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Posted on 5/26/24 at 11:53 am to AbitaFan08
Abita, What time of year did you go to Florence?
Because it has such a wonderful reputation, it does get clogged with tourists in the summer. If a summer trip was your only experience, I could understand not liking it. It would be like going to 30A during spring break but never getting to experience it on a weekday in early October.
I would consider Florence and Kyoto my two favorite cities abroad. I have been 4 times now. Twice for a week in April shoulder season, once for a few days in the summer, and then again for 3 weeks in November. November was fantastic because we stayed in a more local part of town, made some friends and really experienced the city without many tourists.
Reasons I like Florence:
1) Not too big. I love to walk for miles and get lost in a city. Florence's size is perfect for this. It is also safe enough that I felt comfortable doing this even if I wandered a little too far off the beaten path.
2) Architecture/Art/History - It is the heart of the Renaissance and all of this can be seen on every corner, in your face. The museums are great too, but you don't have to go inside of them to see and feel the culture. Because of the great wars, not many European cities have been able to keep the old history in tact as well as Florence. Florence was bombed during ww2, but not as badly as other cities and Ponte Vecchio was spared.
3) Food and Wine. Doesn't need an explanation. This goes for most of Italy, but both restaurants and groceries are excellent. Great speakeasys, rooftop bars, plaza dining and more.
4) People/Vibe - People are nice enough, but also give you space. I love that the city closes for most of the midday and you can explore the mornings - nap in the day - and then head back out for the lively nightlife.
5) Central location to smaller surrounding cities. So easy to take day trips to Rome, Milan, Sienna, Luca, Balogna etc. etc.
Because it has such a wonderful reputation, it does get clogged with tourists in the summer. If a summer trip was your only experience, I could understand not liking it. It would be like going to 30A during spring break but never getting to experience it on a weekday in early October.
I would consider Florence and Kyoto my two favorite cities abroad. I have been 4 times now. Twice for a week in April shoulder season, once for a few days in the summer, and then again for 3 weeks in November. November was fantastic because we stayed in a more local part of town, made some friends and really experienced the city without many tourists.
Reasons I like Florence:
1) Not too big. I love to walk for miles and get lost in a city. Florence's size is perfect for this. It is also safe enough that I felt comfortable doing this even if I wandered a little too far off the beaten path.
2) Architecture/Art/History - It is the heart of the Renaissance and all of this can be seen on every corner, in your face. The museums are great too, but you don't have to go inside of them to see and feel the culture. Because of the great wars, not many European cities have been able to keep the old history in tact as well as Florence. Florence was bombed during ww2, but not as badly as other cities and Ponte Vecchio was spared.
3) Food and Wine. Doesn't need an explanation. This goes for most of Italy, but both restaurants and groceries are excellent. Great speakeasys, rooftop bars, plaza dining and more.
4) People/Vibe - People are nice enough, but also give you space. I love that the city closes for most of the midday and you can explore the mornings - nap in the day - and then head back out for the lively nightlife.
5) Central location to smaller surrounding cities. So easy to take day trips to Rome, Milan, Sienna, Luca, Balogna etc. etc.
Posted on 5/26/24 at 2:18 pm to dek81572
train- from Zurich to Milan then two days later to Venice then flew to Athens
Posted on 5/27/24 at 4:22 pm to dek81572
Three years ago we traveled only by train. Flew in to Venice and home from Rome. Did Venice, Florence/Tuscany , cinque Terre and Rome. Best trip of our lives. All trains except for a ferry or two in Cinque Terre and a taxi or two in Rome. If and the water taxi in Venice. All local small B&B or mom and pop boarding houses. No hostels and no major chain or high rise hotels. In our 60’s we felt like college kids and boyfriend girlfriend again except mush more pampered and luxurious. Our B&B hosts were all natives and the best tour guides. We booked professional tours and do alot of on our own. I would do it again and not change a thing!
Posted on 5/28/24 at 10:02 am to Sixafan
Just hire a driver. That’s what we do and then he is with you if you need help with your Italian
Naples is a dump.
Sorrento, Rome, Capri are all wonderful.
Naples is a dump.
Sorrento, Rome, Capri are all wonderful.
