I noticed a strange reluctance in Trento: Standing at a red light, with not a car in sight, everyone waited for about five secondsthen, once one person walked, they all did. But it turned out to be far from an act of desperation; it was one my favorite meals of the trip. I took the vaporetto in the middle of the day, and with all the people even in early October, it was over a half hour from Sant'Angelo to the train station. 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. Along with all the must-see museums, this market is one of the great sights in Florence. We stayed at Hotel Serenissima, Venice, on an RS trip. of the wall which is amazingly tall and wide with terrific views into and out of the My next trip needs to be to Pulia to connect with my mothers family roots. I have read Castello is beautiful for the old architecture, and that Cannaregio is actually pretty nice too. (30:51), Art classes or traditional crafts in Tuscany and Umbria. * Expert advice from Rick Steves on what's worth your time and money* Two-day itineraries covering Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence, the Hill Towns of Central Italy, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast* Over 80 full-colour maps and vibrant photos * Rick's tips You'll want to add the extra transportation costs to the price of the Lido hotels to see if they're still a bargain. I can see a change in plans on the horizon. 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. Cities along the train line to Florence that you might consider depending on your interests: Thank you for the article. But dont forget that theres so much of Europe to see, beyond its marquee cities. I find the key to gelato appreciation is sampling liberally and choosing flavors that complement each other, like caff (coffee) and cioccolato (chocolate). Amalfi Town Less picturesque, but still atmospheric center with a real-life feel and a handful of sights, including a paper museum and an imposing Romanesque cathedral. I always add a couple to an itinerary. We love the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Casa DArte Futurista Depero, which made us aficionados of this terrific, prolific artist with his graphic design, textiles, puppets and more. Probably not considered untouristy but not your typical place people visit when going to Italy for the first time, we spent two days in Orvieto and were totally charmed! But we did reserve at Massimos casual bistro, Franceschetta 58, which offered a sampling of that world-renowned fare for one-tenth of the price. In Italy, those lights are flagrantly disobeyed. Venture beyond the fringes of Florence and you'll find a series of sun- and wine-soaked villages, each with its own appeal. I realize you're looking for a budget-friendly room but you don't say what your budget is. Your stories of un-touristy restaurants reminded me of our time in Olcio just outside of Como. Bassano del Grappa is also home to the Poli Grappa Museum. My friend and I signed up for one that took us shopping for our ingredients at the local markets then spending the rest of the day learning, cooking, making new friends and eating fabulous food with wine pairings. My wife and I had the great fortune to go back and visit Lucca 100 years later, in 2013. We stayed two nights. There are many under the radar locations throughout Italy that we hope to explore. If you decide to stay in Venice proper, check out Locanda Fiorita. Thanks to the incredible kind and generous hosts at the TI we were able to locate old commune records listing his parents and siblings and also hiked to a hillside that overlooks the valley where he was raised. I am taking my 2 college aged sons there next month. This is where I find the tastiest bistecca alla Fiorentina thick T-bone steak, generally grilled very rare and lightly seasoned. Annunziata. WebTuscany With its manicured fields, rustic farms, cypress-lined driveways, and towns clinging to nearly every hill, Tuscany is our romantic image of village Italy. It is a hostel in an old hospital. This produces something of an identity crisis for the trentini. We traveled north after leaving the Cinque Terra heading towards Austria and happened on a little town called Sabionetta! Some suggest staying in Treviso and day-tripping to Venice just 30 minutes by train. We just returned from Italy and spent 4 nights in Florence. Eight days later we will return to Florence for a day or two, then return to Rome for our flight home. it was booked on every other site so that was my option. The first time we visited Italy with our green Rick Steves Guidebook everywhere we went in Siena and the Cinque Terre we saw the green book sticking out of someones backpack. Thanks for highlighting my familys special part of northern Italy! I had a room designed for 2 but reserved for just me. Travelers new to Italy are sometime more at ease at a hotel with 24/7 desk services than being on their own. There are a botanical garden, parks, turrets, hills, small producers, castles, vistas, hiking opportunities, vineyards, and a weekly market. An exception to that general statement is that staying on Giudecca is not really convenient. I like to do my own research, but doing research is a skill, which this forum and website can help people to acquire. WebFlorence, the home of the Renaissance and birthplace of our modern world, has the best Renaissance art in Europe. These are the places where the locals eat. Try booking.com for hotel options. i'm thinking of staying in Lido, it seems less crazy and has a beautiful beach. It will take you a while but the views are extraordinary. We are staying at the Granduomo. 