Note of Thanks, Mini Trip Rpt, and Two Qs on Florence and Tuscany in March
Dec 2nd, 2015, 07:35 AM
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Note of Thanks, Mini Trip Rpt, and Two Qs on Florence and Tuscany in March
First of all, many thanks to several of you who answered the queries for the extended Oct trip we took to Italy. I love the country, and October is a great time to go there. We had only a couple of rainy days on the whole trip. This was my third trip and my husband's second to Italy. In the course of 25 days, we spent a few days in Rome (hubs had been reluctant to go, and then of course was sorry he did not have at least one more day there), and some family heritage days in Abruzzo (a lovely area waiting to be discovered). I had done extensive genealogical research at this end in the US, and still had questions. We contracted with Luciana Masci of Touring Abruzzo who was fabulous in finding out more on my husband's maternal line, and opened many doors for us in the two ancestral villages, Fara San Martino and Torricella di Peligna. We met the towns' mayors, visited churches where his ancestors worshipped, saw original records (and received copies) saw family graves, visited the local historical museum (they opened it for us with local docents), and ate regional cuisine by a noted chef at a local farmhouse. Wished we had had more time there, and we will be back with our daughters, son in law, and grandsons. Then it was on to Umbia, to Assisi and Gubbio. We saw the Franciscan sights and went truffle hunting. After many days of tours and sightseeing, we drove to Podere Cunina, an agriturismo in Buonconvento in the Val d'Orca region of Tuscany, where we spent a wonderful week. It was a great combo of relaxation, serendipity and exploration of hilltowns and Siena. From there we went on to Florence, and then Venice. I can always use more of Florence, as I am an artist and a shopper. Would be happy to answer any questions about our trip, what we did, where we went, guides used, etc. Thanks again to all who helped me and offered suggestions, observations, etc.
Now my new questions:
Anyone been to Florence and Tuscany in March? Have been there in August and October (lovely), but never late winter/early spring. What should I expect weather wise etc.? Putting together a girls trip a little over a year from now for one lady's 45th and my 64th birthdays. We are all healthy, active, and in our 40s to 60s. The other ladies have never been to Italy before, and I'm thinking of seven days in country (possibly with a couple of them in Rome). Most of us have jobs and families to go back to, so time is limited.
Most of our time in Florence will be devoted to seeing great art and going shopping (no problem there) but I'm thinking also of a one day excursion to one of the famous outlying towns, possibly San Gimignano or another one. Loved Siena, Pienza, and some of the places in the Val d' Orca. Have also been to Lucca. Have not been to San Gimignano or Cortona. Suggestions please.
Now my new questions:
Anyone been to Florence and Tuscany in March? Have been there in August and October (lovely), but never late winter/early spring. What should I expect weather wise etc.? Putting together a girls trip a little over a year from now for one lady's 45th and my 64th birthdays. We are all healthy, active, and in our 40s to 60s. The other ladies have never been to Italy before, and I'm thinking of seven days in country (possibly with a couple of them in Rome). Most of us have jobs and families to go back to, so time is limited.
Most of our time in Florence will be devoted to seeing great art and going shopping (no problem there) but I'm thinking also of a one day excursion to one of the famous outlying towns, possibly San Gimignano or another one. Loved Siena, Pienza, and some of the places in the Val d' Orca. Have also been to Lucca. Have not been to San Gimignano or Cortona. Suggestions please.
Dec 2nd, 2015, 08:25 AM
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Greetings, Bagbabe. I think I remember when you were planning that trip. I'm glad it went so well.
Depending on the weather, which is always unpredictable, March would be one of my favorite months to visit Tuscany. Of course, if you're planning to see a bit of Rome and a bit of Florence, you won't have much time to see rural Tuscany. Will you have a car for that part?
You might consider three nights in Rome and four nights in Florence, and take a day trip to rural Tuscany, maybe with a guided tour or a wine tasting tour, or by bus from Florence, or just renting a car and taking a long drive.
Another possibility, if you're willing to reduce Florence to a day trip, would be to spend your Tuscany time in Siena and take a day trip to one of the smaller nearby Tuscan hill towns. Montalcino would be my favorite, and Pienza (which you've already seen) would be second.
In my opinion, Cortona was greatly oversold by Under a Tuscan Sun. It's a nice town, but there are many towns in Tuscany just as nice, or better, and they're a lot closer to Florence.
San Gimignano is a very nice town, but very crowded with tourists most of the year. We found it absolutely bursting at the seams in late April. We were also there once in the winter and it was much more enjoyable. I don't know about March, but it may very well be the ideal time to visit. San Gimignano can be reached by public transportation from Florence: train or bus to Poggibonsi and then bus to San Gimignano. If you decide to spend time in Florence, a day trip to San Gimignano might be your best option for seeing some of rural Tuscany.
I think you should ask your friends if there's anything they absolutely can't bear not to see while they're in Italy. If they are immoveable on seeing the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum, you really don't want to spend just two nights in Rome. It would leave you no time to spend in some of the beautiful and uncrowded parts of the city. Similar advice goes for Florence. If you're only there for a few days, or for a day trip, I would search out some of the less famous and less crowded museums and churches, the "hidden gems" rather than the "must sees".
Depending on the weather, which is always unpredictable, March would be one of my favorite months to visit Tuscany. Of course, if you're planning to see a bit of Rome and a bit of Florence, you won't have much time to see rural Tuscany. Will you have a car for that part?
