Should we stay in Florence or hillside towns in Tuscany?
May 5th, 2011, 08:15 PM
#1
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Should we stay in Florence or hillside towns in Tuscany?
I need some help. My husband and I are traveling to Italy for the first time in the end of Sept. We are flying into Rome for 5 nights, then CT for 2 nights, Florence/Tuscany 5 nights and lastly Venice for 2 nights. My big question is whether to stay in Florence for all 5 nights or find one/two hillside towns to stay in. The reason we are thinking about Florence for the entire 5 nights is we have hotel points for the Westin and we are trying to avoid moving hotels too much. BUT my concern is we would enjoy the experience more in the countryside. We are 30yrs old and love food, wine. Not as crazy about the museums and art right now. Would love to do winery tours and maybe cooking classes. My question is do you get the same experience day tripping by bus or train from Florence to San Gimigano, Siena, Montepulciano, etc? Thank you in advance for your help and advice!
May 5th, 2011, 08:39 PM
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Hi,
As you are clear that you love wine and food, staying at the country side would be much better, right? It will give you an opportunity to interact with the residents there and observe their lifestyle. Chianti is the place internationally known for wine production. You might want to visit the place
I am just back from trip to England and received my letter from American airways for a job. I m glad to share my knowledge about Tuscany an wish a happy journey!!
As you are clear that you love wine and food, staying at the country side would be much better, right? It will give you an opportunity to interact with the residents there and observe their lifestyle. Chianti is the place internationally known for wine production. You might want to visit the place
I am just back from trip to England and received my letter from American airways for a job. I m glad to share my knowledge about Tuscany an wish a happy journey!!
May 5th, 2011, 08:52 PM
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As long as I avoided restaurant targeting unsuspecting tourists, the food and wine in any town in this region have been excellent. So I don't think these two factors drive the decision in themselves.
The cooking class, however, will do. I think way before you select where to stay, look into where you want to take the cooking class. Florence, of course, has such classes. However, they are offered at various villas in Tuscany. If you enroll in a multi-day program, that pretty much dictates where you will be staying. Some have local tour options, such as winery tour to go with it. Also, is your husband doing the cooking class also? If the class is in an isolated villa, what would he do while you are in the class?
The cooking class, however, will do. I think way before you select where to stay, look into where you want to take the cooking class. Florence, of course, has such classes. However, they are offered at various villas in Tuscany. If you enroll in a multi-day program, that pretty much dictates where you will be staying. Some have local tour options, such as winery tour to go with it. Also, is your husband doing the cooking class also? If the class is in an isolated villa, what would he do while you are in the class?
May 6th, 2011, 04:26 AM
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Day-tripping into the countryside will certainly not provide the same feeling/experience as staying there. There is much to be experienced with the freedom of your own car and open schedule that you simply will not get with an organized day trip. I like Montepulciano as a base (Villa Poggiano is a favorite, but there are tons of great places to stay). You could also stay further north in Chianto (Greve, Gaiole) or a bit further west near San G if that town in particular interests you. Cooking classes are available all over Tuscany (as well as in Florence.)
That's not to say I would skip Florence. It's one of my favorite cities and I will return any chance I get. But staying in rural Tuscany is a fantastic experience.
I would skip the CT this trip and save it for a return. I'm not knocking it at all. We were there last May for 4 nights and loved every minute of it. It's just a bit less accessible and takes you out of the way on the Rome-Florence-Venice route.
I would do 4 nights Rome, 4 nights Tuscany, 3 nights Florence, 3 nights Venice. I think you'll appreciate the 4 nights in the country since the rest of your trip is in cities.
Do what feels right. No doubt you'll love it. Don't feel bad about "missing" something you wanted to see - I'm certain you'll go back.
That's not to say I would skip Florence. It's one of my favorite cities and I will return any chance I get. But staying in rural Tuscany is a fantastic experience.
I would skip the CT this trip and save it for a return. I'm not knocking it at all. We were there last May for 4 nights and loved every minute of it. It's just a bit less accessible and takes you out of the way on the Rome-Florence-Venice route.