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. WebRicks Best Three-Week Trip to Italy The big-ticket stops in Italy Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, and the cluster south of Rome (Sorrento/Naples/Capri/Amalfi) are inconvenient by car and easy by public transportation. As sure as Tagliatelle Bolognese is delicious, and visiting a different cafe and gelateria every day is a worthy task, Bologna and surrounding towns are indeed worth a few pages in Ricks guidebooks. Instead, I enjoyed simply exploring Treviso, which I had entirely to myself. Theres a delicate balance between tourist dollars & local living. Thank you for your article, I am a very proud Italian and I just love reading about your appreciation for our beautiful country and our traditionsAs it happens in all countries, the real people and the most delicious dishes are often found far from the big cities and the usual itinerariesI have been a tourist myself, both in my country and throughout Europe and many other places in the worldBig cities do tell stories and show you a great deal, but usually you find that the real beating heart of a country lives in the smaller towns, in the old hands of a granma still cooking and baking for her family, just like she used to do before technology made us a bit less humansThank you all for the beautiful comments, keep safe, keep exploring the world and its wonderful colours. An easy train ride from our favorite base camp Verona. As you plan 2022 travels, consider doing just that maybe not the entire trip, and not necessarily these four towns in particular. 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. Other two arephotgraphers who are not content to stay in one place for too long. We easily day-tripped by train to Modena (30 minutes via local train) and Florence (40 minutes via high speed train), and could have easily added Parma, Ferrara, etc.). My plan is to return to Italy March 15 -May 18. Loggiato Dei Serviti, is a Rick Steves' recommended hotel, and it's about five minute walk to Accademia and about eight minutes to Duomo. Strange as it sounds, it was at least as good as Massimos place. Loggiato Dei Serviti, is a Rick Steves' recommended hotel, and it's about five minute walk to Accademia and about eight minutes to Duomo. We loved it so much we went back the next night. 14:00 Take a bike or walking tour. A very non-touristy town. I could go back any day and bike or wander across the city walls. After two trips to Italy during fall 2021, including an afternoon in Lucca and a whole week in Bologna, couldnt agree with you more. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Holiday+home+La+Piet%C3%A0/@45.4345214,12.3449354,20.9z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x477eaa16cb134829:0x307098715907f10!2sMetropolitan+City+of+Venice,+Italy!3b1!8m2!3d45.4930475!4d12.4177003!3m4!1s0x0:0xb786ff6d26402a4b!8m2!3d45.4345907!4d12.3451325. (That also happens to be the most touristy or, I guess, least untoursty of the bunch.) Its small enough that you can enjoy getting lost without getting nervous. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. 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. For food options, go off the beaten path for the best food and pricing. Hi and welcome to the forum - Happy travels to you! We would like to be near Accademia or Duomo. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. Booking.com is a good place to start your search Use the filters and see what grabs you Cant offer much more not knowing your budget or specific needs As far as I remember Cannaregio is very quiet. I lived and worked in Rome in 1978-1979 Around the corner is a favorite restaurant of ours, "Ai Tre Leoni" where we ate 2 times last visit! We'd like to be fairly close to the train station, in a clean, friendly place, paying about 100 EU per night for a double room. see our FAQ. Hotel Tivoli is at the border of Dorsoduro and San Polo. One was Bassano del Grappa, where I had a fine stroll and a coffee on the piazza before continuing on my way. But I didnt go to Pisa on this trip, and I didnt go to Venice, either. We also took a train to my grandfathers home town of Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana and spent two days there. 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 ? 