Hello!
This is our first trip to Italy! We are staying in Rome for 3 days, then up to a neat villa/hotel outside of Cortona for 4 days, then to Venice for 3. From the hotel to Florence is about 90 min by car. Should we do day trips from the villa or cut that part of the hotel to stay a night or two actually IN Florence. Open to any suggestions!:) want to see wineries and hilltop towns as well.
Thank you!!!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would park at the closest station and get the train in - save parking and navigating hassles.
Posted by
Austin
1 posts
I cannot imagine being in Italy, whether 1st or 10th time, and skipping a few days/nights in Firenze. Next to Rome, no other city presents such abundant and well-preserved examples of the treasures of art, architecture and beauty of the high Renaissance. Most are easily accessible by foot, although crowds can be an issue, as with all such popular centers, and unless one loves to be about in 90+ F., visiting in July and August may require regular gelato breaks, not to mention that many hotels lack the air conditioning to which Americans are accustomed. A number of beautifully preserved hilltop towns and wineries are easy day trips by auto (see Rick Steve's Guide for this area). In addition, notwithstanding their multitudes of visitors, the Italian people are gracious and warm hosts.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
wow - thank you for the info! yes, it will be hot in August! :)
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15454 posts
Your stay is probably too short for splitting your nights into two locations. Obviously spending at least a couple of nights in Florence would be ideal, but then how many nights are you left at the villa? If you have a total of 5 nights, then splitting 2 in Florence and 3 at the villa might be ok.
Obviously it's your decision. But in case you decide to visit Florence from the villa on a day trip it is faster and more convenient if you drive to the station in Camucia, and use the train. If you drive to Florence you have to deal with traffic, getting lost, and finding parking.
You can park at the Camucia station parking lot (it's on the other side of the tracks from the station, but there is a pedestrian underpass under the tracks.
If you go by train be aware that the last train back departs from Florence a little after 9pm. If you want to stay late, then it's better if you drive.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Great to know! Thank you! We debated doing 2 nights (or 3) at the. Ills and then taking one night or two for Florence. I'll
Check out where the train is- might be a fun day trip. We also want to tour Tuscany and vineyards for sure.:)
Posted by
69 posts
Your trip sounds similar to ours. We are flying to Rome the end of April and taking the train to Cortona where we will be staying for two weeks. I'm so excited to be visiting Tuscany.
We are going to take the train to Florence and spending two days there if all goes as planned.
We will head back to Rome and spend our last night there. We have stayed in Rome before so we have seen some of the main sights. But there is still so much more.
Have a great time.