Help-Florence ok base for Tuscany?
Jul 10th, 2007, 10:12 PM
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Help-Florence ok base for Tuscany?
Leaving for Italy in 3 months. In trying to fit 10 lbs of potatoes in a 5-lb sack, I'm having second thoughts.
Our itinerary has us arriving Florence midday on a Saturday, spending one night and then midday Sunday off to Siena for one night's stay. So, Sunday afternoon/evening we "do" Siena, and Monday "do Tuscany", before heading for Rome on Monday evening. We thought Siena would be a good base from which to do Tuscany. But now I'm thinking about dragging our luggage off to a hotel in Siena when I'm wondering if we wouldn't be better off staying in Florence for a second night. Additionally, wondering if we can get everything done between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon that we want to do in Florence (Uffizzi/Accademia/Shopping). Especially because I know so much is closed on Sundays, yes?
Contributing to my concern is that hotel I've booked in Florence (Hotel Casci) has excellent reviews, while the more reviews I see of our Siena hotel (Chiusarelli) are mixed at best. I remember reading that bus from Florence to Siena is only an hour?
What do you seasoned pros have to say? Can we "do Tuscany" from Florence? My other concern is, if we stay a second night in Florence, where would we store our luggage while busing through Tuscany on Monday? Should we take the bus to Siena early Monday and leave our luggage at train/bus station? Then take bus into Tuscany? (We have no set plans for Tuscany. We have looked at Montepulciano and Montecino and have even considered just getting on an eastbound bus and getting off where it "looks interesting".)
Is it easier to catch a "bullet" train from Florence to Rome? How long train ride from Siena to Rome? We really need to be in Rome by 8pm-ish Monday night.
HELP!
Our itinerary has us arriving Florence midday on a Saturday, spending one night and then midday Sunday off to Siena for one night's stay. So, Sunday afternoon/evening we "do" Siena, and Monday "do Tuscany", before heading for Rome on Monday evening. We thought Siena would be a good base from which to do Tuscany. But now I'm thinking about dragging our luggage off to a hotel in Siena when I'm wondering if we wouldn't be better off staying in Florence for a second night. Additionally, wondering if we can get everything done between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon that we want to do in Florence (Uffizzi/Accademia/Shopping). Especially because I know so much is closed on Sundays, yes?
Contributing to my concern is that hotel I've booked in Florence (Hotel Casci) has excellent reviews, while the more reviews I see of our Siena hotel (Chiusarelli) are mixed at best. I remember reading that bus from Florence to Siena is only an hour?
What do you seasoned pros have to say? Can we "do Tuscany" from Florence? My other concern is, if we stay a second night in Florence, where would we store our luggage while busing through Tuscany on Monday? Should we take the bus to Siena early Monday and leave our luggage at train/bus station? Then take bus into Tuscany? (We have no set plans for Tuscany. We have looked at Montepulciano and Montecino and have even considered just getting on an eastbound bus and getting off where it "looks interesting".)
Is it easier to catch a "bullet" train from Florence to Rome? How long train ride from Siena to Rome? We really need to be in Rome by 8pm-ish Monday night.
HELP!
Jul 11th, 2007, 01:21 AM
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Hi Sarge - In just 2 days you really have time for no more than Florence and Siena. It takes nearer 2 weeks to 'do Tuscany' ...
It doesn't make sense to move to Siena for one night - much better IMO to base for 2 nights in Florence.
You could sightsee in Florence on the Saturday afternoon and Monday morning, and day-trip to Siena by bus on Sunday.
It would be possible to visit both Siena and San Gimignano in a day with careful planning around bus timetables.
Depending on how much extra time you need for Florence on the Monday you could either take the fast train direct to Rome (1hr 30') late afternoon - or alternatively leave Florence earlier and stop off en route, e.g Orvieto
For train info see:
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Hope this helps ...
Steve
It doesn't make sense to move to Siena for one night - much better IMO to base for 2 nights in Florence.
You could sightsee in Florence on the Saturday afternoon and Monday morning, and day-trip to Siena by bus on Sunday.