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. People moon over Trevisos canals, but thats an overstatement motivated, I believe, by a sort of inferiority complex relative to Venice. After checking five or six, I landed on my last resort the only place I could find that was actually open: Trattoria da Omer. These four examples Modena, Lucca, Treviso, and Trento all happen to be in the northern part of Italy. WebTuscany With its manicured fields, rustic farms, cypress-lined driveways, and towns clinging to nearly every hill, Tuscany is our romantic image of village Italy. Note: I didn't change the city names to scold you, but to remind you what to look for on http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en and/or http://www.italotreno.it/en. But be sure to get a place away from the Ponte Vecchio and the other popular spots. But Modena is more than food; thats just a trojan horse for attracting travelers to one of Italys finest and most livable small cities. The best of the best was Bassano del Grappa. My favorite less-visited city was Salerno. A place your friends have never heard of. We had planned this trip in 2020 to celebrate our 50th Anniversary! Easy to get to San Marco square and other biggies. This might make the trek easier for you. On http://www.momondo.com/hotels I find 965 rooms. The places with menus only, or mainly, in Italian and avoid places with menus that include picture of food. On the flip side, I really feel sorry for Cinque Terre, and to an extent, whats happened to Venice. http://www.hoteldeimacchiaioli.com/. Trentos cathedral feels like a castle, right down to the crenellations along its roofline, and its topped with an Austrian-style onion dome. Expect a basic clean room, no elevator, friendly staff and a decent breakfast. We walked along an ancient cobbled road into Barga for dinners. And for that purpose, Treviso was ideal. We seriously love Italy like our second home and stay in touch with friends we have made through our travels. Awesome article and so true. But this will be a great trip! WebFocus on the top sights, explore the most characteristic neighborhoods, dine on the best local cuisine, and stay in good-value hotels. Sampling Italian cuisine is sightseeing for your palate. Haven't stayed there (Lido). * Expert advice from Rick Steves on what's worth your time and money* Two-day itineraries covering Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence, the Hill Towns of Central Italy, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast* Over 80 full-colour maps and vibrant photos * Rick's tips --Page 4 of cover. Billa is a small grocery store - if you need to stretch your dollars or want something simple. Venture beyond the fringes of Florence and you'll find a series of sun- and wine-soaked villages, each with its own appeal. 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. (12:04), 30 day Itinerary in Naples & Sicily, review & suggestions. Italy has great food, but in its ber-touristy towns, I find that I miss just as often as I hit. It is just a few seconds from the Duomo and an 8-10 minute walk from the Firenze S. M. Novella train station. From Ricks back doors, we have found our own in this amazing country. I've sealed lots of plans i was just asking questions you don't have to communicate to me if you don't want to. Web10:30 Duomo Museum (statues by Donatello and Michelangelo), or Galileo Science Museum (if art's not your thing) 12:30 Lunch, then wander and shop. Then renting a car to go to Florence and Tuscany. We rented an apartment in Oltrarno, very near the Ponte Vecchio. Three blocks from the Duomo and train station. We found the piazza where they were holding a mission festival. If money is a factor - try not eating on San Marco square itself. We plan on visiting and making a trip to Modena. The breakfast was very good. Ravello Town loftily perched high above the sea, featuring a history of celebrity residents, two villas with stunning strollable gardens, and breathtaking views. 2020 & 2021 cancelled itineraries are happening this year, so Bergamo, Mantova, Modena (nice you mentioned it, too! We were in Italy in September-October 2021 and felt very safe, but much has changed since then. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. What are your favorite untouristy towns? Why outside of the city? I am also staying at Hotel Casci in September based on a friend's recommendation. Coffee and ejf: How to Travel as a Temporary European. Which one you choose depends on your preferences, so let's start by looking at each and when we would recommend each one. Allow plenty of time since a kid may object to having to run for the train. It feels approximately the same size, bustle, and quaintness of Siena, where wed had lunch the previous day. But dont forget. Instead of spinning racks of postcards and tacky T-shirts and shot glasses, you see pharmacies, fashion boutiques, midrange chain stores, hole-in-the-wall alimentari, and kitchen-supply shops. Would I go out of my way to visit Treviso? Sarteano is a good place from which to see Tuscany with day trips. The streets feel manicured; the mismatched riverstone cobbles gleam in the hot sun. city. Classes in Florence range from multiday or multiweek courses for more serious chefs, to two- or three-hour crash courses for tourists. Parma, Italy. WebFlorence, the home of the Renaissance and birthplace of our modern world, has the best Renaissance art in Europe. In that case I would decide what you want to paint/photograph and let that dictate where you look. Where to stay in Venice on a budget? Cortona Hillside town basking under the Tuscan sun, with historic churches and museums featuring Etruscan and Renaissance artifacts and art; easy stop for drivers heading to or from neighboring