Visiting Fiesole while in Florence - day or night?
Jan 25th, 2011, 06:13 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Visiting Fiesole while in Florence - day or night?
We will be in Florence next month for 4 days (out of which we plan to take a side trip to Siena for most of a day). It is our first trip to Florence although we know Italy quite well otherwise. In this forum and elsewhere, people say that it is very worthwhile to take the short bus trip from Florence to Fiesole, which overlooks the city.
A couple of questions: recognising the shortness of daylight in February, would we be missing much if we did the trip to Fiesole in the evening instead of during the day? And in either event how much time should be allowed to look around Fiesole, including relaxing over a drink and/or a light meal?
Finally, what are the highlights of Fiesole as far as forum members are concerned?
Thanks for any help that can be offered.
A couple of questions: recognising the shortness of daylight in February, would we be missing much if we did the trip to Fiesole in the evening instead of during the day? And in either event how much time should be allowed to look around Fiesole, including relaxing over a drink and/or a light meal?
Finally, what are the highlights of Fiesole as far as forum members are concerned?
Thanks for any help that can be offered.
Jan 25th, 2011, 07:38 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The real point about Fiesole is the view over Florence.
While that's doubtless nicest at the right sunset, sunsets in Feb are very short, and - unless it's both full moon AND cloudless - there's virtually no view afterwards. Florence isn't New York or Hong Kong.
I'm not at all sure what the sunset view's like under heavy February cloud (though heavy cloud isn't guaranteed): probably just gloomier than during the day.
While that's doubtless nicest at the right sunset, sunsets in Feb are very short, and - unless it's both full moon AND cloudless - there's virtually no view afterwards. Florence isn't New York or Hong Kong.
I'm not at all sure what the sunset view's like under heavy February cloud (though heavy cloud isn't guaranteed): probably just gloomier than during the day.
Jan 25th, 2011, 07:55 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi AD,
Late afternoon for sightseeing and looking at the views; evening to watch the sunset from the patio of the Bar Bleu. It has Infrared heaters for cold weather.
You can have dinner there as well.
Enjoy your visit.
Late afternoon for sightseeing and looking at the views; evening to watch the sunset from the patio of the Bar Bleu. It has Infrared heaters for cold weather.
You can have dinner there as well.
Enjoy your visit.
Jan 25th, 2011, 11:03 AM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were interested in doing Florence at night. Surprisely there are very few street lights so it was a disappointment. Consequently, there will not be as much of Florence as you might expect to see from Fiseole. ditto the others, go during the day.
Jan 26th, 2011, 05:40 AM
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are some awesome Roman ruins up there as well as a small museum (if that interests you) - and plenty of walking to do also. It is an interesting side trip and can easily take half a day or more of your time, and there are several places to eat lunch or dinner on the main square. I agree with day time for the views - it is pretty far and Florence is small from there. If you want something closer (where you can actually see more than the Duomo in the distance) you can also try the Piazzale Michelangelo.