It would be possible to visit both Siena and San Gimignano in a day with careful planning around bus timetables.
Depending on how much extra time you need for Florence on the Monday you could either take the fast train direct to Rome (1hr 30') late afternoon - or alternatively leave Florence earlier and stop off en route, e.g Orvieto
For train info see:
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Jul 11th, 2007, 01:43 AM
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Hi S.
Ditto Steve, except.
>..because I know so much is closed on Sundays, yes?
No. The main museums in Florence are closed on Monday.
I suggest visiting Florence on Sat afternoon, taking the no. 7 bus (1E 0:20 hr) from the SMN train station up to Fiesole on Sat evening to watch the sunset from the terrace of the Bar Blue. Have dinner in Fiesole or Florence.
Sunday, tour museums, etc.
Monday, take the SITA bus to Siena for most of the day and return.
Train to Rome that evening. Your hotel will hold your luggage.
Enjoy your visit.
Ditto Steve, except.
>..because I know so much is closed on Sundays, yes?
No. The main museums in Florence are closed on Monday.
I suggest visiting Florence on Sat afternoon, taking the no. 7 bus (1E 0:20 hr) from the SMN train station up to Fiesole on Sat evening to watch the sunset from the terrace of the Bar Blue. Have dinner in Fiesole or Florence.
Sunday, tour museums, etc.
Monday, take the SITA bus to Siena for most of the day and return.
Train to Rome that evening. Your hotel will hold your luggage.
Enjoy your visit.
Jul 11th, 2007, 06:24 AM
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Steve, wow...precisely what I was thinking. Thanks for the info on the train.
Ira, thanks much for pointing out that what Steve and I were thinking may not work, due to Florence shutting down on Monday. I think your idea is better. Stay in Florence a full day and a half and take the early bus out to wherever.
Followup: Steve, Siena and San Gimignano look wonderful. But my daughter really wants to get out and see some "scenery" in Tuscany instead of museums/churches etc., since we will be so much of that in Venice, Florence and Rome. So we were hoping just to take a scenic ride, get off somewhere somewhat remote, maybe do lunch and "bask" before heading back to Florence for train to Rome.
Any suggestions? We cannot afford to miss the train to Rome, as we have a 9:15am Scavi tour the next morning. So I need to check to see when the last couple trains leave Florence.
Keep the suggestions coming re our day trip! Thanks again, Ira and Steve and all future posters!
Ira, thanks much for pointing out that what Steve and I were thinking may not work, due to Florence shutting down on Monday. I think your idea is better. Stay in Florence a full day and a half and take the early bus out to wherever.
Followup: Steve, Siena and San Gimignano look wonderful. But my daughter really wants to get out and see some "scenery" in Tuscany instead of museums/churches etc., since we will be so much of that in Venice, Florence and Rome. So we were hoping just to take a scenic ride, get off somewhere somewhat remote, maybe do lunch and "bask" before heading back to Florence for train to Rome.
Any suggestions? We cannot afford to miss the train to Rome, as we have a 9:15am Scavi tour the next morning.
So I need to check to see when the last couple trains leave Florence.Keep the suggestions coming re our day trip!
Thanks again, Ira and Steve and all future posters!
Jul 11th, 2007, 07:29 AM
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Steve's suggestion of stopping in orvieto on your way to Rome might fit your requirement for senery/hilltowns. Orvieto is on the direct train line between Florence and Rome. Technically it is in Umbria, not Tuscany, but it is a lovely hilltown surrounded by rolling green hills. From the Orvieto train station, you just step across the street and take the funicular to the top of the hill--old Orvieto. Buses meet the funicular to take you to the center of town. There is an excellent tourist office opposite the duomo that has plenty of info, as well as combined tickets to many of the popular sights.
Jul 11th, 2007, 07:36 AM
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Seeing the Tuscan countryside is best done by car. While the idea of taking a bus eastward and getting off at a promising looking location sounds nice, be aware that buses don't run very frequently along these country roads and finding one when you want and have go where you want may not be that easy. I believe there is a bus that leaves Florence and goes to Siena that takes a route (very scenic) that passes the small hilltown of Monteriggioni. You can get off the bus there, explore, then continue on to Siena. Siena is a wonderful hilltown to explore. Yes, it's bigger than many hilltowns but much smaller than the cities of Florence, Venice and Rome. Combine it with the stop in Monteriggioni and you get a taste of the tiny hilltown and the hilltown/city state.
