Fiesole was a popular summer retreat in the 14th century for rich Florentines, and it remains to be the wealthiest suburb of Florence. Clickhereto pre-book an entry ticket to the palazzo. Inside, youll find the Allegory of Good and Bad Government, one of the most famous fresco cycles in Italy. Its a well-preserved burnt orange dream littered with cute cafes and shops. Art lovers should visit the House of Giorgio Vasari, the famed Florentine architect and artist. The valley's distinctive landscape features flat chalk plains, out of which rise almost conical hills topped with fortified settlements and magnificent abbeys that were once important staging points on the Via Francigena. Some are only a short distance apart, so if you have your own car, you can easily tied them together for longer days out. At the other lies the splendid Piazza Garibaldi. A town that perfectly expressed the Renaissance canons of art and architecture. A food-tasting tour is a great way to be sure to sample all the bestBologna has to offer. The picturesque agricultural valley of Val d'Orcia is a Unesco World Heritage site, as is the historic center of the town of Pienza on its northeastern edge. There is any opportunity to purchase the wines, oils and vinegars and they will ship and handle everything for you. Our first stop just outside the city walls to look down over Florence, gave us the most incredible vantage point! From there, you catch bus #130. Florence is, after all, ideally located as a base to cover most of the rest of Tuscany and even further. Walk up the hill to visit the Girifalco Fortress and the beautiful Santa Margherita Sanctuary. WebFlorence (Driving Time: 50 minutes - take the regional train for Florence about 55 minutes) This marvelous city offers many wonderful opportunities not just with the astounding number of museums, monuments and artwork but also culinary specialties, archetictural beauty and the romance. Chianti is a popular area in Siena was an unquestioned highlight. Day tripping is a good way to escape Florences adoring (and sometimes maddening) crowds during the day. How to get to Bologna: Bologna is about a90-minute drive from Florence. The Etruscan Academy Museum houses a collection of bronze and ceramic artefacts from many of the ancient archaeological sites in the city. Climb up the Leaning Tower for an exhilarating experience! So, once you've had your fill of the city's amazing sights, use it as a base for fantastic day trips around and beyond Tuscany. But you dont have to. To narrow it down, here are Italy's top experiences. Ive generally focused on beautiful places you can generally reach in 2 hours or less. The main town in the Chianti Fiorentino, Greve is a hub of the local wine industry and has an amiable market-town air. Here is our list of best regions to visit in 2023. You can climb the towers 230 steps for views over Lucca. Here is our list of best cities. The tallest surviving tower, the Torre Guinigi, is fetchingly capped with a bushy forest. In short, its a pretty epic day trip from Florence. In the Chapel of Saint Fina, there are paintings by early Renaissance master Ghirlandaio. How to get there: From Santa Maria Novella, Florence, take a regional train to Lucca Station. You can also take a2 hour all inclusive tourto explore all the monuments on the Field of Miracles. Visit the Pienza Cathedral and the Piccolomini Palace with its wonderful roof garden. With a full belly, we will move on to the little town of San Gimignano, so pretty and architecturally significant, its a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can take a (much slower) ferry/boat ride to the villages. Then, head to Bolognas medieval Quadrilatero neighborhood and meander through the medieval lanes filled with shops. Visit the charming village of Manarola. Florence entices you to hop on a bus or train and go and explore central Italy with charming towns like Siena in the south, Bologna in the north and Pisa and Lucca in the west. The frescos are significant because they mark the transition from the Gothic period of art history to the early Renaissance. Giorgio Vasari described the 8 scenes as a beautiful thing, full of expressive pathos. Web#2 in Best Day Trips from Florence Just a two-hour train ride north of Florence, Venice's romantic landscape enchants just about every traveler who crosses its path. In Montelupos colorful centro historico, you can find scads of tony shops with hand made artisan pieces. It's surrounded by hugely picturesque vineyards. You cant really understand Florence without understanding the Medicis. He was very knowledgable, kind and made our tour one we'll remember for years to come! So dont be surprised to see eye-watering price tags in the boutiques in town. When the inspector comes, try to explain to him what happened. Donatello decorated the exterior pulpit, while Fra Fillipi Lippi and Agnoli Gaddi painted fresco cycles. You may want to book a guided walking tour of Verona or a walking tour that includes a skip the entrance to Juliets House. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If traveling by train go toPoggibonsi-San Gimignano and take a bus the rest of the way., Siena is where the architecture soars, as do the souls of many of its visitors. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. In Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of the city, is the iconic duo of leaning towers the Torre Degli Asinelli. Find out why our Tuscany tours are unbeatable. As you might expect, Radda has plenty of wine bars and wine-centric restaurants. READ:Complete Guide To the Mosaics of Ravenna, Time to get there by train: 2:50Time to drive to Ravenna: 2:15. Be forewarned, gas is very expensive in Italy. It gives you maximum flexibility and is faster, especially for out of the way destinations without good connections. Our tour and guide was amazing. The post 12 Fantastic Day Trips from Florence by Train appeared first on Marcie in Mommyland. When youre hungry, grab a bit at LOsteria or Ristorante LAltana. All rights reserved. Its a typical charming Italian town. Also, check out the fascinating collection of Roman artefacts and ceramics. Have some gelato and admire the classic Tuscan architecture of the town along its cobbled streets. This allows us to avoid the parking lots outside of the center requiring us to walk. Just look how charming it is. Our next stop will be eclectic, iconic Siena miraculously spared from bombing during WWIImaking it a pristine medieval gem in the midst of the Tuscan region. Lucca doesnt really have any must see sites, which means its under the radar for most tourists. The Duomo is free to visit, though youll need to pick up a timed entry ticket. Its Volterras main landmark, built by Etruscans in the 3rd century B.C. Here are 11 incredible places to mark the changing of the season. In fact, the 13th century Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is one of Italys best known churches. Then we were off to Siena. Youll also find Vasari paintings and his correspondence with Michelangelo and Cosimo I de Medici. Embark on a delightful 12.5-hour excursion and immerse yourself in the wonders of Tuscany. Get a Cinque Terre Train Card if you plan to visit all villages. You can book a guided tour that includes Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano, a guided tour that includes Sienna, San Gimignano, and Chianti or a private tour to Siena and San Gimignano. Most of the buildings were made with Sienas characteristic red clay. His knowledge about everywhere that we visited, extended to conversations about things that we were interested in and the driver was also very competent friendly and helpful. Nicknamed La Grassa, or the Big Fat, for its delicious food, Bologna just oozes medieval charm. I would highly recommend anyone considering doing a day tour to choose either this one or one of the others offered by the company. All rights reserved. Who doesnt want that cheesy and touristy photo holding up the Leaning Tower? If you yearn to see the Mediterranean sea, Viareggio is your best bet. WebFlorence to Cinque Terre Hiking Day Trip with Boat Ride 2023 Explore Florence and beyond What To Expect Book online or call: (888) 651-9785 Home Things to do in Italy Things to do in Tuscany Things to do in Florence Florence Tours Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises Tours by Duration Day Trips Are you interested in? Its one of the most beautiful Renaissance churches in Italy. Happily, Lucca never tore them down, like many Italian towns did to make way for modernity. Add a few of these to your itinerary to get that extra kick from your Italy backpacking trip! From start to finish the emphasis of our day trip from Florence is on indulgence: indulge in stunning scenery, delicious wines, and lazy strolls on our all-inclusive Tuscan adventure. Its one of the best cities to visit in Tuscany for its Prato is essentially a suburb of Florence and hence a very easy day trip from Florence. How to get there: From Firenze S.M.N Florence, take a train to Pistoia. Be sure to walk under the famous 666 Portico. This is the best thing about Italy as a whole youre never short of breathtaking places to go to. There are plenty of amazingthings to do in Montepulciano. Sam Gimignanos historic center is a UNESCO site. Monteriggioni is an idyllic walled town in the Tuscany. Clickhereto book a walking tour of Volterra. If you want, climb the spiral staircase for magnificent views, If you want, climb the spiral staircase for magnificent views, you have tobook a ticket in advanceto ensure a spot. But some critics say the restoration was clumsy and ruined portions of the medieval frescos. The Basilica Di San Michele in Foro and the Basilica of San Frediano, both have unique front facades and stunning stonework. I would recommend this tour to anyone lucky enough to be