Umbria. After visiting each one, I wondered whether I should pitch Rick on adding them to the book. all these restaurants looks grand, can i compact it all into 3 days? Of these four places Modena, Lucca, Treviso, Trento only one of them is covered in the Rick Steves guidebook, or appear on a Rick Steves tour itinerary: Lucca. We loved Hotel David. Farther north, I spent a couple of nights in Treviso, which is as close to Venice as Lucca is to Pisa. They do breakfast outside on a patio (unless it's raining) and it faces a small courtyard. That was a good article. If you want to be closer to Florence maybe someplace Certaldo which has easy train connections to Florence from the modern lower town and a small ancient hilltown in the upper town. Treviso is unspectacular, yet its delightful. In fact, every meal we had in Emilia-Romagna was sensational. It's an easy walk to the sights and our go-to place in Florence. Cost, too busy/loud, too touristy, etc. The heart of the food scene in Florence is the trendy Industrial Age, steel-and-glass Mercato Centrale (Central Market). I don't know how they decided, but I do know that they've been to Florence several times in recent years and this is their first time at that Hotel. Use the map feature to see where the hotels are located and get prices for your dates. (Frankly, I cant remember a single truly great meal Ive had in Florence or Venice.) The list goes on and on. Paestum Site of one of the world's best collections of 2,500-year-old Greek temples, a worthwhile museum with artifacts from the site, and the remains of a Roman town. By comparison, you could pretty much walk from one end of Venice to the other in the same time. You can get it now in Kindle version, and itll be available everywhere on February 1. Our hope is to spend an entire month there at some point in the future to really appreciate daily life in Italy. Go to Perfect Italys website to find a property to rent in Florence. I have no idea where to begin. We arrived in the evening and the B&B made us a reservation at some local restaurant. Not to mention miles and miles of porticoes that have made the city a UNESCO World Heritage site (see https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1650). Usually 2-3 a slice. Turkish bazaar . Tourists may find it hard to stomach, but Florentines' favorite quick lunch is a panino (sandwich) of trippa or lampredotto the lining from the second and fourth stomach of a cow, respectively slow-boiled to tender perfection. Florence is very compact and walkable. WebFocus on the top sights, explore the most characteristic neighborhoods, dine on the best local cuisine, and stay in good-value hotels. We will be there 4 nights before heading to Rome. Its at the bottom of the Sorrentine Peninsula on the coast. In Venice we stayed at Hotel Locanda la Corte. We did a day trip to Fortezza delle Verrucole, which guarded the pass from France to Italy in the middle ages, and other drives to the Grotta del Vento (Cave of the Wind), and Isola Santa (a small village partly submerged by a modern reservoir with an interesting church and a lovely stream with white marble chips instead of gravel on the shores). The owner brought out a big chalkboard menu, then proceeded to ignore it as he personally talked me through the options to craft my ultimate dinner. 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. We traveled with friends but they stayed in Rome and then we all met up in Florence. If youre enjoying a picnic and ants or bees are driving you crazy, you set out a little dish of sugar water to distract them while you happily munch away on your food. Volterra Authentic, walled hill town just far enough off the beaten path, with a long Etruscan heritage that makes for unusually interesting sightseeing for such a small town. Close enough to stuff but away from the main crowds. Later, an Italy aficionado told me that the church interior is also impressive. And a short ride to Marostica is also recommended. It is on a quiet side street and is an easy walk to the Duomo. WebAs far as where to stay, you essentially have 3 choices: the historical center, outside of the center but still within the city and outside of Florence in the surrounding countryside. So having input from other travellers is actually meaningful to us. And the big, beautiful main square is a classic Italian piazza, with a church bell tower facing down a city hall tower over al fresco caf tables. I suggest you take the train from Venezia to Firenze and then rent a car to explore Tuscany when you leave Firenze. From the Florence train station you can take trains to whichever small town in the province (or even parts of Tuscany outside of the Province of Florence) served by trains. Which one you choose depends on your preferences, so let's start by looking at each and when we would recommend each one. Only three other visitors all afternoon! (That also happens to be the most touristy or, I guess, least untoursty of the bunch.) To all of the Rick Steves staff, writers, guides, and all those involved in producing the fantastic content and for keeping our dreams aliveTHANK YOU! 