We are visiting my son who is studying abroad in Florence. We are want to go somewhere for a long weekend - Thursday (late afternoon) through Sunday. Any suggestions? We have been to Cinque Terre, Rome, Sienna before. Maybe somewhere new. Is Naples too far?
Posted by
seattle
2147 posts
Consider Bologna. It's about an hour train ride north of Florence. Feels like a "real" Italian (not many tourists). Many historical sights and wonderful food.
Posted by
Washington DC
28450 posts
From Bologna one can take a day-trip by train to the lovely town of Ravenna, though an overnight there would also be good, because it's not a short train ride. Apparently due to its location, Ravenna is amazingly untouristy, considering the beauty of the town and the presence of seven (!) medieval mosaic sites there. Most of them are right in town and very walkable. The last is a short bus ride out of town.
Posted by
143 posts
If you have 3 nights and want to see the Amalfi coast (like Positano) go for it.
If you want something closer and as spectacular, try driving down to Val d'Orcia in Tuscany and doing the smaller towns of Pienza, Montepulciano...
Posted by
Oakland, CA
124 posts
If it were me, I'd rent a car and spend the time in Chianti visiting wineries and some of the lovely small towns like Greve, Volterra and San Gimignano.
DD
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34247 posts
A long weekend in Venice sounds good to me...
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1245 posts
Depending on your interests, either Venice or Bologna. Since Bologna is a university town, your son may, or may not, want to go there. Can't go wrong with Venice, though!