Hello all! My husband and I are both 30, and we are going to Florence for a business trip. Well, 80% leisure, 20% business. Anyway, our hotel is in Florence for the week, and I'm sure we'll want a break from the city and museums at some point. Can you recommend some good day trips?

We're looking for somewhere to really experience off the beaten path food and wine. I hear Siena is nice for a day, but there may be some place accessible by bus or train that would fit the bill?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Also, has anyone stayed at the Grand Hotel? I saw it online and WOW! Can you tell me more about it? Location, service, etc.

runlong

Hi R,

Siena is accessible by both bus and train.

Bologna, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Lucca are good daytrips.

Venice is a good overnight.

See www.trenitalia.com

My wife and I spent a wee in Florence Last October. Here is my trip report for some ideas.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34704407

runlong -
A week in Florence! What a luxury!

We recently did an Accidental Tourist Cooking Class, which was light on the cooking and extremely enjoyable for a day out of Florence. You can check my trip report at:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...niti&fid=2
or their website at: www.accidentaltourist.com.

That should be a week, not a wee. Not sure how much wee we spent in Florence, but it's really no one's business.

All above are good suggestions. Siena for sure. For a shorter break from the city, take a #7 or #8 city bus (can't remember) to Fiesole...maybe 20 minute ride. Fiesole sits on a steep hillside overlooking Florence with glorious views. There are sidewalk cafes, a monastery on a hill, which you can visit for the gardens, etc., and an archaeological site and small museum.

Hi J,

It's the no. 7 bus, on the right side of the SMN station as you face the tracks. 20 min 1E each way.

Hi runlong ~

A week, how lovely! You have received some excellent suggestions above. I will add that if it would interest you to hire a private tour guide, Luca (www.hillsandroads.com) is amazing. Click here for more info:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34758287

Have an excellent time! Tiff

Siena and San Gimignano are both nice day trips from Florence. You should also try Fiesole, which can be done in a half day.

loved siena and bologna...can't go wrong.

Another great big YES vote for Luca Garapa. I just posted my recommendation for using Luca Garapa of hillsandroads.com for a private tour guide/driver. We just returned from Florence and Tuscany yesterday where we spent a glorious week. If you need any other questions answered, I will be happy to assist.

I spent a few hours in Orvieto last summer and really enjoyed it. Great views.

Thank you all very much for the suggestions. We'll look into all of those cities when we go through our itinerary.

Grazie!