Where to stay outsiiide of Florence
 

Going to Italy in October of 2018. We would like recommendations of where to stay outside of Florence, to be out of the huge crowds but close enough to spend two days in Florence sight seeing. Also want to see Sienna, Assisi, maybe Bologna, wine and food tours. We really don't want to rent a car and don't mind doing Day tours.

Thanks

From what you've mentioned I'd suggest staying in Florence. The main reason to stay outside of the cities is to rent a car and tour the smaller towns. You're doing the opposite. You'll be going into Florence basically every day. Either to see Florence or to catch a train some place

Fiesole? I know that there is one really grand hotel, but I'm not sure what else is available. But it's just a few minutes up the road from Florence with very easy bus service and not expensive taxis.

I like Fiesole. It feels separate but nearly a part of Florence.

Consider Prato (20 minutes away by train) as well as Fiesole. You can also think about staying further up in the hills of the Oltrarno & using taxis to get you into the centre or Florence or the train station.

Take a look at Il Salviatino. A grand hotel in Fiesole that provides a scheduled shuttle service into/from Florence (drops you off by the Duomo). Some of the rooms have a view of the Duomo.

If staying in Siena the bus to Florence takes an hour or less I believe.

But yes stay in Florence - there are many parts of town well outside the relatively tiny oft tourist mobbed Duomo/Uffizi area.

I've stayed in hotels that were about a mile from center and basically normal neighborhoods.

If I understand the post correctly, you want to stay outside the city to be away from the crowds but then you want to spend your time in the city sightseeing with the crowds?

Wouldn't it make more sense to stay in Florence for the two days you want to spend in the city, and then move to another location (Siena?) from which to do your day trips?

As someone noted above, it's a simple matter to find accommodations in Florence that aren't near the heavily-trafficked areas but are convenient to the major sightseeing areas.

With only two days you really don't have time to see anything but Florence. Stay in the center so you don't use what little time you have getting to and from.

We spent a month in Florence and took day trips out. Agree with others to stay in Florence and then head out. check accommodation prices for what you want in Florence and then the options outside the city. Also if you are heading out for day trips will more than likely always have to come back to Florence to head out to your day trip destination.