where to stay in florence, italy rick steves

On http://www.momondo.com/hotels I find 965 rooms. In the Germanic world, pedestrians wait patiently at red lights. Lucca sits in the northwest corner of Tuscany, rather than along the central Florence-Siena-Rome corridor. So the main unknown in the trip (so far) is where to stay in Florence. It's in San Marcos, reasonable walk from the Sant'Angelo stop, but about halfway between Piazza SM and the bridge to Dorsodoro, around the corner from P. Santo Stefano. Cost averaged 70 Euro per night for one guest(higher on the weekend) There are plenty of bathrooms. I am taking my 2 college aged sons there next month. We also fell in love with a place (I think it's a Venice chain) called Farini. on the way to Florence for 5 days. But, in this neighborhood - you get better value for your food dollars. Florence is very compact and walkable. I asked myself that several times before I arrived, and the answer was entirely practical: Because it was the only place between Milan and Croatia that had a direct flight to Prague, where I was heading next. Travelers new to Italy are sometime more at ease at a hotel with 24/7 desk services than being on their own. We love to ride bikes on the Renaissance walls of Lucca right after checking in to our B&B. Ridiculously good unforgettable multi course home style authentic Italian meal fo 15 euros. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Venice, Florence, Rome. This far out, you should be able to find the perfect place. Use Rick's tips to beat the crowds, skip lines, and avoid tourist traps." Bolognas historic center is big enough (roughly 1.5 miles across) to provide endless options for walking, shopping & dining for all budgets, dining, and a variety of under-appreciated sights, attractions and activities. In addition to being convenient to Verona, it is also a short drive to Lake Garda which we also absolutely loved. Offal sandwiches originated as an affordable source of protein for working-class Florentines. Cities along the train line to Florence that you might consider depending on your interests: Perfect location, and several great Gelato shops very near by. Its a terrific city. We had also visited the usual tourist sites on a wonderful Rick Steves Heart of Italy tour prior to this side trip and as spectacular the tour was, nothing could beat our time spent in the Lucca Province and reconnecting with my paternal roots. Unless you already have a specific place where your party wants to paint or photograph, I would stay in Florence or Siena and use it as your hub. The only other American tourist I spotted was a gentleman from Atlanta who lives part-time near Lake Como and, like me, is an aficionado of untouristy Italy. Around the corner is a favorite restaurant of ours, "Ai Tre Leoni" where we ate 2 times last visit! We are in Florence now and rules change frequently. Terms of Service | Privacy. . Dont tell anyone but In nearby Possagno you can visit the church dedicated to hometown hero Antonio Canova who has art all over Italy and even a statue in The Louver. I have read Castello is beautiful for the old architecture, and that Cannaregio is actually pretty nice too. travelguymiami, sometimes this forum is the first stop. We walked along an ancient cobbled road into Barga for dinners. Both were great. we'll see:D. If you decide to stay in Venice proper, check out Locanda Fiorita. We have rented a beautiful ancient apartment in the middle of the old town, very near the castle. Try booking.com for hotel options. I can see a change in plans on the horizon. Over the centuries, the spectacular scenery and climate have been a siren call for the rich and famous, luring Roman emperor Tiberius, Richard Wagner, Sophia Loren, Gore Vidal, and others to the Amalfi Coast's special brand of la dolce vita. Also, the squares have pianos and the students walk up and play at will. (photo: Ben Cameron) Florence offers plenty of engaging cooking classes. The Field of Miracles is stunning and worth seeing. I was quite comfortable at this location. Some of the best meals Ive had in Italy were in those cities. From there I also enjoy taking day trips to Asolo and Asiago a couple of more non-touristy places especially Asolo. An exception to that general statement is that staying on Giudecca is not really convenient. well. Was a recommendation from Trip Advisor, I think. It had one hotel and a wonderful place to eat! Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca or even Siena (all probably 1-1.5 hours by train or bus) Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines. How long are you staying? We just returned from Italy and spent 4 nights in Florence. Coffee and ejf: How to Travel as a Temporary European. I really enjoyed the short chat we had in Treviso back in September 2021, maybe if we meet up again some day, well have time to stop for an espresso or a Aperol spritz. HomeAway Rental 11939. Bassano del Grappa is also home to the Poli Grappa Museum. We stay at a beautiful apartment facing into Piazza Santa Marie Novella - 2 minutes walk from the station. There is one place people venture out here to visit, and its just a half-hour from Lucca: Pisa. Weve always wondered about the mountains we saw from the northern part of the wall. Go. Instead, I enjoyed simply exploring Treviso, which I had entirely to myself. Your email address will not be published. (photo: Rick Steves) Sampling Italian cuisine is sightseeing for your palate. Clean bathrooms, A/C, nice window view of San Marco square. There are also wonderful wineries making Amarone and Valpolicello. Your email address will not be published. I discovered Ferrara about 5 years ago when I needed to choose a place on the map to stop the night before going to Venice. I'm seeing great reviews. I stopped off at a few other new-to-me places that I also enjoyed. WebFlorence for Foodies By Rick Steves Florence's Mercato Centrale bursts with colorful meats, olives, produce, and cheeses perfect for cobbling together a fresh Florentine picnic. I enjoyed one of the former during my time here and, not coincidentally, have put on enough pandemic weight not to be too interested in the latter at the moment. Keep in mind that the smaller the village or the more rural the locale, the more challenging will be to reach it without a car. Going in September. It's going to be a surprise. It was February so It wasnt loaded with busful of tourists. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 1) What's the goal of not staying in Florence? Why dont you or Rick offer a tour to these lesser- known places not just as side triip suggestions? More important, I dont think a guidebook is necessary to enjoy these towns. We have a tour booked at the Pagani factory and will also visit Ferrari museum. It will take you a while but the views are extraordinary. We traveled to and from Venice several times, took the train to Florence, and to Verona for an opera at the magnificent arena. I really enjoyed bumping into you and having a chat. Has anyones stayed here? You do not have to pay to see the museum to eat there. I would recommend Hotel Albani Firenze on Via Fiume in Florence. WebAmalfi Coast Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves Explore Europe Italy Amalfi Coast Amalfi Share Amalfi Coast With its stunning scenery, hill- and harbor-hugging towns, and historic ruins, Amalfi is Italy's coast with the most. Terms of Service | Privacy, Florence & Tuscany: Recommended Books and Movies, Assisi and Italian Country Charm (episode), Florence: Heart of the Renaissance (episode), Florentine Delights and Tuscan Side-Trips (episode), Renaissance Art and Architecture in Florence (clip), Siena and Tuscanys Wine Country (episode), Travel Talks: Hill Towns of Tuscany & Umbria, Florences Accademia: The Temple of David, Italy Connoisseurs Choose Leisurely Lucca, Sienas Palio: 500 Years of History in 90 Seconds, Tuscanys Powerful, Towerful San Gimignano, Volterra and San Gimignano: Hill Towns with a Twist, Pleasures of Italian Cuisine In Italy, weve been to Moena in the Dolomites charming, Grosseto had a fun unexpected night local music festival and an amazing dinner, Lucca, Arezzo attended their jousting festival and my B&B host recommended a fantastic tiny restaurant, Stresa lovely and stayed last time at a boutique hotel on Isola Bella, Parma memorable meal at La Forchetta & my favorite Italian cathedral. I'm putting all of these suggestions in our Venice section right now so we have it for our Venice part of our trip. These are the places where the locals eat. Cooking classes are an ideal way to learn a thing or two about this region's prodigious culinary tradition. I liked it even more this time around. In a single day, you can look Michelangelo's David in the eyes, fall under the seductive sway of Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and climb the modern world's first dome, which still dominates the skyline. But Modena is more than food; thats just a trojan horse for attracting travelers to one of Italys finest and most livable small cities. In a single day, you can look Michelangelo's David in the eyes, fall under the seductive sway of Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and climb the modern world's first dome, which still dominates the skyline. So great that you found this post. To mix things up, seek out some lesser-known towns that are, in their own way, just as satisfying but have a fraction of the crowds. Very expensive and not best quality unless you have big bucks to spend. The Cinque Terra, Florence, Venice, and Rome have changed so much since the 80s. It is operated by Carmel (Boston native) and her husband Italian husband Pino. It's a nice, reasonably priced place, and you have the added benefit of the pleasant Piazza della Santissima Annunziata right in front of the hotel. Thanks in advance, If youve watched any foodie TV about Emilia-Romagna, youve surely seen Massimo mugging for the camera as he shaves delicate curls from gigantic wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Please don't take this the wrong way, but how do you decide to go to Venice (or for that matter anywhere) and then ask total strangers for advice about what you should do ? For food lovers I suggest looking into a cooking class. Lisa is correct. city. A car is most helpful for exploring the hill town regions and the Dolomites. 19:00 Cross Ponte Vecchio for dinner and take my guidebooks' self-guided Oltrarno Walk. In Tuscany, my wife and I stopped off for lunch in Lucca which has long been one of my favorite Tuscan towns. WebAnd talking about where to stay near Siena, Rick Steves recommends Borgo Argenina: Borgo Argenina has eight rooms & villas in a well-maintained splurge of a B&B, 20 minutes north of Siena by car in the Chianti region. WebTo help you get started, we've listed our top picks for where to go in Tuscany, and our plan for your best two-week trip. But dont forget that theres so much of Europe to see, beyond its marquee cities. It can be the site of some musical and other events that may cause some noise, though, so I'd ask the hotel if they're aware of anything going on during your dates. 16:30 Uffizi with a reservation. Vincenza is worth a day, the others could be several days. And the upstairs is a bustling food court open late into the evening. In whatever city youre visiting just wander down the narrow, quieter side streets and look for the small cafes & restaurants with only a few tables outsides. But it turned out to be far from an act of desperation; it was one my favorite meals of the trip. Looking for suggestions for places to stay, possibly even with a Rick Steves discount for a few days in October 2021. But lesser-known gems like these are everywhereand not just in Italy. If a dish's name ends with "alla toscana" or "alla fiorentina," that means it's cooked in the Tuscan or Florentine style usually a preparation highlighting local products. Maybe my personal favorite part was walking all the way around the top it was booked on every other site so that was my option. May 12, 2019 by Rick Steves My Florence Hotel: Location, Location, Location Join me at the place Ive called home for the last few days in Florence Hotel Loggiato Dei Serviti and check out my rooftop view of the Duomo, coming right in Happy to see your photo and one line about Bassano! From the bus station near the train station you can also take buses to towns served only by buses. Neighborhood - you get better value for your food dollars aged sons there month! Miracles is stunning and worth seeing more at ease at a hotel 24/7. Are sometime more at ease at a beautiful apartment facing into Piazza Santa Marie -! Act of desperation ; it was one my favorite meals of the old architecture, and Rome have so... Carmel ( Boston native ) and her husband Italian husband Pino to.. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Venice, Florence, Venice, and avoid tourist.. Central Florence-Siena-Rome corridor and worth seeing others could be several days visit, and Rome changed... 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