We are planning our 1st European Vacation (family of 4; 2 girls 10 & 17) -late Aug/Sept. Paris, Venice, Florence, CT, Rome. I'm planning where we will stay and Florence is up. We will arrive from Venice, 8/30 and check out for CT 9/3. So, that gives us 3 full days. I read the RS what to do in Florence in (1 day, 3, days, etc..) We will not need to see everything in Florence and would love to check out the country side.. So maybe 1 1/2 to 2 days in Florence (staying in the historical center) and then do we just do day trips or an overnight trip -- to where? My husband imagines staying in the hills overlooking florence (me, I have no idea what hill that would be- but it sounds lovely!) After Paris and Venice, we see this as an opportunity to slow things down a little - not try to see everything.. Any suggestions or ideas? (where to stay outside of Florence? Do we stay in the historical part - or just outside of that and bus in everyday?- Maybe we shoot for following RS 1day plan and spend the rest in the country side?) Thank you for any ideas!!
Posted by
Seattle
544 posts
I was in Florence as part of RS Best of Europe tour. We stayed at an agritourismo called "Villa Il Crocicchio" outside of town that had it's own wine, good food and a nice pool. I think there are a lot of similar places in the region.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
I'd suggest staying in Florence as that will not only make it easier to get to the sights you do want to see, but will also provide easy access to restaurants and other facilities. The atmosphere is very vibrant in the evenings, with excellent street musicians and other performers. Florence is also an excellent "home base" for day trips to other locations, and both Siena and Lucca are very easy trips from there.
With such a short time frame I wouldn't bother staying "in the hills overlooking Florence", as that will add to your transportation time and cost. You could visit Fiesole for a few hours one day, as that's "in the hills" above Florence.
Hopefully you have accommodations booked in the Cinque Terre by now?
Posted by
OP
Seattle
83 posts
Thank you!!! Ken, yes, I have all of our accommodations set up elsewhere. CT was first on the list. Hotel FrancaMaria.. I will definitely check out the agritourisimo. That may be a great idea esp. with our 10 year old!!
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
Stay in town, visit Piazzale Michelangelo for your hill top view of Florence. You will recognize it immediately as the place where most Florence photos are taken from.
How are you getting around to see the countryside and Tuscany? I like driving but you may not. Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca, all easily reachable from Florence, regardless of transport. San Gimi is the most awkward by public transport.
Lucca is directly in your path from 5 Terre to Florence. Maybe a night there before training in to Florence. Stop off at Montecatini on the way and have a coffee.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16239 posts
Unless you have a car you should stay in Florence. If you want to take day trips around just find accommodations not to far from the SMN station.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
83 posts
I love all of these ideas to consder! I'm really enjoying the adventure of figuring our trip out with your help! we have no probkems renting a car! one more fun experience in our travels. I'm already seeing that I know we will be back.
Posted by
la rioja
622 posts
Last September we spent a week in an agroturismo just outside of Empoli, with a 13 y.o. and a 10 y.o. Three of the days we went to Florence, one to Sienna and one to Pisa.
Just a couple of thoughts:
There are frequent trains from Empoli to Florence.
As everyone will tell you buy your tickets the museums in advance.
You say late Aug/Sept. We were there the first week in Sept. and our friends were in the same agroturismo, three weeks earlier and they paid almost double. Also they had temps in the mid 90s and lots of humidity. We spent the whole week at 80-82 degrees and normal humidity.
While being in the city does have it's advantages for restaurants, the agroturismo has other attractions. I usually am the first one up, and I would make my espresso while everyone was waking up, go out and sit in the garden and watch the countryside come to life. For me it was one of the biggest pleasure of the trip.
Also, we would have dinner in the agroturismo. So before going home we would stop in a deli that had scrumptious looking food and load up.
Posted by
616 posts
I would agree to Ken's suggestions. Regarding where to stay, I would not limit myself to staying near SMN station as the entire historical centre is within walking distance from the station. From my apartment via Maggio, it takes me 15 min walk and about the same time with D. Bus departing from Piazza Pitti to SMN station.