Tuscany/Northern Italy in March...Advice..?

I am doing an ED for a 650 convertible at the end of March. Right now, I am planning on doing four or five days in Italy (I might extend a couple of days if possible).

The plan is to drive down to Asolo for the first night, then on to Florence for three nights, then back to Munich. A few questions:

- In Florence, I am staying in the center of the city; is this a good idea?...or is it better to stay just outside the city? (I have seen Villa Fiesole recommended a lot in here).
- Is three nights in Florence too much? Should do a night in Siena or somewhere else.
- How long should I realistically plan for the drive back from Florence to Munich?
- If I extend the trip a day or two, I may head up the coast towards Genoa; is Genoa worth a stop? Is the coast drive beautiful?
- Other towns I should try to get to?

Any other recommendations, highlights, cautions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Reply » Tuscany/Northern Italy in March...Advice..?

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I am doing an ED for a 650 convertible at the end of March. Right now, I am planning on doing four or five days in Italy (I might extend a couple of days if possible).

The plan is to drive down to Asolo for the first night, then on to Florence for three nights, then back to Munich. A few questions:

- In Florence, I am staying in the center of the city; is this a good idea?...or is it better to stay just outside the city? (I have seen Villa Fiesole recommended a lot in here).
- Is three nights in Florence too much? Should do a night in Siena or somewhere else.
- How long should I realistically plan for the drive back from Florence to Munich?
- If I extend the trip a day or two, I may head up the coast toward Genoa; is Genoa worth a stop? Is the coast drive beautiful?
- Other towns I should try to get to?

Any other recommendations, highlights, cautions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I believe I may have been the first B'fester to stay at Villa Fiesole and many who have followed my trail agreed that it is a great place from where to venture into Florence. Hotel is located on a hill overlooking beautiful Florence. You can reach downtown Florence in 15 minus via the city bus that stops just outside the hotel, while you leave your car parked at the hotel for free. I really did not have to worry about my car when I saw a few Ferrari parked there.

See the picture of my room below. Since we were 3 we go this beautiful in the Annex building of the hotel with beautiful fresco ceiling, marble floors, and large balcony/deck to overlook Florence.

I stayed in Florence 2 days and actually postponed my departure to Genoa by half day so that I could more sightseeing.

Genoa is nothing to write home about. On your way to Genoa you may want to make a small detour to Pisa. I did. Rather that staying in Genoa proper you should stay in one of the smaller cities either south or north of Genoa. I stayed in Rapallo, 10 miles south of Genoa. The drive along the Ligurian coastal road is awesome. Unfortunately I cannot recommend the hotel I stayed at in Rapallo. I know several other people have visited the area so you may want to do a search on Genoa and Rapallo.

Plan on a 6 hour trip from Florence to Munich.

Reply » Tuscany/Northern Italy in March...Advice..?

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Yep, Villa Fiesole is it. Its well worth the money. We got the great rooms right by the courtyard in the front. Great parking. The only issue we had with the buses is they tend to get crowded in the early evening so be prepared to deal with humanity in a small crowded space along with the smells.

If I were doing Florence again, this is what I would do.
Arrive in Florence, sightsee Duomo in the afternoon, stay one night at Villa Fiesole. Next day, tour Ufizi gallery in the morning (book in advance) and then head to Siena or Montalcino for three nights and just get lost in Tuscanny.

You might also want to spend a night in Lucca, an hour west of Florence.

We drove to Santa Margherita to drop off our friends and the drive from Florence was nice on the Autostrada but nothing special.

Reply » Tuscany/Northern Italy in March...Advice..?

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Thanks guys. Very helpful. Still undecided about staying in town or outside of town; I love cities, and I really like being able to just walk from my hotel at any hour of the day or night, and be right there in the heart of a place .... Regarding Siena; same issue as Florence: would you stay in Siena, or outside of city?

I am definitely going to try to add a day or two, so I can do the coast too.

Thanks.

Reply » Tuscany/Northern Italy in March...Advice..?

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Florence: the stay depends on your interest in the renaissance and pain-threshold to tourists. If you book the Uffizi in advance, see if you can get the reservation including the corridoio Vasariano, the corridor that links Uffizi with Palazzo Pitti; if you have a kid with you, check out also the tour of the 'secret' rooms of Palazzo Vecchio. My favorite museum is the Museo San Marco (convent with Fra' Angelico frescoes; not too tourist-mobbed). Il Cibreo is a great restaurant; the aera around il Cibreo is also interesting (check out the food market). One freeway exit off Florence is the MALL, with Tod's, Ferragamo, Gucci, etc. outlets.
To me Siena is good for a quick stop, not for a night (unless it's Palio week). I'd rather tour around Val d' Orcia (Southern Tuscany), taking local roads (great landscape and great driving), end up in Montalcino (need I say 'great wine'?), Pienza, and Bagno Vignoni (Hotel Posta Marcucci: swimming pool on top of a hot spring: http://www.hotelpostamarcucci.it/PagPrinc.htm ). In alternative, go to Castellina in Chianti for wine and steaks (restaurant: L' Albergaccio) and drive to Arezzo (another good quick stop) and Montevarchi (Prada factory outlet).
I would postpone Liguria.
Well, now I feel like going back myself.!!!
edit: If you do go to the coast: stop in Lucca (I like it better than Pisa) and then go to Lerici (icecream: "paciugo") and Portovenere. They are the two towns on the 'horns' of the "Gulf of the Poets." Shelley and Byron lived (and Shelley died) there.

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We drove to Santa Margherita to drop off our friends and the drive from Florence was nice on the Autostrada but nothing special.

The Autostrada south of Genoa is nothing. North of Genoa iti is a little more interesting as you drive closer to sea, has sweeping curves, and tunnels. What I was referring to was the coastal road also known a Via Aurelia that runs along hugging the coast and through every single town. The mountains come all the way to the sea so it makes for a very interesting scenic ride.

Here is more info on Liguria.

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