Comments on: Day Trips from Florence

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:41:57 +0000

I don’t know the bus schedules well enough to answer that question for you, but you can do much of the necessary research online. On my bus travel in Italy page:

http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-trip/bus-travel-in-italy.html

You’ll see links to bus companies. The Tra-In company links Siena with both Florence and San Gimignano, but it doesn’t look like it connects San Gimignano with Florence for your return trip. The SITA company connects Florence with both Siena and San Gimignano, the latter via a transfer in Poggibonsi. You can look up timetables on those sites to find out more about how often/when the buses run in order to get an idea of whether it’s a circuit you want to try in one day. (The SITA site is all in Italian, but if you click on “Linee Regionali” you’ll see an option for “Toscana” – click on that and you’ll then see a link for “Linea Firenze-San Gimignano” that will give you a timetable.)

By: Deepa

Deepa — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:16:09 +0000

Jessica,

I want to visit Siena and San Gimignano. Because I can access buses between both towns and Florence, I thought about doing a full day for both. I would leave Florence in the morning and go to Siena. I would then take a bus to San Gimignano in the afternoon before heading back to Florence. Is this way too ambitious?

By: Kevin Evans

Kevin Evans — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:41:16 +0000

Lucca comes highly recommended for opera aficionados – it is after all the birthplace of the great Puccini. But even if you’re not into opera, Lucca is still a wonderful place to see – medieval walled city, some of the most spectacular church exteriors in the world such as San Michele and San Frediano.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:31:33 +0000

Hi, Heather:

I’m so glad you’re finding the site useful! Would love to know if you see any gaps – if there are questions I haven’t yet answered – but I suppose those are the questions you’re asking in comments, eh?

Two things:

* Venice – I don’t think you need to stay in the San Marco area, I just STRONGLY advocate for staying on the islands as opposed to the mainland. For a 1st trip to Venice, being close to San Marco can be magical, but everything’s walking distance so it’s not critical (and you can usually find better deals on hotels away from the San Marco area, too).

* Florence – Definitely get yourself a map of the historic center of Florence and have it handy when you’re looking at where hotels are. You want to be in the historic center, no question. If you use the Duomo as the for-all-intents-and-purposes central point of the historic center, you just want to be within walking distance of it. I don’t think you’re in the market for hostels, but one easy way to find hotels near the Duomo is by going to this post I wrote about hostels near the Duomo:

http://www.italylogue.com/accommodation/florence-hostels-near-the-duomo.html

Click on the red star (the icon marking the Duomo) and then click the link for “Find Nearby Accommodations.” You’ll get only places that are actually within a short walk from the church.

And now I know I need to write a post about HOTELS near the Duomo, huh??

Hope that helps,
Jessica

By: Heather Reilly

Heather Reilly — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:28:43 +0000

Hi Jessica,

Is there a certain area (or areas) of Florence that you suggest when trying to select a hotel? For example, I know in Venice, you advocate staying in the San Marco area. When looking at hotels on Expedia and the like, it’s hard to tell which ones are centrally located vs. on the outskirts. Any pointers?

FYI- I am finding your site SO incredibly helpful as I plan my trip. It’s been able to answer almost every question that’s come up so far.

Thanks again!
Heather

By: William Wallace

William Wallace — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:31:52 +0000

I must admit Florence has never really been on my radar as far as places to visit are concerned, but this article has grabbed my attention and got me very interested in visiting there in the near future.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:19:28 +0000

Excellent, as usual!

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:04:23 +0000

another great post!

My favorite on the list is the Mugello Valley… probably the least touristy (which is why it’s my favorite), and towns like Scarperia are really gems.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:37:24 +0000

My favorite aspect of the city is the little streets that weave in and out around the center where you find so many interesting stalls and friendly people.

By: G Domingos

G Domingos — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:34:03 +0000

You failed to mention Monticchiello, our most favorite place in Italy. It is a small thousand year old Tuscan village, has many apartments for rent (http://www.lemaribelle.it), a wonderful osteria (Osteria la Porta), post office, library. We recommend visitors check it out!