My husband and I are planning a month long stay in Florence early this summer. We have reserved a small 2 room apt in a villa just below the Fiesole hills on the outskirts of Florence. We do not want to rent a car. We're interested in music and art, and getting to know the culture of the region, including cooking most of our own meals. I would greatly appreciate any advice and suggestions that those of you familiar with the area, can give us. Also any tips that might help us keep our expenses down. Thank you in advance!
A month in Florence-no car
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Buses and trains are pretty cheap to the smaller towns in much of Tuscany. You can easily reach places like Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Greve, etc. for day trips (about 7€ one way).
The Florence Tourist Board website has lists of events, etc.
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/events-in-florence.html
For Tuscany:
http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/intoscana2/export/TurismoRTen/
You might want a bus/tram pass since you are staying in Fiesole.
http://www.ataf.net/en/fares/season-tickets/normal-monthly-ticket.aspx?idC=83&IdCat=5815&idO=5853&LN=en-US
I am in Florence now without a car, it has been no problem. We have taken the bus and train everywhere. We also think the prices in Florence are very reasonable. The food is great! I love the home made pici pasta with tomato sauce
There is a summer festival each year in Fiesole
the website in italian is
http://www.estatefiesolana.it
you should be able to get it in translation. there are many listings and you will find some free events and others at low cost.
Another site for listings of what's one including free music etc is
http://tuscany.angloinfo.com/whatson/select/4-5-0/live-music/music-classical-and-opera/in-tuscany/from-today
If you are planning on visiting the Uffizi and the Academy, book it in advance so you know you will have a ticket and will not have to wait in a long line just to buy a ticket. The other museums are not quite as busy.
Check with the museums- I believe there is a free night near the end of the month, perhaps the last Tuesday or Wednesday. It was so when I was there in spring 2011. The musuems were open til 10pm that evening, no fee, and they were practically empty~!!
You will love Florence!
The local bus in Florence is cheap and convenient. I can't imagine a whole month in Florence, however.
One thing: Take the local bus, from the terminal, up the hill to Piazza Michealangelo. The view of Florence from up there is stunning and it's a nice, cool respite from the crowds of the city.