You might consider three nights in Rome and four nights in Florence, and take a day trip to rural Tuscany, maybe with a guided tour or a wine tasting tour, or by bus from Florence, or just renting a car and taking a long drive.
Another possibility, if you're willing to reduce Florence to a day trip, would be to spend your Tuscany time in Siena and take a day trip to one of the smaller nearby Tuscan hill towns. Montalcino would be my favorite, and Pienza (which you've already seen) would be second.
In my opinion, Cortona was greatly oversold by Under a Tuscan Sun. It's a nice town, but there are many towns in Tuscany just as nice, or better, and they're a lot closer to Florence.
San Gimignano is a very nice town, but very crowded with tourists most of the year. We found it absolutely bursting at the seams in late April. We were also there once in the winter and it was much more enjoyable. I don't know about March, but it may very well be the ideal time to visit. San Gimignano can be reached by public transportation from Florence: train or bus to Poggibonsi and then bus to San Gimignano. If you decide to spend time in Florence, a day trip to San Gimignano might be your best option for seeing some of rural Tuscany.
I think you should ask your friends if there's anything they absolutely can't bear not to see while they're in Italy. If they are immoveable on seeing the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum, you really don't want to spend just two nights in Rome. It would leave you no time to spend in some of the beautiful and uncrowded parts of the city. Similar advice goes for Florence. If you're only there for a few days, or for a day trip, I would search out some of the less famous and less crowded museums and churches, the "hidden gems" rather than the "must sees".
Dec 2nd, 2015, 08:44 AM
#3
Cortona didn't do it for me, St Gim is very much tourist town but out of high season can be good and Volterra is a bit similar and might be worth the drive.
There is a write up "passing by" on St Gim which might be of interest
Been to Italy many times and still not seen the Vatican Sistine Chapel, not everyone likes to see the wealth of a church founded by a simple carpenter. Done the big church thing and found the odd body weird. Others maybe like this stuff, but check with the girls.
Sometimes I find people want to go see the big "drawer" because they want to be with their friends and everyone tells them what a great time they will have. My experience of all my holidays is I remember the people interaction, little moments and special meals, never yet another cherub. Up to you guys
There is a write up "passing by" on St Gim which might be of interest
Been to Italy many times and still not seen the Vatican Sistine Chapel, not everyone likes to see the wealth of a church founded by a simple carpenter. Done the big church thing and found the odd body weird. Others maybe like this stuff, but check with the girls.
Sometimes I find people want to go see the big "drawer" because they want to be with their friends and everyone tells them what a great time they will have. My experience of all my holidays is I remember the people interaction, little moments and special meals, never yet another cherub. Up to you guys
Dec 2nd, 2015, 08:45 AM
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Dec 2nd, 2015, 09:27 AM
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BabBabe: I've been to Tuscany and Florence in March several times, as I had a work commitment that drew me there at that time of year.
The weather is completely changeable. I've seen snow, rain, and nice sunny days.
As you are an artist, I don't think you can miss the interiors of the Duomo in San Gimignano. SG is also a very good eating town. Yes, it can be crowded but I found an afternoon in March to be less teeming than some other times. Also some very good artisan shops and a few galleries.
Have you considered the Piero delle San Francisco trail? Arezzo, Sansepolcro and Monterchi all have amazing works by Piero, although only one (a brief stop) in Monterchi.
Arezzo is a great town for shopping and art. Sansepolcro has a lovely small art museum.
The weather is completely changeable. I've seen snow, rain, and nice sunny days.
As you are an artist, I don't think you can miss the interiors of the Duomo in San Gimignano. SG is also a very good eating town. Yes, it can be crowded but I found an afternoon in March to be less teeming than some other times. Also some very good artisan shops and a few galleries.
Have you considered the Piero delle San Francisco trail? Arezzo, Sansepolcro and Monterchi all have amazing works by Piero, although only one (a brief stop) in Monterchi.
Arezzo is a great town for shopping and art. Sansepolcro has a lovely small art museum.
Dec 4th, 2015, 03:09 AM
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I think this was meant to be Piero della Francesca. She wasn't a saint, but the mother of Piero, who was known as "La Francesca", although that wasn't her name. She married into the De Franceschi family, and Piero was born after the death of her husband. It's a bit mysterious, and some said Piero's father wasn't the official one.
In Arezzo, in the church of San Francesco, there is one of his greatest works, the fresco cycle called "The Legend of the True Cross". Underneath the church is a little museum, which sometimes has good temporary exhibits.
In Monterchio, the "Madonna del Parto" is in a little chapel in a country cemetery. No one knows why he chose to paint such an important fresco in that place, but his mother was from Monterchio. The fresco shows the Virgin Mary in an advanced state of pregnancy, and for a long time it was a place of pilgrimage where pregnant women came to pray for a safe delivery.
I think this was meant to be Piero della Francesca. She wasn't a saint, but the mother of Piero, who was known as "La Francesca", although that wasn't her name. She married into the De Franceschi family, and Piero was born after the death of her husband. It's a bit mysterious, and some said Piero's father wasn't the official one.
In Arezzo, in the church of San Francesco, there is one of his greatest works, the fresco cycle called "The Legend of the True Cross". Underneath the church is a little museum, which sometimes has good temporary exhibits.
In Monterchio, the "Madonna del Parto" is in a little chapel in a country cemetery. No one knows why he chose to paint such an important fresco in that place, but his mother was from Monterchio. The fresco shows the Virgin Mary in an advanced state of pregnancy, and for a long time it was a place of pilgrimage where pregnant women came to pray for a safe delivery.