visiting Florence! UP YOUR PACKING GAME! Instead, Cinque Terre gives you some of the most amazing and iconic views of Italy. After youve explored all the sights in Florence, There are so many things to do and see in the region. While in Radda, it only makes sense tovisit a local wineryor go on aguided wine tour. Bologna has some incredible medieval architectural delights. Its one of Europes most beautiful churches, especially for lovers of all things Gothic. From Florence: Full-Day Tuscan Wine Tour with Lunch Enjoy round trip transportation from the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence to two Tuscan wine producers on this exciting 10-hour tour. Its one of the most iconic places to visit in Italy and its one of those places you just have to experience. A huge shoutout to Viola who made our day trip to Tuscany an experience of a lifetime! Ravennas most famous son is Dante Alighier. This is Italian food at its finest, all included in the price of your tour. Located in Umbria, Assisi is about a 2 hour day trip from Florence. Pienza is known as the first ideal Renaissance town. It was the brainchild of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who would later become Pope Pius II. Its still entirely contained within its stout Renaissance walls. Plus, there are speed cameras everywhere. In summer, sunny Viareggio is popular and crowded. You should also stroll through Veronas picturesque piazzas, the Piazza dei Signori (with a statue of Dante) and the Piazza dell Erbe (with a statue of another poet, Barbarani). Florence Source: Mikadun / But before you drive into the rolling hills of Tuscany, we'll make a stop at Florence's best panoramic viewpoint for photos. WebFlorence to Pisa day trip. Day-trippers are lured here by a palpable sense of history, an intact medieval streetscapeand the enchanting rural setting. Theres no remnants of the arena. Cortona has an alluring old-world charm and is one of the classic and most loved hilltop towns of Tuscany. Montalcinos historic center has barely changed in centuries. The Galleria Nazionale Dell'Umbria is Umbria's foremost museum, with works displayed chronologically over 40 different rooms.. Lippis beautiful frescos are in the choir. Want more deetz on why we love itso damn much? The town was made famous with the help of E. M. Forster's A Room with a View, whose characters chose the town for its unsurpassed views of Florence. You'll enjoy a full tour of the city then have free time to shop for local Italian specialties or climb the citys campanile for the other best view in Tuscany. If you admired Vasaris frescos in Florences Palazzo Vecchio, you should definitely admire his frescoed house. The historic contrade (districts) are marvelous withvibrant streets full of artisanal boutiques, sweet-smelling pasticcerie (pastry shops) and tempting restaurants.Siena is an essential stop on every Tuscan itinerary., How to get to Siena: Siena is about an hour's drive from Florence, and is served by a direct bus service.. Like the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery is on unstable soil and leans slightly toward the Duomo. To visit the Siena Duomo complex properly, you need to pre-purchase theOpa Si Pass. It leans because its a product of poor engineering and soft soil, nothing else. They were the homes of wealthy merchants families. The town is located in the gorgeous Val dOrcia region of centralTuscany, where cypress trees line winding roads and sun-bleached valleys. Youll see the town in a vista long before you arrive. As the lunch hour arises, take a tour of an authentic farm, complete with spreading vineyards and full wine cellars. From Roma Aurelia station, hop on a direct REG Trenitalia service to Santa Marinella station. It's not picturesque (most of the architecture is modern and unattractive), but it does boast an attractive, historic central square, and is a good place to joina cycling tour. Okay, lets get back to reality and do what we actually can do: an easy day trip from Florence! When youre done with all that, take some time to sample Veronas inventive restaurants and delicious wine bars. Our tour guide Paolo was wonderful & so knowledgeable about each magnificent spot we visited. Youll also want to visit the Church of San Francesco, with frescos by Cenni di Francesco telling the Legend of the True Cross. How To Get from Rome to Santa Marinella by Train. Consistent with the Gothic ethos that more is always better, every inch is decorated with marble, mosaics, sculptures, and frescos. READ: Guide To the Michelangelo Trail in Florence. Inside, theres a central nave and two flanking aisles on each side, with intricate Corinthian columns and arches. It sounds dramatic but Florence is all about drama. What you eat will depend on the regional season. Volterra served as the home base of the Volturi vampire coven. Time to get there by high speed train: 1.5 hours. Heres my guide to the 21 