Hi all! Thank you SO much for your suggestions thus far! It's helped us re-think some of the decisions on our upcoming trip to Italy (Aug. 6-21).
We have about a week we want to spend in the Tuscany area and visiting Florence. A question-- should we attempt to home base in Tuscany (seeing Siena and San Gimigniano) and make day trips into Florence or should we split our stay btw Tuscany and a hotel in Florence? We'll be renting a car to travel to the Tuscany region, so we do have some flexibility.
If we should home base in Tuscany, where would be the best area to stay if we want to be able to go into Florence?
Thank you so much for your help!
--One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of shore for a very long time- Andre Gide
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Posts: 3 | Location: No. California | Registered: 24 July 2002
You can stay in Florence and see the Accademia, Uffizi, just walking around is fabulous.....and have some great meals and enjoy the city by night when it is cooler and quieter.
There are also the sales on so shopping is also fabulous right now.
Then enjoy the countyside without having to spend so much time in your car! You won't need a car in the Cinque Terre or in Florence..so I would just rent it in Florence and then so Tuscany and Umbria on your way back to Rome.
Judy Divina Cucina Florence Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!
[This message was edited by Pauline on July 25, 2002 at 07:21 PM.]
Hi Andre- We just returned from Tuscany and faced the same question. We ended up renting a small villa (http://www.relaisfarmholiday.it/sezione_uk.htm)and it worked out fabulously. I highly recomend finding a place such as this as a base. We were just on the edge of Impruneta which is about 10 kilometers from Florence. It was a short bus ride and an even shorter car ride into the city. We usually parked on the edge of the city and walked in so as to avoid driving in the center which is a truely scary place in a car. The best part was that we could jump in our car at the villa and head right off into Tuscany without dealing with the Florence traffic. In just five minutes we were deep into the Chianti surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. In less than 45 minutes we were in Sienna or Cole di Val d'Elsa (highly recomended) or even San Gimigano (kind of not recomended unless you like Euro Disney...pretty but way to many tourists.) We were also able to explore for resturaunts in the countryside that we would otherwise have missed. Florence was still easily available by cab, bus or car for a day trip or even dinner.And we could walk into the village for grocieries, dinner or just hanging in the square listening to a band concert. I'll be posting reviews and a trip report with in a few days...if I can just get over the jet lag! Hope this helps.
I'd suggest you stay at Carlos appartment which is 5 km from the centre of Firenze. You can bus in to the centre of town in 20 min. or hop in your car and head out into the tuscan countryside. Best of both worlds.
Posts: 893 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 20 January 2002
I vote for stay in the countryside and day trip. If you stay near Florence you can day trip easily to Lucca wheras if you stay near Siena you can go farther south to Montalcino, Montepulciano, etc.
I am going to pull my Polizia della Regione Toscana routine again. Sorry. Habit. Anyway, when asking about Tuscany vs Florence, remember that Florence is in Tuscany and what you seem to be asking is about the Tuscan countryside. Sorry again for my butting in like this again.
Cristina A San Franciscan in Siena Read my report on the Palio di Siena
My comment is that towns have a different feel in early mornings and in the evenings after the daytrippers have left. I find those times special and enjoyable, and feel daytrippers miss experiencing a place in this way - unless you really get there early and stay 'til late. I wouldn't take anything for being able to walk in a city like Florence at 7:30 AM, seeing the Arno then, seeing the Duomo in that light.
SALLY WATKINS, Certified Travel Counselor sally@century-tvl.com www.sallywatkins.com My business depends on referrals - please tell someone today!
We just returned from Tuscany. Trip report to post soon. We were 10k south of Siena. It was very easy to jump on the SS2 to Florence (just over and hour) or into Siena (20 min). It also gave us great access to Montalcino, and other small villages. Go for the countryside.
Slow Travel Talk 