Jul 11th, 2007, 09:39 AM
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I was just in tuscany - stayed in San Gimignano - and I think you ought to rethink Siena. I found Siena to be more of a city than a town, and definitely in one day it may be difficult to even see the hillsides that you came to see. Orvieto sounds better.
Also, when we were in Florence (many years ago) we did a "walking tour of tuscany" day tour that took you out into the hills, olive groves, vineyards, etc. It was a fantastic tour and way to see something way different from the museums and shopping.
We were in San Gimign. and did not have a car, by the way.
Also, when we were in Florence (many years ago) we did a "walking tour of tuscany" day tour that took you out into the hills, olive groves, vineyards, etc. It was a fantastic tour and way to see something way different from the museums and shopping.
We were in San Gimign. and did not have a car, by the way.
Jul 11th, 2007, 12:12 PM
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Sarge,
As others have said already, yer definitely trying to pack too much into too short a timeframe and you'll leave without having given yourself the time you should in either place.
Don't change locales; it just isn't worth it. You can do the day tour from Florence and be much better off for it. You mention your SCAVI tour at 09:15 and IMHO, you could take the 06:40 Eurostar (arriving Roma Termini at 08:30), check your luggage at the left luggage there and scoot to the SCAVI office with time to spare.
HTH
K
As others have said already, yer definitely trying to pack too much into too short a timeframe and you'll leave without having given yourself the time you should in either place.
Don't change locales; it just isn't worth it. You can do the day tour from Florence and be much better off for it. You mention your SCAVI tour at 09:15 and IMHO, you could take the 06:40 Eurostar (arriving Roma Termini at 08:30), check your luggage at the left luggage there and scoot to the SCAVI office with time to spare.
HTH
K
Jul 11th, 2007, 12:56 PM
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Thanks all for the tips.
WHERE2...do you remember where you picked up that tour or the tour company? I suspect my hotel staff will have suggestions, but what you quoted here sounds EXACTLY like what we'd like to do, provided we can be back in town to catch a train to Rome at a reasonable hour. I would so appreciate it if you could dig out the info, if you think you still have it.
As stated previously, I don't think we want to get to Rome any later than 8-9pm-ish, as we've never been, it will be dark, etc. Plus, we'll have had a full day and will need our recharging so we can do Rome the next day. I live the life of Ziggy. If I planned on only getting into Rome an hour or two before my Scavi tour..there would be a train strike or something.hahaha
Thanks. Keep the suggestions coming!
WHERE2...do you remember where you picked up that tour or the tour company? I suspect my hotel staff will have suggestions, but what you quoted here sounds EXACTLY like what we'd like to do, provided we can be back in town to catch a train to Rome at a reasonable hour. I would so appreciate it if you could dig out the info, if you think you still have it.
As stated previously, I don't think we want to get to Rome any later than 8-9pm-ish, as we've never been, it will be dark, etc. Plus, we'll have had a full day and will need our recharging so we can do Rome the next day. I live the life of Ziggy. If I planned on only getting into Rome an hour or two before my Scavi tour..there would be a train strike or something.
hahahaThanks. Keep the suggestions coming!
Jul 11th, 2007, 01:22 PM
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Sarge56,
Be advised, the trains from Florence to Rome are all terrific (have just spent the better part of a week researching the routes we will take in 2 months
gt; ...allmost all the trains are "ES" or "ES*" and you do not have to change trains and they are mostly all "express" leaving Florence (Firenze Santa Marie Novella) and going directly to Roma Termini in around 1:37!! Fantastic!!
The trip from Rome to Siena is like a "slow boat to China" by comparison--all regional trains who stop at almost every small town inbetween (and you have to change trains at either Chiusi or Grosseto)--with the trip taking anywhere from 3:12-4:08!! Of course, since we were only going from Rome to Siena, I did not research the reverse.