I would do 4 nights Rome, 4 nights Tuscany, 3 nights Florence, 3 nights Venice. I think you'll appreciate the 4 nights in the country since the rest of your trip is in cities.
Do what feels right. No doubt you'll love it. Don't feel bad about "missing" something you wanted to see - I'm certain you'll go back.
May 6th, 2011, 05:46 AM
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<I would do 4 nights Rome, 4 nights Tuscany, 3 nights Florence, 3 nights Venice. I think you'll appreciate the 4 nights in the country since the rest of your trip is in cities.>
I agree with this suggestion except perhaps would choose 4 nights in Florence and 3 in the countryside.
The Westin Excelsior is fabulous and in a perfect location. If it were me I would use points to stay there.
We don't like driving in Italy and since our primary interests are food and wine, they do not mix well with a car rental anyway. We stay in Florence (about 18 trips now) and day trip.
We prefer mid sized towns and cities for the variety of accommodations and dining available so staying in a small town or village does not appeal to us personally. If you are ok with renting a car then IMO staying in the countryside would be a great choice. But if you like wine and plan to drink with dinner, I would choose a base where you can find options to do so close by.
I agree with this suggestion except perhaps would choose 4 nights in Florence and 3 in the countryside.
The Westin Excelsior is fabulous and in a perfect location. If it were me I would use points to stay there.
We don't like driving in Italy and since our primary interests are food and wine, they do not mix well with a car rental anyway. We stay in Florence (about 18 trips now) and day trip.
We prefer mid sized towns and cities for the variety of accommodations and dining available so staying in a small town or village does not appeal to us personally. If you are ok with renting a car then IMO staying in the countryside would be a great choice. But if you like wine and plan to drink with dinner, I would choose a base where you can find options to do so close by.
May 6th, 2011, 08:56 AM
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Definitely give more time to Venice, the most romantic of cities. Actually I recommend people fly into Venice. It's a low-stress introduction to Italy. And flights from Venice leave so early if you have to make a connection.
As for Florence, it's of most interest to fans of Renaissance art and architecture. You could make a day-trip into Florence from, say, Siena or Arezzo. But that means not using the points. In the Tuscan countryside it's best to have a car. Do you have any plans for driving?
For some people maximizing their use of points makes the trip for them. For me, I want to go where I want to go. And not feel guilty about the money I should be saving. But then I don't like international hotels. I prefer smaller hotels (too small for a tour group) with lots of local character.
As for Florence, it's of most interest to fans of Renaissance art and architecture. You could make a day-trip into Florence from, say, Siena or Arezzo. But that means not using the points. In the Tuscan countryside it's best to have a car. Do you have any plans for driving?
For some people maximizing their use of points makes the trip for them. For me, I want to go where I want to go. And not feel guilty about the money I should be saving. But then I don't like international hotels. I prefer smaller hotels (too small for a tour group) with lots of local character.
May 6th, 2011, 06:47 PM
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If you have a car, stay outside Florence. More value & more beauty outside Firenze. We've stayed in Rufina, Figline & Impruneta on different occasions. Train or bus into Firenze to do the sites. Enjoy the settings & better food outside of Florence. Just my opinion.
May 6th, 2011, 07:02 PM
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i ahve just returned from the area. being outside the cities is the best experience.... BUT florence is unique for sure.... but it has its problems....no driving in the city...car storage fees are high... day trips are ok, but limiting for sure...
at the risk of causing a riot, i would suggest 2 full days in florence...very busy days but without museums it would be sufficient... so i would do some rural towns outside first, then florence, having done a dropoff of your car outside some place ourside the city (airport), and then take the train to venice... i would pick small towns where hotels/inns/B&B's are available cheaper and then go into florence... i would skip the cities like sienna altogether and concentrate on the hill towns...
in CT i would spend 3 days at most...
at the risk of causing a riot, i would suggest 2 full days in florence...very busy days but without museums it would be sufficient... so i would do some rural towns outside first, then florence, having done a dropoff of your car outside some place ourside the city (airport), and then take the train to venice... i would pick small towns where hotels/inns/B&B's are available cheaper and then go into florence... i would skip the cities like sienna altogether and concentrate on the hill towns...
in CT i would spend 3 days at most...
