-
Staying June 14th to 19th (with day trips to Pisa and maybe Bologna). Can’t seem to find a 4 or 5 start hotel in the city center under 250 a night. Seems a bit steep given that we won’t be spending much time in the hotel.
Any recommendations for hotels or things to do?
If you are heading to Pisa, I recommend staying in Autogragh Collection in Lucca. Great value on points and Lucca is a nice town (I preferred it to Pisa). Unfortunately, the base rooms looks booked out till August. However, I would keep checking as there may be last minute cancellations.
Unfortunately, we are in a hyper inflationary period for hotel prices in Europe. Last October NH hotel in Florence was £130, its now £500 over June. W Amsterdam is also going for EUR600.
@trader363: we returned 2 weeks ago from a 5 night stay in Florence. We were based in the Hotel Laurus al Duomo which is in the city centre and about 200 yds from the cathedral with all other venues within walking distance. Currently, I think the hotel is available for around €1750 for those dates.
If you’re going to the museums be sure which you want to visit and book ahead. Some get very busy. You can buy a ticket which allows entry to the 5 segments of the cathedral over 3 days iiric. Beware, the climb to the top of the dome is not for the faint hearted or infirm. Tickets for “David” at the Galleria Accademia were sold out before we even got to Florence. There are numerous acceptable reasonable restaurants within 150 yds of the hotel.
The tram from the airport to Florence centre, 500mtrs from Laurus, is €1.50pp and easy. We did Florence to Pisa, Pisa to Lucca, and Lucca to Florence in one day-about €20pp in 3 separate tickets. There may be a way of buying them in one at a discount but we weren’t that bothered.
Great city, wouldn’t hesitate to go back but does get very busy. Electric taxis, police cars, bikes, scooters etc all over the place.
Enjoy.+1 for staying in Lucca. As well as being stunning and wonderful and a lot more relaxing than Florence, it’s on the rail line between Pisa and Florence and Viareggio giving you loads of very easy trip options.
Have you looked at staying in Fiesole, or nearby in the hills just above Florence? We once stayed in an Airbnb with great views over the city (better than Villa San Michele!) and another Airbnb in the centre so that’s worth looking at.
Easy to get into the city on the bus that takes 20 mins and drops you by the Duomo. As others mention, Lucca is lovely but being able to wander around Florence in the early morning and evening when there aren’t any tour groups around is worth staying in or around the city. Bologna is perhaps worth a separate 2/3 day trip as there is so much to do there plus side trip to Ferrara.
What do you recommend to do or see in Ferrara and Bologna @JDB?
I love Bologna. It is an Italian foodie delight. I love the portico covered pavements which makes walking if it is raining very easy.
As for things to do there are the leaning towers, built by competing rich families each trying to out-do each other. You can stay in one if them (well 5 years ago you could).
There’s also the university and the medical museum which is fascinating if rather macabre. There are also other museums and art galleries. The food markets are lovely. Plus it is an easy city to take a day trip to Modena – home to balsamic vinegar and olive oil plus Lamborghini and Ferrari, the latter has a fantastic museum. Also very easy to do a day trip to Parma home of the cheese.
I also recommend Lucca, a delightful place and a must if you are a fan of Puccini, he was born there and the house is now a museum. Plus love the ramparts which are a fantastic walk.
There’s probably L’amica geniale TV series location tours available for Florence.
What do you recommend to do or see in Ferrara and Bologna @JDB?
Probably some of the best food in Italy and at more normal prices than the more touristy cities, including in the Piazza Maggiore, walking around the porticos. The main art gallery is good, as well as the university (Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio), the tower that must be climbed/Due Torri, the basilica and many other churches, if you have time a trip up to the San Luca sanctuary via the porticos. If you enjoy modern art the MAMBo is good with an incredible collection of Morandi paintings.
Ferrara is 20 minutes by train and again packed with good restaurants. I’m not sure if the Palazzo/Museo Schifanoia has reopened yet, but also San Antonio monastery, the Cathedral and the Pinacoteca museum and much more. It’s a very full day out from Bologna.
Thanks so much for all of the advice and recommendations! I’m looking into Laurus al Duomo as I’ve found it for £200 a night with a discount code on the dates we’re looking for
@trader363
Good luck and enjoy nevertheless; say hello to Elizabeth at breakfast😄Have also used Bologna as a base a few times – nearly always decent BA prices at good times, great
train connections for trips to Florence & even Venice.
As opposed to having XXX number of sights, just love strolling around eating & drinking!We stayed at Hotel Pitti Palace a few years ago. Rooms were relatively modern by Florence standards and the location is fantastic, just steps away from the Ponte Vecchio. Breakfast was nice too with views of the city
Tx AJA and JDB. My uncle is buried in Forlì so I will stay next time and make it a side trip and stay in Bologna.
just went to look on airbnb as I stayed in a very nice apartment there a few years back – WOW – the prices! Is there something on? Nuts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
