Staying a week in Tuscany this September and would like suggestions for accommodations. (Doesn’t have to be in Florence but can be)
We’d like to stay the same place for the week, be able to take day trips out using bus transportation as we don’t want to rent a car. We’d like an Airbnb or staying on a turismo or something casual. We love walking, want to connect with locals, want to relax. After the week in Tuscany, we will spend a week in Rome. Thanks for any help.
Posted by
Florida, USA
251 posts
If you do not want to rent a car then you do not want to stay in an agriturismo as most of these properties are located in rural areas and a car is essential.
Staying in Florence will have the advantage of easy travel to surrounding towns - Pisa, Lucca, Siena, etc. and a good connection to Rome at the end of your stay. Personally, I prefer staying in a smaller town, like Siena or Lucca, and if you want to "connect with locals" it is more likely to happen in a small town. There are literally hundreds of Airbnb or VRBO properties available and they are easily searchable on line.
Posted by
11647 posts
Renting a car will give you a much better experience in Tuscany as it is very rural and a car will you give you much greater access to the area.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Charlyn,
Thanks for responding. Yes, I’ve seen hundreds of Airbnb’s for Florence! We stay in Airbnb’s anytime we travel stateside; over the years I’ve learned that online reviews aren’t as accurate as recommendations from friends or travel communities. So I’m hoping someone on this forum has stayed on one in Florence that they absolutely loved!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Siena , might give you an option to stay in this agriturismo. Walking distance to Siena, good bus travel from there. It's received good reviews on this forum.
https://www.agriturismomarciano.it/?act=home
If interested, I can give you a list of towns to discover.
Posted by
California
1625 posts
Hi Cyndi, I am posting a link to the apartment we stayed in while in Florence. I loved that it had a bedroom and a living room, that way my husband could go to sleep while I had a cup of tea (They had a nice selection) and get ready for the next day. The apartment is literally steps away from the Duomo and it is a short walk to the Bus/Train station. It is a really lovely apartment but what made it great was the hosts. I had a problem getting a taxi to take us to the airport very early in the morning, I messaged them for help and they made the Taxi reservation but said that because it was so early sometimes they will not show up and if that happens to call her immediately and she will come pick us up and take us and assured us she will make sure we are ok. The taxi showed up and everything worked out but that kind of care and concern was so appreciated.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Letizia, thank you for the link. We checked it out and it is fully booked through all of 2021. Seemed like our kind of place too. We will keep looking!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Cyndi, here are the towns you can visit from Siena.
These towns are easily accessible by bus and train. Some towns I've combined with others. (B=bus, T=train)
Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa ( B 30m)-San Gimignano (B 35m)-Siena (T 1H05m)
Siena-Montereggioni (B 18m)-Castellina in Chianti (B 30m)
Siena-Radda in Chianti (B 55m)
Siena-Buonconvento (T 28m)-Monteroni d'Arbia
(T 12m)-Siena
Siena-Rapolano Terme (T 37m)-Asciano Mont Oliveto (T 10m)-Siena (T 26m)
Siena-Sinalunga (T 53m)
Siena-San Quirico d' Orcia (B 50m)
Siena-Pienza ( B 1H05m)
Siena-Certaldo (T 39m
Even if you decide on 1 hilltown a day, there's plenty to do. Look at the towns to see what interest you.
Be sure to check return times by bus carefully.
From Florence by train, Lucca, Pisa, Viareggio (beach town combines well with Pisa), Bologna, Pistoia, Montecatini Terme/Alto, Modena, Parma. All are under an hour a few 1:15.