinner this day
- 9/8: Pitti Palace and Boboli gardens; shopping for any last things we want to pick up
- 9/9: Fly out of FLR at noon
Particularly seeking advice on:
Trains
- I'm nervous about booking a train to Modena in advance, given we have to drop off the car. Tips on how much time to allow? If we plan to return car by 1, would a 2 or 2:30 train be okay? Not sure how long car return might take.
- I think the Modena -> Bologna train leg counts as regional. How can I tell? And if that's the case, can I avoid prebooking so we can take whatever train makes the most sense on the day?
Things to do
- Any feedback on proposed plan welcome!
- My Florence days might be light; should we add more?
- Suggestions on hilltowns, including if you'd sub any in.
- Hot springs in August--will we die? lol
- Would love recommendations for walking tours and food tours in Florence and Bologna,
Things to eat
- Always looking for food recommendations. We'll do our research, but love hearing about standout food experiences from others
- Wondering if anyone has taken this tour or has an alternative rec: https://www.viator.com/tours/Bologna/Italian-Food-Experience-in-Bologna-Parmigiano-Reggiano-Factory-Visit-Wine-and-Vinegar-Tasting-and-Lunch/d791-7174P1
- My partner loves biking; if you have suggestions for a bike tour or rental place in Tuscany or Bologna, would love to hear it