Venice or Tuscany
Discussion
The OH is 40 this year and looking at a nice week away. One option is back to NYC, but we love Italy and looking at it as another option.
We want to go back to Florence so start their for a few nights. Decision is then to either get the train up to Venice, or head more into Tuscany and go to Siena and Lucca.
Venice was on the list of things to do, but heard mixed feedback from people that its too busy and expensive. Always heard good things about Siena and Lucca and I presume are similar to Florence would have enough to do for a couple of nights each?
Anyone done both and can provide some advice?
We would look to fly into Pisa in September (dates flexible) and either fly out of Venice, or come back to Pisa if stayed in Tuscany.
Thanks
We want to go back to Florence so start their for a few nights. Decision is then to either get the train up to Venice, or head more into Tuscany and go to Siena and Lucca.
Venice was on the list of things to do, but heard mixed feedback from people that its too busy and expensive. Always heard good things about Siena and Lucca and I presume are similar to Florence would have enough to do for a couple of nights each?
Anyone done both and can provide some advice?
We would look to fly into Pisa in September (dates flexible) and either fly out of Venice, or come back to Pisa if stayed in Tuscany.
Thanks
Tough call!
I went to Venice for the day on the train whilst staying near Vicenza purely for the kids to see it before it sinks and it was spectacular
It was August and so as busy as it gets
We walked from the station to the Rialto bridge and it was lovely, quiet and reasonably priced. We had lunch sitting next to one of the canals and the price was close to what youd pay in the UK for a high street pizza
Then we crossed the bridge and it was rammed with most restaurants having menus printed in Russian outside with quite frankly absurd prices
St Marks Square was utterly crowded and without having booked we didnt bother queuing for any of the attractions as stunning as they were
From here we got a water taxi back to sanity at Rialto and despite it costing stupid, stupid EUs (agreed in advance) was worth every cent, Id happily do that again
The other bits you mention are all great
Lucca is a favourite of ours, it has a nice relaxed vibe and places to eat for whatever you wish to spend. We covered most gastronomic bases there and were very happy. Having a car helped explore the local countryside and possibly Pisa?? although I would certainly be happy without one staying in the town for a few days. Also renting (rubbish) bikes and riding around the walls was good fun and safe.
Cant comment on Siena although I hear its stunning and Florence was just a day trip for us and also stunning, funnily enough.
Im not sure Ive helped you
Enjoy
EDIT: this is possibly a personal best for me in using the word 'stunning' in a post LOL
I went to Venice for the day on the train whilst staying near Vicenza purely for the kids to see it before it sinks and it was spectacular
It was August and so as busy as it gets
We walked from the station to the Rialto bridge and it was lovely, quiet and reasonably priced. We had lunch sitting next to one of the canals and the price was close to what youd pay in the UK for a high street pizza
Then we crossed the bridge and it was rammed with most restaurants having menus printed in Russian outside with quite frankly absurd prices
St Marks Square was utterly crowded and without having booked we didnt bother queuing for any of the attractions as stunning as they were
From here we got a water taxi back to sanity at Rialto and despite it costing stupid, stupid EUs (agreed in advance) was worth every cent, Id happily do that again
The other bits you mention are all great
Lucca is a favourite of ours, it has a nice relaxed vibe and places to eat for whatever you wish to spend. We covered most gastronomic bases there and were very happy. Having a car helped explore the local countryside and possibly Pisa?? although I would certainly be happy without one staying in the town for a few days. Also renting (rubbish) bikes and riding around the walls was good fun and safe.
Cant comment on Siena although I hear its stunning and Florence was just a day trip for us and also stunning, funnily enough.
Im not sure Ive helped you
Enjoy
EDIT: this is possibly a personal best for me in using the word 'stunning' in a post LOL
Venice is beautiful, but I personally wouldn't want more than a day there. If you're going to fly into Pisa, then start in Lucca, train to Florence, and then you have Bologna and Verona heading north, and Siena as you say heading south. lots of options for you to choose from, and once you get to Florence, you are serviced by the frecchia rosso, so very quick and comfortable getting around.
Lucca, Florence, Bologna, Verona, Venice could well be a fantastic week (maybe dropping Verona if thats too busy).
Lucca, Florence, Bologna, Verona, Venice could well be a fantastic week (maybe dropping Verona if thats too busy).
Just enjoy Tuscany and Umbria. Chill out. There's a lot of history and beautiful countryside to see.
Assume you fly into Pisa: Explore the Cinque Terra by train/boat may be another option. A few nice places to stay along there.
Many years ago I went to Venice from Milan and back in a day.
It's a wow moment as you step out of the station into Venice or it was back then (98 maybe). A day or part of was long enough.
I don't know if I booked a stupid train BUT it seemed a long way from Milan for a day trip.
Assume you fly into Pisa: Explore the Cinque Terra by train/boat may be another option. A few nice places to stay along there.
Many years ago I went to Venice from Milan and back in a day.
It's a wow moment as you step out of the station into Venice or it was back then (98 maybe). A day or part of was long enough.
I don't know if I booked a stupid train BUT it seemed a long way from Milan for a day trip.