Posted on 5/28/24 at 3:18 pm to Nole Man
My son just attended a wedding outside of San Gimignano. The pictures were fabulous. He did say they had to pay the new tourist day pass in Venice. He said as soon as crossing the bridge they checked for his ticket. If you are staying in an AirbnB, you still have to have the day pass for Venice.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 6:58 pm to VABuckeye
Really?? My daughter and I want to go and work wise for her, August is the best time.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 7:38 pm to tiger91
August is not a great time. Many businesses are closed and it's hot.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 7:41 pm to dek81572
Alway have driven, starting in Rome, 1984. Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, Verona, Lake Como, Dolomites, Tuscan and Umbrian hill towns, Milan, too many to list.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 9:47 pm to r3lay3r
Just returned from our trip. We did nothing but trains (and bikes and feet). We stayed in Liguria the entire time, though, as the trip was focused on mountain bikes. Went to Cinque Terre. I won’t go there again at this time of year. Nothing against my fellow countrymen, but I don’t go to Europe to feel like I’m on 30A. It was starting to get very popular when I went there 25 years ago, but it’s just nuts now. Still very beautiful, though.
I don’t really want to blow up the area we were at, but unless you’re into climbing or mountain biking, you probably won’t care about it… but Finale Ligure and Finalborgo were amazing.
I don’t really want to blow up the area we were at, but unless you’re into climbing or mountain biking, you probably won’t care about it… but Finale Ligure and Finalborgo were amazing.
Posted on 6/19/24 at 7:11 am to hogfly
Returned from a two week march recently. Flew into Milan on the Emirates flight. Highly recommend this course of action. Just an amazing flight.
Milan - Last Supper and a ballet at La Scala. Next day Duomo tour. Train to Verona to pick up a rental car and drive to Riva del Garda. Couple nights there with an awesome day on the water in a boat.
Into Parma and Modena and stayed at an agritrousimo outside of Parma. Pasta class with a Nonna in cento. Great meal in Ferrara at trattoria de Noemi.
Two nights at Villa le calvane in the Tuscan hills before a three day jaunt in Florence. Then Rome and Naples (really Pompeii).
Busy trip but in a good way. Highlights were the pasta class, boat day, Food tour of Rome with Katie Parla, and Pompeii tour. This was the first trip where we booked private guides for most of the major sights. Have to say it was the best way to do it. Previously I’d download all the knowledge I could from books or here and lead the tours. This was a much better option and everyone enjoyed the experiences.
Great trip. Now onto the next one.
Milan - Last Supper and a ballet at La Scala. Next day Duomo tour. Train to Verona to pick up a rental car and drive to Riva del Garda. Couple nights there with an awesome day on the water in a boat.
Into Parma and Modena and stayed at an agritrousimo outside of Parma. Pasta class with a Nonna in cento. Great meal in Ferrara at trattoria de Noemi.
Two nights at Villa le calvane in the Tuscan hills before a three day jaunt in Florence. Then Rome and Naples (really Pompeii).
Busy trip but in a good way. Highlights were the pasta class, boat day, Food tour of Rome with Katie Parla, and Pompeii tour. This was the first trip where we booked private guides for most of the major sights. Have to say it was the best way to do it. Previously I’d download all the knowledge I could from books or here and lead the tours. This was a much better option and everyone enjoyed the experiences.
Great trip. Now onto the next one.
Posted on 6/19/24 at 11:04 am to AbitaFan08
quote:
Why is Florence so great?
I have to be honest, I really didn’t like it. It was crowded, touristy, quiche, and just not for me.
Do you like history?
I loved Florence. I’ve been all over Western Europe and it’s probably by favorite city but I’m also really into history.
Posted on 6/19/24 at 11:09 am to dek81572
If you’re looking for something a little more off the normal path, head for the Adriatic Coast south of Bari. There are some absolutely amazing little waterfront towns and the food and wine are incredible.
I have a feeling it’s going to explode with popularity in the next two decades.
I have a feeling it’s going to explode with popularity in the next two decades.
Posted on 6/19/24 at 11:35 am to Antonio Moss
We flew into Bari last year and drove around Puglia. Definitely a much less touristy but beautiful part of Italy.
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