May 6th, 2011, 07:04 PM
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a great place to stay in florence is the dei mori B&B---the most centrally located place i can think of....small rooms and a walk-up but worth it for location...
visit stia for one town... arezzo for another .... assissi... and many more
visit stia for one town... arezzo for another .... assissi... and many more
May 6th, 2011, 09:07 PM
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Definitely spend more time in the countryside as opposed to Florence. And I think its great to add a bit of the coast into your trip. Rent a car and drive wherever you want, very easy. I've done this with my husband on one trip and another time with my best friend. Both times we rented a car when we left Venice and kept it until just before Rome and then took the train into Rome. But personally I'd take one day from Rome and add it to Venice.
May 12th, 2011, 06:41 AM
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Thank you so much everyone for your insight and advice. I really appreciate. Can I ask you a few more questions? If we were to change things up a bit and say in the countryside for maybe 3 nights and Florence for 2 nights. Does it still make sense to go from Rome to CT, then rent a car, stay in Tuscany and drop it off before staying in Florence? Or should we change it up when we visit CT? Also if we stay in the countryside for 3 nights that will mean 5 hotels in 15 days. Is that too many? And the last question, any advice on where to stay in the countryside? THANK YOU so much!!
May 12th, 2011, 09:16 AM
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I think 5 hotels in 15 days is too much, yes. Remember, transferring wipes out a lot of the day. Don't just think about actual train time, think about getting to the station early enogh, waiting for the train, getting to your new hotel at your destination, unpacking again, etc. The CT really adds a lot of travel time getting to and from in any sort of logical fashion. This is why I suggested skipping it above and saving it for another trip (it's worth the visit for sure).
I say stay in Rome, then rent a car for Tuscany. Return the car outside Florence and take the train into the city for a few days. Then train to Venice. That is relatively linear geographically, so travel works out pretty well.
If you feel you really want to do all five I would start off in Rome, take the train up the coast to the CT, train from the CT back to La SPezia or maybe Pisa to pick up a car, drive to Tuscany for a few days, drop the car off outside of Florence and train into Florence and then onto Venice (train). Too busy for me but maybe not you.
I say stay in Rome, then rent a car for Tuscany. Return the car outside Florence and take the train into the city for a few days. Then train to Venice. That is relatively linear geographically, so travel works out pretty well.
If you feel you really want to do all five I would start off in Rome, take the train up the coast to the CT, train from the CT back to La SPezia or maybe Pisa to pick up a car, drive to Tuscany for a few days, drop the car off outside of Florence and train into Florence and then onto Venice (train). Too busy for me but maybe not you.
May 12th, 2011, 09:32 AM
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We stayed in Montepulciano last year and took busses to other hillside towns. Just decided we didn't want to rent a car. We are in Spain right now about to pick up a rental car for long weekend in Dordogne, so we do rent sometimes. We spent 2 nights in Florence, then train to Chuisi and bus (or you can taxi there) to Montepulciano. Worked out really well. I can understand your desire to go to CT. The Ligurian coast is really stunning.
May 12th, 2011, 06:17 PM
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Two lovely places we have stayed in are Poggio Ascuitto in Greve in Chianti, and La Bruciata outside of Montepulciano. We stayed for three nights in Greve and four nights outside of Montepulciano last year. The surrounding villages/hill towns are stunning, but the ambience at these agriturismos make the trip so much more special. You will wake up in the midst of vineyards and olive orchards, have wonderful home cooked breakfasts (and dinners if you choose), and get lots of good tips on day trips in the area. Poggio Ascuitto has cooking classes, as well as wonderful wine and olive oil that we enjoyed while staying there. There are lots of places like this in the countryside, and we were able to take day trips to all of the areas you mentioned above, as well as teeny villages (with winerys) recommended by our hosts off the beaten tourist track.
May 13th, 2011, 05:28 AM
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akovarik, you don't want a car for the CT. The 5 towns are connected by footpath, train, and boat. The roads are inland.