From the friends of mine who have been there, I would agree with those here who suggested you not try to change location--the buses run every hour between Florence and Siena, with the last bus departing Siena @ 8 PM.
Happy planning!
Be advised, the trains from Florence to Rome are all terrific (have just spent the better part of a week researching the routes we will take in 2 months
gt; ...allmost all the trains are "ES" or "ES*" and you do not have to change trains and they are mostly all "express" leaving Florence (Firenze Santa Marie Novella) and going directly to Roma Termini in around 1:37!! Fantastic!!The trip from Rome to Siena is like a "slow boat to China" by comparison--all regional trains who stop at almost every small town inbetween (and you have to change trains at either Chiusi or Grosseto)--with the trip taking anywhere from 3:12-4:08!! Of course, since we were only going from Rome to Siena, I did not research the reverse.
From the friends of mine who have been there, I would agree with those here who suggested you not try to change location--the buses run every hour between Florence and Siena, with the last bus departing Siena @ 8 PM.
Happy planning!
Jul 11th, 2007, 02:25 PM
#13
hi, Sarge,
if the aim is to see the tuscan countryside, why are you staying in florence at all?
given that you can get all you would ever need to see of art and culture in Rome, why not pick up a car on arrival on sat, drive out into the countryside, stay two nights, then drive down to Orvieto, return the car, and carry on to Rome?
there are loads of suggestions about where to stay in Tuscany on this thread - given you only have 2 & 1/2 days, travelling south of Florence wouldb e good.
you certainly don't have the time to see Florence, Siena, and the countryside - you only have time to see one of them.
have a great time, whatever you decide.
regards, ann
if the aim is to see the tuscan countryside, why are you staying in florence at all?
given that you can get all you would ever need to see of art and culture in Rome, why not pick up a car on arrival on sat, drive out into the countryside, stay two nights, then drive down to Orvieto, return the car, and carry on to Rome?
there are loads of suggestions about where to stay in Tuscany on this thread - given you only have 2 & 1/2 days, travelling south of Florence wouldb e good.
you certainly don't have the time to see Florence, Siena, and the countryside - you only have time to see one of them.
have a great time, whatever you decide.
regards, ann
Jul 11th, 2007, 04:39 PM
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Yes, do not try to see too many p;aces. Florence and Fiesole are more than enough. Besides on Monday all over Italy most places are closed. Visit churches on that day , relax, sit in a cafe.....Florence is so beautiful that I found it without any sense to force your self to include other places to "do" as you say. Read as much as you can before going , visit the Palazzo Vechio, eat well, walk around, visit small artisan shops,....what is the point to try to rush and see the country side, or even Siena.?
Jul 12th, 2007, 11:27 AM
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I luckily saved a card from the tour in my scrapbook (from 2000) and I found the information for you:
http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytr...r/tuscany_tour
It looks like you should book the tours directly on the web site. They have both Florence walks and tuscany walks that originate in Florence. We stayed right at the Ponte Vecchio and the pick up was a couple of blocks from there - map on the web site. It looks like they may have changed the tours up a bit since we were there but it actually looks better. We did not get lunch but it looks like it is now a part of the tour.
I do think this is the best bet for you seeing your limited time. And again, I highly recommend the tour.
http://www.italy.artviva.com/italytr...r/tuscany_tour
It looks like you should book the tours directly on the web site. They have both Florence walks and tuscany walks that originate in Florence. We stayed right at the Ponte Vecchio and the pick up was a couple of blocks from there - map on the web site. It looks like they may have changed the tours up a bit since we were there but it actually looks better. We did not get lunch but it looks like it is now a part of the tour.
I do think this is the best bet for you seeing your limited time. And again, I highly recommend the tour.
Jul 16th, 2007, 03:38 PM
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where2-- THANKS BUNCHES for finding that info for me!! I have been vascillating between taking a "guided tour" or just renting a car. There are advantages to both. But I am leaning toward the guided tour, as we only have the one day to do it. Thanks again!
