Day Trip Ideas from Florence
Jan 5th, 2010, 06:39 AM
#21
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myer,
Here is a terrific website for the area of Mugello, which is in between Bologna and Firenze. Using this website, you can see which towns have train stations, and look up the town on the website to get and overview and pictures of what there is to see in that town of historic and artistic interest, plus the opening hours and spectial events
http://www.aboutmugello.com/transpor...n-mugello.html
http://www.aboutmugello.com/how-to-reach-mugello.html
If you or your wife have any interest in the work of Galileo Chini, who is responsible for some of the amazing art deco ceramic work that adorns famous 19thc. hotels, spas and public baths in Italy, especially around the thermal areas of Toscana and northern Italy, his laboratory and a museum dedicated to him is in the Mugello area in the town of Borgo San Lorenzo.
http://www.mugellotoscana.it/EN/conoscere_musei_02.htm
And here is another website about the Mugello region in general and what it has to offer
http://www.mugellotoscana.it/EN/index.php
Here is a terrific website for the area of Mugello, which is in between Bologna and Firenze. Using this website, you can see which towns have train stations, and look up the town on the website to get and overview and pictures of what there is to see in that town of historic and artistic interest, plus the opening hours and spectial events
http://www.aboutmugello.com/transpor...n-mugello.html
http://www.aboutmugello.com/how-to-reach-mugello.html
If you or your wife have any interest in the work of Galileo Chini, who is responsible for some of the amazing art deco ceramic work that adorns famous 19thc. hotels, spas and public baths in Italy, especially around the thermal areas of Toscana and northern Italy, his laboratory and a museum dedicated to him is in the Mugello area in the town of Borgo San Lorenzo.
http://www.mugellotoscana.it/EN/conoscere_musei_02.htm
And here is another website about the Mugello region in general and what it has to offer
http://www.mugellotoscana.it/EN/index.php
Jan 5th, 2010, 07:31 AM
#22
Original Poster
willit,
I didn't intend on walking from the Siena train station. A 5 minute bus is fine.
mimar,
I'm not convinced the side of the bus has anything to do with your Amalfi Coast issues. I believe that the bus drivers have only one position for each foot. Floor the gas then floor the brakes. And that's when they only have 50 yards before a hairpin turn.
A couple of years later my wife stayed in Sorrento and I went alone (I offered to hire a driver but she declined). I barely made it to Amalfi and had to wait a half hour before taking the bus up to Ravello. I walked all the way down and it was great.
I didn't intend on walking from the Siena train station. A 5 minute bus is fine.
mimar,
I'm not convinced the side of the bus has anything to do with your Amalfi Coast issues. I believe that the bus drivers have only one position for each foot. Floor the gas then floor the brakes. And that's when they only have 50 yards before a hairpin turn.
A couple of years later my wife stayed in Sorrento and I went alone (I offered to hire a driver but she declined). I barely made it to Amalfi and had to wait a half hour before taking the bus up to Ravello. I walked all the way down and it was great.
Jan 5th, 2010, 09:26 AM
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Caroltis,
There would have been a time when I would have jumped in to agree with you, but those were the days when people rented a car to get off-the-beaten track in Tuscany, explore, have a private adventure. Increasingly, the ONLY reason people are told to rent a car is to take a standardized tour of Tuscany -- meaning, drive from one "cute" famous hilltown to another in a very small area of farm country, shop a lot, snap some photos, find the recommended restaurant and then resume more consumer-oriented activity in as many tourist towns as you can pack in. Today, the traveler who gets onto a train to visit Pistoia or Prato or Buonconvento is the one who is going to have the eye-opening experience of being in Tuscany, surrounded by fascinating art, history and authentic food and wine-- and have the discoveries all to themselves.
Myer,
Once you are in Siena, it is only 30 minutes by train to Buonconvento, a really pleasant valley town in the heart of scenic Tuscany. No hill views, but a charming ambience, two fascinating museums, and impressive short walks and walls.
http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...dice_borgo=142
http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...dice_borgo=142
You might get more precise help if you talked about more about your personal interests and aspirations for this trip. If you want to see as many of the famous hilltown Tuscan destinations as possible without a car, then a bus trip to San Gimignano may be worth it despite the risk of nausea. But you will find yourself amid lots of other tourists, and maybe there is something right at hand that would fascinate you and your wife more. (Like terracotta pottery in Impruneta? Strolls in the hills above Firenze?)