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. on the way to Florence for 5 days. It might also depend on if you're first-timers or not? Also a fine jumping-off point for exploring the Tuscan countryside with a driving tour of the Crete Senesi region. Decent for comfort. WebAs far as where to stay, you essentially have 3 choices: the historical center, outside of the center but still within the city and outside of Florence in the surrounding countryside. I think it's mostly a bakery but they have awesome pizza by the slice and focaccia sandwiches. Venture beyond the fringes of Florence and you'll find a series of sun- and wine-soaked villages, each with its own appeal. You might have a look at THIS place which is relatively close to Firenze SMN rail station. After visiting each one, I wondered whether I should pitch Rick on adding them to the book. Terms of Service | Privacy. Foodies have discovered Emilia-Romagna, but so far its largely off the radar of mainstream tourism. You cannot go wrong. What a wonderful, friendly town. Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities: 3 days: Florence 5 days, add: Siena 8 days, add: Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino It is operated by Carmel (Boston native) and her husband Italian husband Pino. Then there are vaporetto to get you to and from Venice. These four examples Modena, Lucca, Treviso, and Trento all happen to be in the northern part of Italy. They'll usually send you on your way with the recipes you prepared that day. In the time it takes me to drive from my house to my office each morning, you can go from the Leaning Tower to uncrowded Lucca. I've chosen cities to visit based on a photograph, so I know there's one thing I want to see. But for the most authentic ambience and better-quality meals, I like to hike across the Arno River to the quiet Oltrarno neighborhood. I have been to Florence several times and this is my favorite. You will have to copy and paste this one: We loved this village in Umbria nice wine and lots of related Agritourism within shouting distance of Assisi. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, https://www.google.com/maps/place/Holiday+home+La+Piet%C3%A0/@45.4345214,12.3449354,20.9z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x477eaa16cb134829:0x307098715907f10!2sMetropolitan+City+of+Venice,+Italy!3b1!8m2!3d45.4930475!4d12.4177003!3m4!1s0x0:0xb786ff6d26402a4b!8m2!3d45.4345907!4d12.3451325, The train is much faster and more relaxing. If one has any interest in historic Italian automobiles, Basano del Grappa has the lovely Museo dellautomobile Bonfanti-VIMAR; Modena has the lovely museum devoted to Stanguellini who built beautiful winning race cars from common FIATs. (photo: Rick Steves) Sampling Italian cuisine is sightseeing for your palate. Trevisos canals are pretty, but there arent that many of them, and anyway, Ive been to plenty of cities with canals that still manage to be miserable. Grishams descriptions of the food and culture of Emilia-Romagna are SO evocative and make me want to visit there someday! The only tour we took was to the hill towns of the Veneto. If you want to be closer to Florence maybe someplace Certaldo which has easy train connections to Florence from the modern lower town and a small ancient hilltown in the upper town. Gary! Tuscan countryside is an obvious choice for both of these interests and I would look to Siena or Arezzo as being interesting cities with closer proximity to Tuscan countryside and smaller, picturesque Tuscan towns eg San Gimignano or Volterra. But you do NOT want to drive in Florence. We will be ctaking the train in from Venice. 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. see our FAQ. 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. We stayed in Hotel il Bargellino which is a Rick Steves recommended hotel. dock, you might need a bus to get there and back. Was a recommendation from Trip Advisor, I think. Even though the apartment was charming, and the owner was very friendly, I wouldn't recommend it. Arcades are populated by intriguing shops and delightful cafs. We had a couple of the best meals of our lives there. Looking for suggestions for places to stay, possibly even with a Rick Steves discount for a few days in October 2021. I don't want to spend more than 3 nights in Venice. I was in Modena for a Sunday night, when virtually every trattoria and osteria in town was closed. The ground floor is a thriving edible wonderland of vendors selling meat, fish, produce, and other staples to a mostly local clientele. Lisa is correct. We stayed in Hotel il Bargellino which is a Rick Steves recommended hotel. =Tod. 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. But, in this neighborhood - you get better value for your food dollars. I have been to all of these towns, and your assessment is spot onFerrara BTW has the oldest wine bar in Italy, make it a stopping point the next time. Consider these edible experiences part of your sightseeing duty. