chadwick_bearden

I was hoping someone on here could offer up some advice on a few options for day trips from Florence in early October. From what I read on here renting a car is my best bet. I have seen good things about San G and the Chianti region. We are wine lovers so please keep that in mind. One of my concerns is about the rental car. Namely leaving the city from the rental car place and returning it. Has anyone done this in the past and could you help me accomplish this with the least potential for headaches?

hollywoodsc

You can do day trips by bus to Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra. You can do vespa tours in the country.

You're right to be concerned about renting a car for one day. The time to leave the city, pick up the car, return it and get back into the city afterwards, doesn't justify it to me.

You can do a search here on Fodors for Day Trips from Florence to find ideas.

annhig

From what I read on here renting a car is my best bet>>

nooooo - don't do it! the traffic is some of the worst I've ever seen, and that includes Sri Lanka last year. plus there is a ZLT which can mean large fines if you stray into it.

you don't say how long you're going to be in Florence, but I've now spent about 2 weeks there off and on, and I still haven't seen half of what Florence has to offer nor done half of the day trips I'd like to do.

so don't be too ambitious.

As Hollywoodsc says, lots of places can be reached by bus, and though buses have to contend with the traffic, you don't have the parking problems at the other end nor the stress of driving. Siena and San gim are very easy to get to on the bus from the bus station right next to the railway station, SMN. Bologna, Pisa and Lucca can be reached by train from SMN.
To get to Fiesole [a great place for a 1/2 day or evening jaunt] you get the bus from the piazza san marco at the top of via cavour.

as for winetasting, it's difficult to do if you are driving. someone who is very highly rated here and on TA is Luca of Hills and Roads - let me make it clear that we've not used him but everyone who has mentioned him here has been very complementary. I'm sure that he would do you a day tour of vineyards which would be very enjoyable and far less stressful than trying to DIY.

otherwise there are lots of similar trips mentioned on TA under activities in Florence.

have a great time!

here's the link:

http://www.hillsandroads.com/

Andrew

Fiesole is a nice little town, super easy by city bus. Siena is a beautiful town with a great town square - easy by Sita bus. Yes, there are plenty of day trip options from Florence that don't require renting a car.

bendigo

Lucca and Pisa are easily reachable by train from Florence - less than an hour, and you can do a loop covering both towns in one day.

sarge56

chadwick- agree that you should let someone else do the driving.

1) You will find it difficult to rent a car for just one day. All the websites I tried had a 3-day minimum.
2) If you're drinking wine...
3) I HAVE used Luca at Hillsandroads.com and he was fabulous. He will gear the day to what you want. If you tell him you just want to hit wineries all day, he can do that. (though you'd be remiss to not let him also take you to the Abbey at Monte Oliveto.) IMHO
4) Buses are very easy to catch; cheap, efficient and run often.

Siena is one hour by bus from the bus station that is next to the train station (Santa Maria Novella) in Florence.

I also agree that there is MUCH to see in Florence. If you are not spending at least 3 days in Florence itself, I would not waste any time on day trips. (Again, if wine is your priority.. to each his own!)

If you don't trust our reviews, your hotel would probably also be happy to help you find a private guide for wineries in Chianti or Tuscany.

Buon viaggio!

kybourbon

You can also to a bus to some parts of Chianti such as Greve (catch this bus the same place you catch the bus to San G or Siena). Most of these trips would be about 15€ round trip. The train to Pisa/Lucca from Florence would also be about that price.

If you want something a bit cheaper than Hills and Roads, there are lots of day trip operators (the tourist board will have a list). This one runs Chianti tours, San G, Siena, Pisa, etc.

http://www.caftours.com/excursions-and-day-trips.html

vincenzo32951

I'll second the recommendation to use Luca at hillsandroads for a day tour.