You mentioned that you are only making a "brief stay" in Pisa. Is that because you've been before, or because you dread the tourist blight that rings the beautiful monuments' complex, or because you imagine the monuments aren't all that compelling? Apart from the gorgeous tower (which you needn't take time to climb), the Allied-bombed-but-partially restored cemetary (Camposanto), the gorgeous near-perfect Bapistery, the incomparable Duomo plus its small but fascinating museum are a very rewarding way to spend an afternoon if you are interested in that side of Italian life, art and history. (There is also an important fresco museum at the monuments and other museums and churches in Pisa proper).
Of course, if you prefer not to overload on art and history and museum going, there are lots of other options in the region (including a second seaside trip by train to Forte dei Marmi, now often the playground of nouveau riche Russians but with some grand old pleasures and unique ones, including the International Museum of Political Satire and Cartoons:
http://www.museosatira.it/
http://www.bestwestern.it/BW/EN/hote...local-info.htm
http://www.monocle.com/sections/edit...rte-dei-Marmi/
Anyway, with "only" 10 days, Firenze itself is likely to keep you fascinated (the Museo San Marco, the museum of the Duomo and the Capellla Brancacci are deeply rewarding to visit). The question is what else is likely to give you personally the most pleasure and satisfaction.
As someone subject to motion sickness, I do think Tuscan farm roads can be just as nausea inducing on a bus as the Amalfi roads. I don't want to discourage you from going to San Gimignano, but I'd ask some people who've done it by bus what the trip was like. Maybe the road isn't as winding as I remember it.
There would have been a time when I would have jumped in to agree with you, but those were the days when people rented a car to get off-the-beaten track in Tuscany, explore, have a private adventure. Increasingly, the ONLY reason people are told to rent a car is to take a standardized tour of Tuscany -- meaning, drive from one "cute" famous hilltown to another in a very small area of farm country, shop a lot, snap some photos, find the recommended restaurant and then resume more consumer-oriented activity in as many tourist towns as you can pack in. Today, the traveler who gets onto a train to visit Pistoia or Prato or Buonconvento is the one who is going to have the eye-opening experience of being in Tuscany, surrounded by fascinating art, history and authentic food and wine-- and have the discoveries all to themselves.
Myer,
Once you are in Siena, it is only 30 minutes by train to Buonconvento, a really pleasant valley town in the heart of scenic Tuscany. No hill views, but a charming ambience, two fascinating museums, and impressive short walks and walls.
http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...dice_borgo=142
http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo...dice_borgo=142
You might get more precise help if you talked about more about your personal interests and aspirations for this trip. If you want to see as many of the famous hilltown Tuscan destinations as possible without a car, then a bus trip to San Gimignano may be worth it despite the risk of nausea. But you will find yourself amid lots of other tourists, and maybe there is something right at hand that would fascinate you and your wife more. (Like terracotta pottery in Impruneta? Strolls in the hills above Firenze?)
You mentioned that you are only making a "brief stay" in Pisa. Is that because you've been before, or because you dread the tourist blight that rings the beautiful monuments' complex, or because you imagine the monuments aren't all that compelling? Apart from the gorgeous tower (which you needn't take time to climb), the Allied-bombed-but-partially restored cemetary (Camposanto), the gorgeous near-perfect Bapistery, the incomparable Duomo plus its small but fascinating museum are a very rewarding way to spend an afternoon if you are interested in that side of Italian life, art and history. (There is also an important fresco museum at the monuments and other museums and churches in Pisa proper).
Of course, if you prefer not to overload on art and history and museum going, there are lots of other options in the region (including a second seaside trip by train to Forte dei Marmi, now often the playground of nouveau riche Russians but with some grand old pleasures and unique ones, including the International Museum of Political Satire and Cartoons:
http://www.museosatira.it/
http://www.bestwestern.it/BW/EN/hote...local-info.htm
http://www.monocle.com/sections/edit...rte-dei-Marmi/
Anyway, with "only" 10 days, Firenze itself is likely to keep you fascinated (the Museo San Marco, the museum of the Duomo and the Capellla Brancacci are deeply rewarding to visit). The question is what else is likely to give you personally the most pleasure and satisfaction.
As someone subject to motion sickness, I do think Tuscan farm roads can be just as nausea inducing on a bus as the Amalfi roads. I don't want to discourage you from going to San Gimignano, but I'd ask some people who've done it by bus what the trip was like. Maybe the road isn't as winding as I remember it.