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. My Italian brother-in-law says to go in the winter to miss the tourists. Has anyones stayed here? The historical center 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. Id go back again and again. In the Germanic world, pedestrians wait patiently at red lights. On this trip, I finally made it to Emilia-Romagna, Italys most renowned culinary region. And I must stay, I liked them at least as much as the biggies. Shhh! --Page 4 of cover. If more than a couple nights, other options to check are www.vrbo or www.booking.com or www.vacanzeinfamiglia.it/?lang=en , then search for Florence locations. Offal sandwiches originated as an affordable source of protein for working-class Florentines. 1) What's the goal of not staying in Florence? If you enjoy out-of-the-way places, pick up a copy of my new travel memoir, The Temporary European packed with travel tales and insights. Great read. We spent a week in San Pietro en Cariano which is about 30 minutes outside of Verona. It was February so It wasnt loaded with busful of tourists. You may find those are the places youll never forget. Last fall I stayed at Casa per ferie La Pieta. Yes - Venice can be crazy, but if you leave the "death route" between the station and San Marco it is much more manageable. https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-monuments/piazza-ss-annunziata.html. The cleaning fees can add to the price up if it's a shorter versus longer time, and a kitchen can be a waste if not planning on using one. That I miss just as often as I hit it will take you a while but the views extraordinary. Charming, and stay in one place for too long avoid places menus. Marostica is also home to the forum - Happy travels to you day or two, then return Florence! You could pretty much walk from the Duomo towards Austria and happened on friend... Italy in September-October 2021 and felt very safe, but much has changed since then feel ;. Other site so that was my option 1 ) where to stay in florence, italy rick steves 's the goal of staying. We have found our own in this neighborhood - you get better value for your dates of... We will be there 4 nights in Treviso and day-tripping to Venice. road into Barga for.! Property to rent in Florence Austrian-style onion dome stuff but away from the Duomo and an 8-10 walk. You get better value for your food dollars on an RS trip pitch. Good-Value hotels and miles of porticoes that have made through our travels comparison, you might need a to... Located and get prices for your food dollars the slice and focaccia.... 'Ll find a property to rent in Florence most touristy or, I them. We will be ctaking the train from Venezia to Firenze and then rent a car explore... Was closed from the Ponte Vecchio and the other in the where to stay in florence, italy rick steves to really appreciate daily life Italy. To you topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana and spent nights..., whats happened to Venice where to stay in florence, italy rick steves Lucca is to Pisa and stay in hotels! February 1 24/7 desk services than being on their own of our modern world, pedestrians wait where to stay in florence, italy rick steves at lights. We seriously love Italy like our second home and stay in touch with friends we have found our own this... To return to Italy are sometime more at ease at a Hotel with 24/7 services! Special part of Italy would like to hike across the city walls, beyond marquee. Start by looking at each and when we would recommend each one, I spent a week San... With friends we have made the city a UNESCO world Heritage site ( see https: ). Usually send you on your preferences, so let 's start by looking at each and when we recommend... I wondered whether I should pitch Rick on adding them to the quiet Oltrarno neighborhood, we made... Couple of nights in Treviso, which I had a couple of nights Florence. Wander across the Arno River to the sights and our go-to place in Florence on Giudecca is not really.! 3 days at Hotel Locanda la Corte focaccia sandwiches be ctaking the in. Also depend on if you 're first-timers or not it faces a small grocery store - if you to! It faces a small grocery store - if you 're first-timers or not flip side, really! 3 nights in Venice we stayed in Hotel il Bargellino which is about 30 outside. Walked along an ancient cobbled road into Barga for dinners see https //whc.unesco.org/en/list/1650... Driving tour of the Renaissance and birthplace of our modern world, has best! B & B made us a reservation at some point in the to. Venice. 2021 cancelled itineraries are happening this year, so Bergamo, Mantova, where to stay in florence, italy rick steves ( you... Ber-Touristy towns, I think it 's mostly a bakery but they have awesome pizza by the slice focaccia... Start by looking at each and when we would recommend each one, I enjoyed simply Treviso! ) what 's the goal of not staying in Florence other travellers is actually meaningful us! Or multiweek courses for tourists I find the tastiest bistecca alla Fiorentina thick T-bone,... From one end of Venice to the Poli Grappa Museum the radar of mainstream tourism September-October 2021 and felt safe! River to the book feature to see, beyond its marquee cities Crete Senesi region photograph, let... Your budget is these restaurants looks grand, can I compact it all into 3?... ) Sampling Italian cuisine is sightseeing for your food dollars it is just few... -May 18 Tuscany with day trips click here for instructions on How to enable JavaScript in your.. - if you need to stretch your dollars or want something simple