best easy day trips from Florence Italy. Pisa is one of the best and easiest day trips from Florence. I believe in the salutary and magical effects of a temporary geographical cure and have been running away from real life to seek treatment for years. A statue of Datini stands outside his palazzo in Pratos town center. Experience, Travel through Tuscany to Siena, Chianti, and San Gimignano in a small luxury vehicle with no more than 14 others, Stroll the beautiful medieval town of Siena, see its cathedral from the outside, the location of the Palio, and wander its atmospheric streets, Enjoy a locally-sourced lunch with a wine-tasting at an authentic Chianti farmhouse and vineyard, Explore one of Tuscanys gems the town of San Gimignano a UNESCO World Heritage site, Relax knowing your two experts, a designated driver and local Italian guide have all the logistics for a perfect day in Italy. The 12 Most Enchanting Day Trips from Florence, I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. The artist demonstrated his single point perspective innovation, populating the frescos with serene figures with his trademark perfectly oval heads. For a dose of history and culture, visit the Bandini Museum which houses some beautiful Florentine paintings from the 12th-14th centuries. Takes between two and three hours. Castles, churches, Renaissance villas, olive groves and the great Italian countryside all are easily doable on any of these full-day trips from Florence. Book your transport on Bookaway NOW. A former Etruscan town, Cortona was featured in the famous movie and book by Frances Mayes. The closest train station,Camucia-Cortona,is about 1.5 miles (2.4km) from the town. The story carries on from Constantine to Emperor Heraclitus, who recovers the True Cross after it was captured by the Persian King. Youll find a textile museum, the Palazzo Pretorio (a well-curated museum showcasing Tuscan artists), and a stunning Duomo. Its a complex of seven interconnected churches, founded by Petronio atop a Roman temple. More details How to Arrive: Train (1 But if you can tear yourself away from the beloved Cradle of the Renaissance, Florences location in central Italy makes it a splendid long term base for day trips to other must see places in Tuscany. Suggested Trip:Assisi and Cortona Day Trip fromFlorence. In Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral looks across to the late-13th-century Palazzo Vecchio del Podest and its tower, the Torre della Rognosa. Bolognas must see sites are found in the citys main square, Piazza Maggiore. To see more of the Chianti region, it's better to have your own car. This is rural Tuscany at its best and its retained its beauty over the centuries. If you want to book a guided day trip from Florence, this tour takes you to Cortona, Siena, and Montepulciano. How to get there: Take a bus from Florence to Chianti. The historical centre is the small Renaissance town of Pienza aka The Ideal City. Virginia DiGaetano shows you what to see and eat in four days. In Piazza San Michele, youll find the lovely Church of San Michele, with a Romanesque facade. It has a surprisingly good collection of art curated by local 18th century cleric Angelo Bandini. Receive exclusive offers, promotions & travel tips. We had a little tour of the city, stopped at a quick cafe and then were left to explore, shop or tour the church which is quite beautiful. Cinque Terre doesnt have many of the usual touristy sights like churches, castles or museums. With a pristine medieval center and an international student population, Perugia is Umbrias largest and most cosmopolitan city. The town is located south of Florence, just about one and a half hours away from Florence. When it comes to good day trips from Florence, and Tuscany day trips from Florence specifically, we, who have seen Siena can confirm, that this is definitely one of the best day trips in Tuscany you should do, and there are a million reasons why! Use Bookawayto find the best deals on transport buses, planes, trains, and ferries. Ive noted train travel times and drive times as well. Grab a coffee and some local delicacies and soak it all in. Located high above Florence in the Tuscan countryside, Fiesole is the quickest and easiest day trip from Florence. Head on to Piazza Mino, the main town square, after your round of window-shopping. Itso damn much Si Pass accordance with the Gothic ethos that more is always better, inch! To do in Montepulciano outside the city, is the quickest and day... Look down over Florence, I consent to my personal information being processed in with! The quickest and easiest day Trips from Florence planes, trains, and it remains be! 2 hour day trip from Florence by train appeared first on Marcie in Mommyland knowledgeable about magnificent. Radar for most tourists youve explored all the sights in Florence its Tower, the Torre della.! 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