Jan 5th, 2010, 10:48 AM
#25
My husband doesn't do well on countryside bus rides of more than 10-15 minutes. It took us a few trips to figure this out because he felt worse after he got off the bus than he did during the drive. We blamed it on the food, the water, jet lag, the flu, too much sun, etc., until we decided it had to be the bus ride.
The bus to San Gimignano is on his "never again" list.
For people who don't have this problem, thank your lucky stars and stop telling others what they ought to be able to tolerate.
The bus to San Gimignano is on his "never again" list.
For people who don't have this problem, thank your lucky stars and stop telling others what they ought to be able to tolerate.
Jan 5th, 2010, 04:06 PM
#26
Original Poster
Our interests lie mostly in walking around towns and seeing sights. While we're not really museum goers, we've been to a fair number of the major museums and enjoyed them.
We've been to Florence twice before. Both times for a couple of days as part of trips to several destinations.
We've been to the Uffizi and the Accademia and we'll at least go back to the Accademia if not both.
I enjoy photography and my wife could spend the day shopping.
As I wrote at the start of this thread, this trip is very different from any of our others. They involved changing locations every two to five days.
This time we'll be based in Florence the whole time. That's what getting older and a few surgeries (though very well recovered) will do.
Jean,
You bring up something that I didn't consider. I know that the ride from Poggibonsi to San Gimignano is by bus. However, I was not aware that it's a challenge. I was under the impression it's tame. I don't know what made me think that.
We'll discuss it and possibly change the plan. Originally I thought we'd go to SG and some time late in the afternoon head over to Siena for the evening (sleep over) and the next day before returning to Florence.
If she decides to pass on SG I may leave her in Florence to shop one day and go myself.
Siena will either become a day trip or maybe remain a sleepover with visits to one or two other places en route. Maybe Certaldo and/or Montelupo or some other place.
Thanks for the heads up.
We've been to Florence twice before. Both times for a couple of days as part of trips to several destinations.
We've been to the Uffizi and the Accademia and we'll at least go back to the Accademia if not both.
I enjoy photography and my wife could spend the day shopping.
As I wrote at the start of this thread, this trip is very different from any of our others. They involved changing locations every two to five days.
This time we'll be based in Florence the whole time. That's what getting older and a few surgeries (though very well recovered) will do.
Jean,
You bring up something that I didn't consider. I know that the ride from Poggibonsi to San Gimignano is by bus. However, I was not aware that it's a challenge. I was under the impression it's tame. I don't know what made me think that.
We'll discuss it and possibly change the plan. Originally I thought we'd go to SG and some time late in the afternoon head over to Siena for the evening (sleep over) and the next day before returning to Florence.
If she decides to pass on SG I may leave her in Florence to shop one day and go myself.
Siena will either become a day trip or maybe remain a sleepover with visits to one or two other places en route. Maybe Certaldo and/or Montelupo or some other place.
Thanks for the heads up.
Jan 5th, 2010, 05:20 PM
#27
Well, "challenge" is subjective. For my husband, it was too much, or maybe we just got unlucky with the driver. It's only about 8 miles from Poggibonsi, but I think it took 25-30 minutes.
FWIW, although many think SG is charming, I found it more interesting viewed from a distance. Both times we visited (the second time by car), it was terribly crowded inside the town walls. We have not been there at night after the day trippers are gone. If your budget allows, you might consider a taxi back and forth from Poggibonsi.
FWIW, although many think SG is charming, I found it more interesting viewed from a distance. Both times we visited (the second time by car), it was terribly crowded inside the town walls. We have not been there at night after the day trippers are gone. If your budget allows, you might consider a taxi back and forth from Poggibonsi.
Jan 6th, 2010, 05:04 AM
#28
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I agree with Jean that San Gimignano is more interesting on the approach, although I was immensely take with the frescoes in the churches. (And I had a charming rustic meal at an osteria with shared tables, I Quattro Gatti.)
Myer, does your wife know that some of the biggest outlet shopping in Italy is in Barberino di Mugello? A train-plus-short bus or taxi ride would get her there. Roads are flat. Also, be aware that Arezzo is considered on of the regions best shopping towns, especially if she enjoys poking around antique stores.
Certaldo has always looked lovely to me, but to get to the prettiest parts do appear to involve walks uphill.
Myer, does your wife know that some of the biggest outlet shopping in Italy is in Barberino di Mugello? A train-plus-short bus or taxi ride would get her there. Roads are flat. Also, be aware that Arezzo is considered on of the regions best shopping towns, especially if she enjoys poking around antique stores.
Certaldo has always looked lovely to me, but to get to the prettiest parts do appear to involve walks uphill.
