I am thinking perhaps we should stay outside Florence and do day trips to Florence and nearby areas. Can anyone suggest a nice nearby town to stay in? I am looking at Fiesole, Prato and Pistoia, but am open to any suggestions. Thanks!
Posted by
Asnieres sur Vegre, France
127 posts
Fiesole is a delightful town with good and easy transportation into Florence. It has some nice restaurants and I am sure that you would enjoy its calm and quiet atmosphere after the noise that is in Florence.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Florence is a good base for trips to nearby areas. Prato is quiet and plain, but on the main train line to nearby areas. Fiesole is nice but has no direct transportation connections, so you'll have a 25-30 minute bus ride to the train station every time you want to visit a nearby area. Haven't stopped in Pistoia, so can't comment on it. Siena would also be a good choice, although it's about twice the travel time from Florence as the others. Edit: I see from another of your posts that you'll have a car during your stay in Florence. In that case, you might also consider Greve. A friend stayed there a couple of years ago and she loved it.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
Siena and use a rental car for day trips around Tuscany except for a trip to Florence take the bus an option?
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
My vote would be for Siena as well!
Posted by
naches, wa, usa
182 posts
i think siena is a great choice as noted. however, florence is my favorite european city, not just in italy but you get it. why not stay in florence? i use the train, so using a car is probably different and requires parking inside the ring roads. but florence has so much more to see. i love siena and san gimigano but florence? come on. have fun, be safe. jeff
Posted by
OP
Denver
31 posts
Hi Jeff - Well, I was thinking it would be nice to stay in sort of a suburb of Florence - not as far as Siena, more like Fiesole. What's the advantage of staying in the city? I guess I'm not much of a city person, plus we have a car. I thought we could spend the days in Florence and go "home" to the suburbs in the evening. Bad idea?
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
If you do opt for Fiesole I can suggest the Villa Bonelli as a place to stay.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
If you have a car, Fiesole is perfect. When you want to go into Florence, be sure to park outside the city or take the bus from Fiesole.
Posted by
Ventura, CA, USA
297 posts
Fiesole is a very nice town. We stay at the Pension Bencista in Fiesole. It's about short bus ride to Florence. Wonderful B&B and great food. The owner and staff are very nice. http://www.bencista.com/main.php It has spectacular views of Florence from the back of the house. Five minute ride to the actual town of Fiesole which is charming.