Thank you for the comments.
We have previously been to the Cinque Terre, so might give that a miss this time. Just having a look at the map and potentially could do the following route and stay a few nights in both before we head back to Pisa to catch a flight:
Siena
Florence
Lucca
I might take a look at doing a day trip to Venice from Florence then?
We have previously been to the Cinque Terre, so might give that a miss this time. Just having a look at the map and potentially could do the following route and stay a few nights in both before we head back to Pisa to catch a flight:
Siena
Florence
Lucca
I might take a look at doing a day trip to Venice from Florence then?
towser44 said:
We did Venice for the day from Florence when we went. Super fast train, booked in advance, paid less than £100 return for the 3 of us and had a good 9 hours in Venice. We used the Italo train service. Just walked around and did all the sights with no problems.
Thanks. Can i ask how long the train took? Google states 2hrs. Challo said:
towser44 said:
We did Venice for the day from Florence when we went. Super fast train, booked in advance, paid less than £100 return for the 3 of us and had a good 9 hours in Venice. We used the Italo train service. Just walked around and did all the sights with no problems.
Thanks. Can i ask how long the train took? Google states 2hrs. Venice is much quieter in the evenings after the majority of day trippers have left and It's quite pleasant to walk around. The downside is you need to stay there to really enjoy that and hotels are not cheap especially in the summer.
You could base yourselves in or near Florence rent a car and do day trips to Sienna, Luca, San Gimignano etc. and if you really want to treat you wife there's a factory Prada outlet just south of Sienna.
If you've never been to Venice before I'd say it's worth doing but with an overnight. But I'd spend the rest of the time in Tuscany.
You could base yourselves in or near Florence rent a car and do day trips to Sienna, Luca, San Gimignano etc. and if you really want to treat you wife there's a factory Prada outlet just south of Sienna.
If you've never been to Venice before I'd say it's worth doing but with an overnight. But I'd spend the rest of the time in Tuscany.
Don’t discount Venice. It does seem marmite but I think you have to be somewhat joyless not to find it a wonder. It also is highly dependent on season and weather.
First time I went we were young and on a budget. It was decent.
Second time I was a lot older. We stayed at the Marriott which is on its own island and as such extremely expensive but we enjoyed it more. Returned to one of the restaurants we went to that first trip, La Zucca, which was still budget friendly with amazing food but seemed to have gained a cult following such that the alley around it was full of people standing hoping for a table.
Third time was tacked on to the end of a much longer holiday when we missed our flight out of Marco Polo so rented an Airbnb looking over to guidecca for 5 nights. Chucked it down for 2 days but we were in explorer mode which was Also interesting but I don’t feel I need to go back again now.
If you do open jaw the best way is Florence, then bologna (food!) then Venice. Exit via private water taxi to the airport is the only way to cap an ‘event’ holiday.
Otherwise staying in Tuscany I don’t find much of a variation in the suggestions this far. If you are to go to several places in one trip, get some contrast.
Into Tuscany. Rent a car but Stay as central as possible. Some great Airbnb’s with duomo views with parking a few mins away outside the ztl.
Then San gimignano as the scenery doesn’t get more typically Tuscan and it’s criminal to not go there imo. Also touristy but quietens in the evening. Just approaching it from afar is special. I am recalling this drive as I type.
Day trip to Siena but don’t stay, carry on to montepulciano instead. Even for the region this is a foodie highlight.
Turn back and stay in an agriturismo or vineyard in chianti.
Then back to Florence but only from the pov that you’ll overlook it. stay in fiesole
First time I went we were young and on a budget. It was decent.
Second time I was a lot older. We stayed at the Marriott which is on its own island and as such extremely expensive but we enjoyed it more. Returned to one of the restaurants we went to that first trip, La Zucca, which was still budget friendly with amazing food but seemed to have gained a cult following such that the alley around it was full of people standing hoping for a table.
Third time was tacked on to the end of a much longer holiday when we missed our flight out of Marco Polo so rented an Airbnb looking over to guidecca for 5 nights. Chucked it down for 2 days but we were in explorer mode which was Also interesting but I don’t feel I need to go back again now.
If you do open jaw the best way is Florence, then bologna (food!) then Venice. Exit via private water taxi to the airport is the only way to cap an ‘event’ holiday.
Otherwise staying in Tuscany I don’t find much of a variation in the suggestions this far. If you are to go to several places in one trip, get some contrast.
Into Tuscany. Rent a car but Stay as central as possible. Some great Airbnb’s with duomo views with parking a few mins away outside the ztl.
Then San gimignano as the scenery doesn’t get more typically Tuscan and it’s criminal to not go there imo. Also touristy but quietens in the evening. Just approaching it from afar is special. I am recalling this drive as I type.
Day trip to Siena but don’t stay, carry on to montepulciano instead. Even for the region this is a foodie highlight.
Turn back and stay in an agriturismo or vineyard in chianti.
Then back to Florence but only from the pov that you’ll overlook it. stay in fiesole
Edited by shirt on Tuesday 11th February 22:26
Edited by shirt on Tuesday 11th February 22:37
Like the last two posters, I'm a big fan of Venice.