Jan 6th, 2010, 06:27 AM
#29
Original Poster
stepsbeyond,
Shhhhhh.
Actually my wife will spend more time in stores than actually buying. Addicted?
I don't think we'll go to Barberini di Mugello although that could change. But if she spends some time in the store in Arezzo, that's ok.
For Certaldo, there's a funicular that goes up to Certaldo Alto. I assume that makes it easier. We do get in a lot of walking on trips. We're pretty sore the first few days even though we excersize a fair amount at home.
Getting from Prato to Poggio a Caiano also involves a 20 minute bus ride. Has anybody been on that? What type of ride is it?
Shhhhhh.
Actually my wife will spend more time in stores than actually buying. Addicted?
I don't think we'll go to Barberini di Mugello although that could change. But if she spends some time in the store in Arezzo, that's ok.
For Certaldo, there's a funicular that goes up to Certaldo Alto. I assume that makes it easier. We do get in a lot of walking on trips. We're pretty sore the first few days even though we excersize a fair amount at home.
Getting from Prato to Poggio a Caiano also involves a 20 minute bus ride. Has anybody been on that? What type of ride is it?
Jan 6th, 2010, 10:06 AM
#30
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Okay, but just between you and me, Lucca is both a great shopping town and a great photography town. And the layout is so simple and contained inside the walls, and there are so many landmarks in town, that if you each have a watch, you can easily agree to split up and re-connect at a later time at a very easy to find place. Just be aware that Lucca does observe traditional closing hours, so your trip there should linger into the evening "passegiata", which is quite enjoyable.
I know you have said that food is not your focus, but the restaurant of Buca di Sant'Antonia is Lucca not only dishes up the finest examples of classic Lucchese cuisine (which in the wrong hands can be not all that tasty), it is done in an atmosphere of classic Italian hospitality -- not stuffy but warmly gracious and attentive. It is an all around pleasure to have a lunch here, and while the piatti may cost a few euro more, lunch is not going to break the bank.
Good to know about that funiculare. Can't help you with the Prato bus ride.
I know you have said that food is not your focus, but the restaurant of Buca di Sant'Antonia is Lucca not only dishes up the finest examples of classic Lucchese cuisine (which in the wrong hands can be not all that tasty), it is done in an atmosphere of classic Italian hospitality -- not stuffy but warmly gracious and attentive. It is an all around pleasure to have a lunch here, and while the piatti may cost a few euro more, lunch is not going to break the bank.
Good to know about that funiculare. Can't help you with the Prato bus ride.
Jan 6th, 2010, 10:42 AM
#31
Original Poster
stepsbeyond,
The train from Florence to Lucca directly does nothing for us. We could go to Pisa first and then on to Lucca and arrive at the same time.
The train from Florence and to Lucca arrive/leave from St Rossoro (I think that's the name) train station which is only a few minutes walk from the Tower.
We could spend an hour or so there and go on to Lucca. We decided our focus would be Lucca and anything in Pisa would be a bonus.
At this point my plan is to leave Lucca about 6:30PM and go to Cinque Terre where we would have dinner, sleep over and spend the next day walking/visiting some of the towns. We could always stay in Lucca for dinner, skip sunset in Cinquee Terre and go there later in the evening.
Then return to Florence in the evening.
We do split up sometimes and meet later. That could happen. However, I remember our second day in Brugges when we rented bikes and rode around the outskirts of the city and stopped at the windmills. This could be another one of those days.
The train from Florence to Lucca directly does nothing for us. We could go to Pisa first and then on to Lucca and arrive at the same time.
The train from Florence and to Lucca arrive/leave from St Rossoro (I think that's the name) train station which is only a few minutes walk from the Tower.
We could spend an hour or so there and go on to Lucca. We decided our focus would be Lucca and anything in Pisa would be a bonus.
At this point my plan is to leave Lucca about 6:30PM and go to Cinque Terre where we would have dinner, sleep over and spend the next day walking/visiting some of the towns. We could always stay in Lucca for dinner, skip sunset in Cinquee Terre and go there later in the evening.
Then return to Florence in the evening.
We do split up sometimes and meet later. That could happen. However, I remember our second day in Brugges when we rented bikes and rode around the outskirts of the city and stopped at the windmills. This could be another one of those days.
Jan 6th, 2010, 11:41 AM
#32
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1. 10 days in Florence is a mistake. The place isn't that great.
