I'm visiting Florence for a three-day business conference in mid-November. I'll spend an extra day there, then go someplace else for the next four days. Where should I go?
Where should I spend 4 days in Italy?
I'm visiting Florence for a three-day business conference in mid-November. I'll spend an extra day there, then go someplace else for the next four days. Where should I go?
you should definitely go to Fanculo
Do you want more city? Hilltown? Countryside? Seaside?
Among the hilltowns, I spent a couple of days in Volterra and enjoyed it; I’ve also driven through Rick Steves favorite San Gimignano and thought it looked OK, but it’s pretty crammed with tourists (Volterra is too, I suppose, but it’s slightly bigger so it seemed a little less hollowed out). I’ve also stayed in Orvieto, down in Umbria, which is maybe my favorite Italian hilltown overall, but it’s at least two hours away.
If you’re interested in another city, Siena is close and distinctive, with an excellent historical center. A similar distance in the opposite direction is Lucca, which is among my favorite cities in Italy overall; very livable and not overwhelmingly dominated by tourists. From there it’s not a long trip to a range of pretty nice beach towns. I have most experience with Viareggio, which is honestly slightly tacky, but in a way I personally found rather charming. It’s got the advantage of being directly accessible by train, unlike some smaller and arguably nicer spots on the Tuscan coast for which you probably need a car.
Florence will be enough city for me, I think. Variety will be nice.
Thanks for the suggestions.
gargaynana valley is not too far drive from florence, it is north of lucca
a rural area with old historical buildings
given so many of italys famous attractions, there are many beautiful regions like this that aren't oversaturated with international travelers
or look for rural villas to stay if any have acceptable price - umbria is similar terrain to tuscany but less expensive, but there is much of tuscany if you want that.
Was in Tuscany this week. Firenze is great, Siena too. I stayed in San Gimignano and seeing how the light changed the landscape throughout the day was awesome. Definitely my favorite region in the world for now.
Rome is an obvious answer. You can easily spend four days there. Been many times.
Rome is the best city I’ve ever spent time in, but I’m a big history and architecture nerd. The basilicas alone are worth the trip. And the night life is also very good. Almost want to move there
Forgot to mention: go to Santa Maria Novella. The paintings and the three cloisters inside are something to see. There’s a small entry fee so there’s fewer people than expected, and it’s very peaceful. I regret not visiting it on one of my previous visits to the city.
Go to Siena if you want touristy shit that won't frick you in the ass costs wise.
turin is underrated, give it one day and you can take in a ton of history
Take the train to Rome. 2 days in Florence is plenty. Rome is where it's at. If you've already done Rome, go to Verona.