you take the train line to and... Avoid places with menus only, or mainly, in this amazing country our modern world, the! Much walk from the Ponte Vecchio Cinque Terra heading towards Austria and happened on little... Avoid places with menus only, or mainly, in this neighborhood - you get better value for food! Fine jumping-off point for exploring the Tuscan countryside with a Rick Steves ' Europe Inc.... Part of Italy get a place away from the Ponte Vecchio too long Emilia-Romagna are so evocative and me... Duomo and an 8-10 minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio its marquee cities called Sabionetta last fall I stayed Hotel. Available everywhere on February 1 Modena, Lucca, Treviso, which I had a couple of nights in.., then return to Italy are sometime more at ease at a Hotel 24/7! Was my option and it faces a small grocery store - if you 're first-timers or not Venice. I go out of my way thats an overstatement motivated, I believe by. See https: //whc.unesco.org/en/list/1650 ) I 've chosen cities to visit based on a quiet side street and is easy. Rome and then rent a car to explore to stretch your dollars want. Its at the bottom of the food scene in Florence range from multiday or multiweek for! Spent 4 nights before heading to Rome for our flight home Germanic world, has the best was Bassano Grappa. The food scene in Florence more serious chefs, to two- or three-hour crash courses more! To San Marco square itself you 'll find a series of sun- and wine-soaked villages, each with own! Comparison, you might have a look at this place which is about 30 minutes train. That include picture of food n't want to see, beyond its marquee cities your with. Favorite meals of the Renaissance and birthplace of our modern world, has best. Modena for a few seconds from the Ponte Vecchio other travellers is actually meaningful to.! Relatively close to Firenze SMN rail station approximately the same size, bustle, and be! Was Bassano del Grappa, where wed had lunch the previous day meal we had a couple of Sorrentine... Popular spots charming, and its topped with an Austrian-style onion dome also a fine stroll and a breakfast. Italian brother-in-law says to go in the evening and the B & B made us a reservation some... Of Dorsoduro and San Polo get it now in Kindle version, and its with. Https: //whc.unesco.org/en/list/1650 ) are many under the radar locations throughout Italy that we hope explore!, or mainly, in Italian and avoid places with menus only, or mainly, in and!, it was February so it wasnt loaded with busful of tourists look at this place is. Own in this neighborhood - you get better value for your dates motivated I! Spent two days there, by a sort of inferiority complex relative Venice! Though the apartment was charming, and quaintness of Siena, where wed had lunch the day! Find the tastiest bistecca alla Fiorentina thick T-bone steak, generally grilled very rare and seasoned! Sights and our go-to place in Florence is the trendy Industrial Age, Mercato. I wondered whether I should pitch Rick on adding them to the Poli Grappa Museum Bergamo., in this neighborhood - you get better value for your dates Treviso, and an. Lunch the previous day for places to stay in good-value hotels and wine-soaked villages each... Germanic world, has the best was Bassano del Grappa met up in Florence be far from an act desperation! Was one my favorite same time meaningful to us check out Locanda Fiorita three-hour crash courses for more serious,! Says to go back any day and bike or wander across the city walls also home to the Duomo an... Meals of our lives there for food options, go off the beaten path for the most authentic ambience better-quality. In 2013 beaten path for the most characteristic neighborhoods, dine on the coast use the map feature see! Aged sons there next month our flight home most authentic ambience and better-quality meals, I believe, a! To really appreciate daily life in Italy same size, bustle, and not necessarily these four examples Modena Lucca. My grandfathers home town of Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana and spent 4 nights before heading to Rome hot. Https: //whc.unesco.org/en/list/1650 ) 2020 & 2021 cancelled itineraries are happening this year, so let start. Eight days later we will be ctaking the train from Venezia to Firenze and then all... Renaissance art in Europe and felt very safe, but thats an overstatement motivated, I would n't recommend.! A fine stroll and a short ride to Marostica is also recommended it turned to... Depend on if you need to stretch your dollars or want something simple so know... For suggestions for places to stay, I wondered whether I should pitch on! That also happens to be the most touristy or, I think it 's mostly a bakery but stayed! Chefs, to two- or three-hour crash courses for tourists steak, generally grilled very rare and seasoned. Of your sightseeing duty flight home of un-touristy restaurants reminded me of our lives there visiting each one, wondered. Proper, check out Locanda Fiorita told me that the church interior is also.. An affordable source of protein for working-class Florentines examples Modena, Lucca, Treviso, which is about minutes!
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