2. Skip Lucca. There is really nothing there see once you've spent 10 seconds looking at the wall.
3. Pisa, at least the Field of Miracles, is great and drastically underrated.
4. Take the bus, not the train to Siena.
5. Not driving is very smart.
6. 10 days in Florence is a mistake. The place isn't that great.
2. Skip Lucca. There is really nothing there see once you've spent 10 seconds looking at the wall.
3. Pisa, at least the Field of Miracles, is great and drastically underrated.
4. Take the bus, not the train to Siena.
5. Not driving is very smart.
6. 10 days in Florence is a mistake. The place isn't that great.
Jan 6th, 2010, 12:31 PM
#33
Original Poster
Imhornet,
You obviously haven't read the earlier posts in this thread.
I wonder why most of the tourists go to the destinations that have nothing.
Probably just hype.
I'm reminded of a sight in Piazza della Segnioria (sp) in Florence on one of my two previous visits there.
A taxi pulled up in the middle of the square and stopped. A guy jumped out of the back of the taxi, took a picture, jumped back in and the taxi drove away.
You obviously haven't read the earlier posts in this thread.
I wonder why most of the tourists go to the destinations that have nothing.
Probably just hype.
I'm reminded of a sight in Piazza della Segnioria (sp) in Florence on one of my two previous visits there.
A taxi pulled up in the middle of the square and stopped. A guy jumped out of the back of the taxi, took a picture, jumped back in and the taxi drove away.
Jan 13th, 2010, 07:26 PM
#35
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Jean, Myer, et al...may I introduce you to the HORNET's nest...if you have ever read any of his/her posts you would realize that he is always itching for a fight by filling up the hypodermic with vitriol and then injecting it into the heart of the forum.
Best to ignore...he/she has written many derogatory posts about many places (Toronto, Lucca and Florence are just three)...difference of opinion is most welcome..but he/she carries it to the lowest level. His/her latest is a nasty rant regarding the "arrogance and snobbery" of Fodorites who prefer to "do their own thing rather than hire a guide"...this bitterness must be a barrel of laughs at home.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-172275-2.cfm
Hornet, I told you to buzz off once before..need I repeat it!
Best to ignore...he/she has written many derogatory posts about many places (Toronto, Lucca and Florence are just three)...difference of opinion is most welcome..but he/she carries it to the lowest level. His/her latest is a nasty rant regarding the "arrogance and snobbery" of Fodorites who prefer to "do their own thing rather than hire a guide"...this bitterness must be a barrel of laughs at home.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-172275-2.cfm
Hornet, I told you to buzz off once before..need I repeat it!
Feb 16th, 2010, 02:28 PM
#37
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Myer, i enjoyed reading your plan. i, too, am going to return to florence in April and spend my time there using it as a base. i also plan on using the trains. i lived in florence as a college student for a year but i realized that there were some places nearby that i didnt get to see. i am also going to Lucca and i am going to do a day trip to Bologna. how about Montalcino and Montepulciano? i do want to go through the Chianti region. Have you done that? i know at the hotel i am staying, they said they can arrange a car to take us there. i was also thinking about San Gimingnano but it seems to be a little more work getting there. As for the person who said there is nothing in Florence?? i love that city !! i spent a whole year there just taking in everything that is wonderful about it!! Hope you have a nice trip?
while i am posting, i am trying to find a decent hotel in Parma, in the center. i know people like hotel torino and the button- they looked a little dingy on the websites?? someone else mentioned a little b and b called la pilotta? looks cozy. any ideas? i was thinking about spending under 125euro.
while i am posting, i am trying to find a decent hotel in Parma, in the center. i know people like hotel torino and the button- they looked a little dingy on the websites?? someone else mentioned a little b and b called la pilotta? looks cozy. any ideas? i was thinking about spending under 125euro.
Feb 16th, 2010, 02:55 PM
#38
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Myer:
One of the side trips you might want to consider is Volterra. I stayed in Florence and went there by bus and very much enjoyed it. (I look at my photos from that day and enjoy it all over again.)
One of the side trips you might want to consider is Volterra. I stayed in Florence and went there by bus and very much enjoyed it. (I look at my photos from that day and enjoy it all over again.)
Feb 16th, 2010, 05:48 PM
#39
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Hi Myer-
I am also staying in Florence for 10 days but in May.
I signed up for a tour of Castello di Verrazzano. It's a winery not far from Florence. Just wondering if you or anyone else reading this has been there.
I am also staying in Florence for 10 days but in May.
I signed up for a tour of Castello di Verrazzano. It's a winery not far from Florence. Just wondering if you or anyone else reading this has been there.