So where do you plan to pick up your rental car? La Spezia, maybe?
I think your plan will work but I still would like to see more time in Venice -- always.
So where do you plan to pick up your rental car? La Spezia, maybe?
I think your plan will work but I still would like to see more time in Venice -- always.
May 15th, 2011, 12:46 AM
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Sounds like a great itinerary. Florence is a great base from where to launch your excursions. There are many companies offering day tours in Chianti, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano and even day trips to Cinque Terre, though it takes a good two hours to get there from Florence. Had you thought about three nights in Florence, then maybe a couple at an agriturismo?
By the time you reach Florence you may be ready to slow down and appreciate the fabulous countryside. There is one 'Slow-food' tour http://www.slow-days.com , which is certainly worth considering.
Venice is a love it or loathe it place, depending on how many tourists are there, what you are expecting etc. Two days may be sufficient.
Buona viaggio
By the time you reach Florence you may be ready to slow down and appreciate the fabulous countryside. There is one 'Slow-food' tour http://www.slow-days.com , which is certainly worth considering.
Venice is a love it or loathe it place, depending on how many tourists are there, what you are expecting etc. Two days may be sufficient.
Buona viaggio
May 15th, 2011, 04:26 AM
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You're in your 30s. I wouldn't hesitate to do 5 hotels over 15 days(nights?)...you will be back again one day and you can do a week or two at a nice villa in a hill town OR find yourself returning to an entire trip focused on one particular city you can't wait to get back to explore deeply.
May 15th, 2011, 05:45 AM
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I'm not in my 30's anymore and I can no longer do 2 nights anywhere in Italy unless some production company is paying me a ton of money. Cinque Terre and Venice offer enormous charms. Just as those charms begin to unfold, you'll have to pack up and leave for yet another destination. That's way too painful for me to ponder.
Tuscany in September is fabulous. If you know where to eat and drink, the food and wine are remarkable. Compared to the splendor and floral scented Tuscan hillsides, Florence is a big, noisy city, choking on bus fumes (even though it's a tiny town). I love Florence but art and history are an important part of my life's work.
You need a car to truly enjoy Tuscany, and preferably a BMW convertible. Now we're talking an unforgettable experience.
If art, architecture, and history aren't your thing, you don't need 5 nights in Rome.
Whenever I visit Venice these days, I stay for almost a month. Venice is a great way to end a long visit to Italy because there's nothing like living on the water. And in September, Venice is fabulous. Two nights in paradise is better than nothing. But why dangle candy in the face of a child and steal it away if you don't have to?
Tuscany in September is fabulous. If you know where to eat and drink, the food and wine are remarkable. Compared to the splendor and floral scented Tuscan hillsides, Florence is a big, noisy city, choking on bus fumes (even though it's a tiny town). I love Florence but art and history are an important part of my life's work.
You need a car to truly enjoy Tuscany, and preferably a BMW convertible. Now we're talking an unforgettable experience.
If art, architecture, and history aren't your thing, you don't need 5 nights in Rome.
Whenever I visit Venice these days, I stay for almost a month. Venice is a great way to end a long visit to Italy because there's nothing like living on the water. And in September, Venice is fabulous. Two nights in paradise is better than nothing. But why dangle candy in the face of a child and steal it away if you don't have to?
May 19th, 2011, 10:03 AM
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Me and my friend stayed at Piombaia Agritourism a couple of years ago. http://www.piombaia.com/. The owner and I, Vittorio, still stay in touch on Facebook, he was such a nice, nice guy! His place was so relaxing and yet it was easy enough to get around to other nearby towns. It was also very reasonably priced. We had the upper two bedroom apartment with a little kitchenette but there are smaller rooms as well. They have a restaurant on site too which was nice on the night we got there. We often ran down there just to get a bottle of wine for the evening. If you want to see a short video clip of the place go to http://www.youtube.com/user/marilynloves2sing. At the beginning of it I took some video of the grounds on the day we were leaving. I believe there might be some other clips on Day 6...
