Suddenly have 7-10 days up for grabs in Italy or somewhere close by. Need guidance!
Sep 24th, 2019 | 07:36 PM
#21
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,515
Likes: 4
I understand, kja, and I respect you right back.
But my husband is a driving nut and could easily do this. I think I could, too, as long as the GPS was working and there was still daylight. I know we're probably not the norm, but we live in a driving-centric town. We fly 13+ hours from L.A.
I assume caseyhen and her husband will keep this issue in mind and decide what he's able to handle. He could even change his mind after he lands and sees how he feels. They could also book a private transfer for not too outrageous a cost.
One thing I will point out... If the 30 miles from FLR to Certaldo takes an hour (per google), then the average driving speed is 30 mph. That's pretty slow, perhaps stop and go.
But my husband is a driving nut and could easily do this. I think I could, too, as long as the GPS was working and there was still daylight. I know we're probably not the norm, but we live in a driving-centric town. We fly 13+ hours from L.A.
I assume caseyhen and her husband will keep this issue in mind and decide what he's able to handle. He could even change his mind after he lands and sees how he feels. They could also book a private transfer for not too outrageous a cost.
One thing I will point out... If the 30 miles from FLR to Certaldo takes an hour (per google), then the average driving speed is 30 mph. That's pretty slow, perhaps stop and go.
Oct 12th, 2019 | 05:25 PM
#22
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Fodorites,
It's been awhile since I've posted here, but in the past couple of days I've learned I'll be attending a week-long conference in Certaldo Alto, Tuscany. The conference will end on Sunday, October 20th, and my husband will fly to Florence to meet me. Then we'll spend probably another 10 days or so before flying home together.
We're a retired couple, active and frequent travelers. In Italy, we've visited Venice/Florence/Siena/Lucca/Cinque Terre with side stops in Cortona, Castellina in Chianti, and Deruta--all 15 years ago. On another trip we visited Rome, then stayed in Sorrento and visited Amalfi and Positano.
We're pretty up in the air about what to do with this "found" time. Rent an AirBnB somewhere central (maybe Siena?), rent a car, and take day trips? Fly somewhere completely different, like Sicily? Maybe a flight to Croatia and spend some time there? (That one just came to me as I was writing. I think we'd both be excited to spend some time there if it doesn't add a huge amount to the air travel). We'd love some opinions. What would you do?
Time is of the essence as I've committed to the conference and need to secure our plane tickets.
Thanks so much!
Casey
It's been awhile since I've posted here, but in the past couple of days I've learned I'll be attending a week-long conference in Certaldo Alto, Tuscany. The conference will end on Sunday, October 20th, and my husband will fly to Florence to meet me. Then we'll spend probably another 10 days or so before flying home together.
We're a retired couple, active and frequent travelers. In Italy, we've visited Venice/Florence/Siena/Lucca/Cinque Terre with side stops in Cortona, Castellina in Chianti, and Deruta--all 15 years ago. On another trip we visited Rome, then stayed in Sorrento and visited Amalfi and Positano.
We're pretty up in the air about what to do with this "found" time. Rent an AirBnB somewhere central (maybe Siena?), rent a car, and take day trips? Fly somewhere completely different, like Sicily? Maybe a flight to Croatia and spend some time there? (That one just came to me as I was writing. I think we'd both be excited to spend some time there if it doesn't add a huge amount to the air travel). We'd love some opinions. What would you do?
Time is of the essence as I've committed to the conference and need to secure our plane tickets.
Thanks so much!
Casey
Oct 12th, 2019 | 11:26 PM
#24
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Update!
To wrap this up: I’m currently grounded in Lisbon as my flight from Newark arrived just late enough for me to miss the connection to Florence. I’ll get there today, just not till much later. My husband will arrive in a week when my conference ends.
Here’s what we decided to do: he’ll join me in Certaldo Alto for a couple of nights, followed by five nights in an AirBnb in San Quirico d’Orcia, four nights in Spoleto, and the last night—Halloween!—in Florence. We’ve spent time in Florence on a previous trip and decided to make this a relaxing stay, driving around Tuscany and Umbria at our own pace. After today’s travel frustrations, I’ll be so ready!
Thanks as always for the wonderful advice.
Here’s what we decided to do: he’ll join me in Certaldo Alto for a couple of nights, followed by five nights in an AirBnb in San Quirico d’Orcia, four nights in Spoleto, and the last night—Halloween!—in Florence. We’ve spent time in Florence on a previous trip and decided to make this a relaxing stay, driving around Tuscany and Umbria at our own pace. After today’s travel frustrations, I’ll be so ready!
Thanks as always for the wonderful advice.
