Topic: Ayone been to Florence?

[Sat1]

Hello people

Im in the process of booking flights to Florence, its through Ryanair going to Pisa. I need to know how far the airport is from Florence busy spot, and any hotels that can be recommended (or area to look in). Also, im thinking of doing a day trip to Tuscanny, is it worth it and how far is it? Probably hire a car for that if I do.

Cheers

Sat

[Spanish Armada]

Some say it is nicer than Rome. They're idiots, as far as I'm concerned.

However, I have relatives who own a villa in Tuscany - it's an absolutely beautiful place. Florence is usually jam-packed, so it's more sensible to go on public transport to get yourself around. Having said that, I usually go in July/August because of work commitments. It's probably different in other months, if that's when you're planning on going.

Tuscany is about a half-an-hour to forty minute bus ride from Florence (just check the times - they run about three times a day, I think), as well, by the way.

Would definitely book it, if I were you.

[Sat1]

Price from Friday to Monday comes to about £120 for two of us which is good. We would fly into Pisa, but where do I go from there? I want to stay somewhere lively, touristy area, and then spend one day going to Tuscanny.

Basically, apart from booking the flight I have no idea, how long from the airport, which are in Florence etc.

Cheers for the info 

[Eric]

Florence is really nice.  It has a small town feel that you cannot get in Rome.  Check out  Ponte Vechio.

It's very touristy with a lot of american college students.

[Spanish Armada]

Florence is really nice.  It has a small town feel that you cannot get in Rome.  Check out  Ponte Vechio.

If you're stinking rich and collect jewellery!

Seriously - good tip.

One criticism I would give Florence is that you're constantly boxed in, underneath large buildings. Rome's a lot more open. And there's more things to see.

[Scally McBeal]

Florence is in Tuscany? I don't quite understand.

Anyway, I really don't like Florence very much at all, but agree that it's a must-see. I'd get on the train or bus and get yourself to Siena or Lucca (in Tuscany) or Assisi (in Umbria) while you're there. They are all really beautiful Italian towns with plenty to see.

Pisa itself has nothing to see apart from the leaning tower and is not a very nice place - I wouldn't be tempted to spend any time there.

Agree with the above views on the relative merits of Florence of Rome. Rome every single time for me.

[kavah]

Don't get drinks and Ice creams on the terrace of the Savoy on the della Repubblica, you'll be paying off the Master card bill for years.

Do, If you're anywhere near Prato,  15k to the North, go to La Limonaia for dinner.

It's an amazing restaurant, in the Tuscan hills. It's in a  Lemon grove and you approach it up a narrow  straight road , flanked with  Cyprus trees, just like the one in Gladiator when Russell Crow goes home.

Without doubt that is the best Restaurant I have ever eaten in.

Antipasti, Pasta, Wood grilled fish and meat, Tiramissu followed by home made Lemoncino

 

[Sat1]

Cheers guys,

Is it worth getting a flight from Pisa to Florence airport? I heard the journey is around an hour.

[kavah]

Cheers guys,

Is it worth getting a flight from Pisa to Florence airport? I heard the journey is around an hour.

No, it's only about 70 k ( 45 mins to an hour depending on traffic)

[muzzy54]

No, it's only about 70 k ( 45 mins to an hour depending on traffic)

I made the journey between the two by train as well, and I would recommend this as a cheap, comfortbale and not too lenghty option.  Pisa is a day trip and no more- you don't want to linger.  If you're tacky like me, you might buy (at an exorbitant price) a mini leaning tower from the stalls across from the real one itself.

I would say Rome over Florence every day of the week and twice on Sundays.  Just the word- 'Rome'- it even sounds superior to anywhere else.  However, I would say that Florence is the most beautiful city in Italy and no one who has ever been there will have regretted the experience.  Some people say it is more of an indoor city than an outdoor one- that may or may not be true.  But it is a "Citta d'arte", a city of art.  The Uffizi is the best picture house in Italy, period.  I queued for 5 hours to get in and it was well worth the wait.

If you like to read, then make sure you take E.M. Forster's "A Room with a View", and read it while you're there- like I did (he says rather smuggly). At night make sure you take a stroll to the courtyard of the Uffizzi.  I'm not sure if they still do it, but when I went there was a guy with a violin playing in the balmy night air.  Rather pretentious, I know, but it's great to sit their and listen to it and be surrounded by all that spleandour.

[Sat1]

Sounds really good, and missus will love it reckon, meaning good things 

I'll probably go for renting a car from the airport because its a early flight home and dont know if trains will be running. Whats the journey from Pisa to Florence like?

[xavidub]

The Uffizi is great and also the Duomo

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Mate,

Did precisely the same trip about two years ago.  There is a cheap and regular bus service from Pisa airport to the train station. There are then regular trains to Florence, they are really cheap and the journey time was about an hour I recall.

One of our flights was at an awkward time too so we stayed overnight in Pisa and that was fine.  As Scally said there isn't a great deal to do in Pisa, but the Campo de Miracoli, which contains the leaning tower, the cathedral, baptistry and an old walled cemetery (which we firebombed*) is unmissable. 

We both loved Florence, it's fantastic for just wandering around calling alternatively at churchs and bars.  We went in late October (half term) and it was great, not too busy but the weather was nice too.

* when I say we I mean Bomber Harris and his boys rather than me and the missus

[Izzy Bully*****]

got family who live in pietra santa which is just by Lucca.been too florence 3 times and liked it.the foods boss and theres good shops there aswell.

[JP-65]

I'm posting this from Todi, in Umbria, a couple of hours south of Florence (1/2 way between Rome and Florence).

Florence is a wonderful town, and I agree with everything said about Pisa. 

Stay away from eating/drinking in the 2 main squares as they are very expensive.  There is always someone playing in the square inisde the Uffizi at night, and the acoustics are wonderful, it's quite special.  The gallery is spectacular as well.  A replica of Michaelangelo's "David" is in the Piazza Della Signora which is right next to the Uffizi, and the Ponte Vecchio is right around the corner, all 5 minutes from the Duomo which is superb.

There is a Novotel near the Florence airport, which is relatively inexpensive, and has a regular shuttle bus which goes to the train station (10 minute walk to all the big sites).

Siena is special, well worth the trip. San Gimiganano is also really cool, but "smallish".  Lucca is also not far away (between Florence and Pisa) and is a really neat place.

Further afield (and close to where I am now), Assissi is super, as is Orvieto, and Todi.  If you want further info on these places, just ask.

[JP-65]

Just south of Florence is "The Mall".  Basically outlet shopping for all the Italian name brands such as Armani, Zegna, Todd's etc.

I visit wineries when I'm down here.

If you want further info on any of this, reply and I'll detail as much as I can.