For me, it's one of the rare places I've been that totally measured up to, even exceeded, the hype around it
First time I went with my wife and young kids and just for a few hours a couple of days as we stayed over on the Lido. This was during the summer.
On the second trip, my son and I went for 3 days in March, exploring the islands for a day and the city for the others, including the Doge's Palace which he loved because it features in a computer game he used to play.
We took a walking tour of film locations and other sights one evening, which was fantastic and we loved that the city was quiet and it wasn't expensive to eat or travel around, unless you want it to be.
It is busier during the day in the warmer months, though, so that is something to consider.
Other parts of Italy are lovely, too, but Venice is amazing.
M
For me, it's one of the rare places I've been that totally measured up to, even exceeded, the hype around it
First time I went with my wife and young kids and just for a few hours a couple of days as we stayed over on the Lido. This was during the summer.
On the second trip, my son and I went for 3 days in March, exploring the islands for a day and the city for the others, including the Doge's Palace which he loved because it features in a computer game he used to play.
We took a walking tour of film locations and other sights one evening, which was fantastic and we loved that the city was quiet and it wasn't expensive to eat or travel around, unless you want it to be.
It is busier during the day in the warmer months, though, so that is something to consider.
Other parts of Italy are lovely, too, but Venice is amazing.
M
Thanks for all your comments. I need to have a re-think about the plan, and potentially spend a bit more time in Venice then a fly-by visit. I know its somewhere the OH would love to go as well.
We only have 7 days, as will have our dogs in kennels. I still want to stay in Florence for a few days as we love the city and last went 6 years ago.
Perhaps 2 days in Florence, 2 days in Venice and squeeze in Lucca / Siena / San Gimignano either side?
We only have 7 days, as will have our dogs in kennels. I still want to stay in Florence for a few days as we love the city and last went 6 years ago.
Perhaps 2 days in Florence, 2 days in Venice and squeeze in Lucca / Siena / San Gimignano either side?
I'd go 4 /3 split and hire a car in Florence. SG, Lucca, & Siena are all an hour's drive.
You can park here overnight for free IIRC. The LTZ starts just after the bridge so you can turn around or cross the bridge without entering it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/boL18g3QXRZc8MZ8A
I've parked here before as well, which is also outside the LTZ.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8bARw51WG78uqGoR6
You can also do what we did once, which is to be really stupid and hire a vespa instead. 1am leaving the restaurant in Chianti the staff were amused that my mrs had ridden us there from Florence and then somewhat alarmed that I was going to ride us back!
You can park here overnight for free IIRC. The LTZ starts just after the bridge so you can turn around or cross the bridge without entering it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/boL18g3QXRZc8MZ8A
I've parked here before as well, which is also outside the LTZ.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8bARw51WG78uqGoR6
You can also do what we did once, which is to be really stupid and hire a vespa instead. 1am leaving the restaurant in Chianti the staff were amused that my mrs had ridden us there from Florence and then somewhat alarmed that I was going to ride us back!
I'd say that Venice is an amazing place to visit, especially in the evenings when it's a lot quieter. Foodwise there were a lot of average places to eat, so I found we had to make an effort to find somewhere good (there were tons of great places, but not guaranteed IMO). I've been a few times, and I'd say 2 days max is enough. Venice for me is probably better for combining with a trip to Verona and/or Lake Garda, both of which you can get to on the train.
Re. Tuscany, I've been countless times, and I'd say you could spend 7 days there and go somewhere different every day, although I'd say you really need a car to visit a lot of the smaller hilltop towns. Florence, Siena and Lucca are all easily accessible by train. It probably depends if you're looking for a city break or being in the countryside. We'd normally stay in an agriturismo with a restaurant for a few nights and do some day trips.
I got married in the town hall in Siena, and sitting in the Piazza Del Campo with a few drinks is a highly recommended way to spend an afternoon
Lots of info about Tuscany here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Re. Tuscany, I've been countless times, and I'd say you could spend 7 days there and go somewhere different every day, although I'd say you really need a car to visit a lot of the smaller hilltop towns. Florence, Siena and Lucca are all easily accessible by train. It probably depends if you're looking for a city break or being in the countryside. We'd normally stay in an agriturismo with a restaurant for a few nights and do some day trips.
I got married in the town hall in Siena, and sitting in the Piazza Del Campo with a few drinks is a highly recommended way to spend an afternoon
Lots of info about Tuscany here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'd stay down in Tuscany, but then I lived near Venice and once was enough (I took visiting friends there a fair few times). Lucca is lovely, as is Sienna. Lucca and Sienna are nothing like Florence.
Florence is amazing BUT can be totally overrun with Chinese tourists these days. Lucca is way more relaxing and can easily keep you interested for 2 days. Sienna - 1 day was plenty for us.
Don't forget San Gimignano
I'd not reserve any time for Pisa.
Florence is amazing BUT can be totally overrun with Chinese tourists these days. Lucca is way more relaxing and can easily keep you interested for 2 days. Sienna - 1 day was plenty for us.
Don't forget San Gimignano
I'd not reserve any time for Pisa.
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