Any Tuscany/Florence Experts here?
Discussion
Ok, very cleverly booked a (wedding anniversary) 4 day break in Florence which seemed really good value. I am now beginning to believe that this could be because the flight lands in Pisa! 
Its only about 65kms away ferchrissakes and transport companies are talking about £180/200 + for transport between airport/hotel and back!
Anyone here been and can enlighten me to what the Taxis are like? Cheap/dear/available/hard to find/mad etc, etc
Gonna go anyway so any hints about good restaurants/bars etc would be good.
Ta all!
Its only about 65kms away ferchrissakes and transport companies are talking about £180/200 + for transport between airport/hotel and back!
Anyone here been and can enlighten me to what the Taxis are like? Cheap/dear/available/hard to find/mad etc, etc
Gonna go anyway so any hints about good restaurants/bars etc would be good.
Ta all!
Trains are much cheaper in Italy than taxis for longer distances. You should be able to get one from Pisa to Florence.
When are you going? I would suggest that where possible you book tickets for attractions that you want to see well in advance as the ques are pretty long.
In Italy there is often a substantial difference between the price you'll pay for a drink at the bar and the price you'll pay sitting at a table ( this will be added as a surcharge to your bill ) so be warned.
When are you going? I would suggest that where possible you book tickets for attractions that you want to see well in advance as the ques are pretty long.
In Italy there is often a substantial difference between the price you'll pay for a drink at the bar and the price you'll pay sitting at a table ( this will be added as a surcharge to your bill ) so be warned.
Hire a car from Pisa airport and drive. Lovely countryside. Traffic in Florence is a bit crazy but worth it as with a car you can visit other places in Tuscany (e.g. Sienna).
In Florence itself no visit is complete without a visit to the Uffizi.
As for the rest of Florence just walk around and savour the place ... its beautiful
In Florence itself no visit is complete without a visit to the Uffizi.
As for the rest of Florence just walk around and savour the place ... its beautiful
Hi, agree with the postings above.... Pisa airport to Florence is an easy drive although it gets a bit crazy during rush hour when you get near Florence. You wont need a car while you are in Florence, just about everything is walking distance. Think I paid about £30 a day for car hire from Pisa airport although I pre booked it in the UK. Have you asked the hotel if they can arrange transport?
As already said trains are cheap and reliable in Italy, can't remember where the station is in Pisa but its fairly central in Florence.
If you do hire a car and have the time get yourselves to Siena, about 50 minutes drive south of Florence. San Gimignano is also nice if you are in that area.
As already said trains are cheap and reliable in Italy, can't remember where the station is in Pisa but its fairly central in Florence.
If you do hire a car and have the time get yourselves to Siena, about 50 minutes drive south of Florence. San Gimignano is also nice if you are in that area.
Agree with the sentiments of Florence - lovely place, very beautiful and do go to the Ufizi. We had to queue for ages so be prepared for that.
As I remember, there were day trip/excursions etc to Pisa so its definitely reachable and not too far. I'd personally do the train thing - if nothing else, you'll get to see the Italian countryside on the way. Better than not seeing it because you're worrying about whether you're driving in the right direction etc!
As I remember, there were day trip/excursions etc to Pisa so its definitely reachable and not too far. I'd personally do the train thing - if nothing else, you'll get to see the Italian countryside on the way. Better than not seeing it because you're worrying about whether you're driving in the right direction etc!
If your hotel is in the centre of Florence DON'T get a car, it's 
ing awful trying to find anywhere in the city. Get the train from Pisa to Florence, the station in Pisa is in the airport - couldn't be simpler, the trains run on time and I think (while since I last went) it's about an hour to Florence. When you get there it's a quick taxi ride to the centre. Let the taxi drivers take the stress for you!!! Oh and don't forget to validate your train ticket before you get on the train. You do this by getting it stamped in the gold machines on the platforms.
Florence is an amazing city. Most people don't go out before 10:00pm normally so don't be surprised if it's a bit quiet early on. The areas around the Cathederal are nice, lots of shops, bars, a market and some nice cake shops. Watch out for the prices if you want lunch here, better to wonder out a bit. There is also a cracking science museum round the back of the town hall near the Ufizi, they have Galileo's finger in a jar!!!!
ing awful trying to find anywhere in the city. Get the train from Pisa to Florence, the station in Pisa is in the airport - couldn't be simpler, the trains run on time and I think (while since I last went) it's about an hour to Florence. When you get there it's a quick taxi ride to the centre. Let the taxi drivers take the stress for you!!! Oh and don't forget to validate your train ticket before you get on the train. You do this by getting it stamped in the gold machines on the platforms. Florence is an amazing city. Most people don't go out before 10:00pm normally so don't be surprised if it's a bit quiet early on. The areas around the Cathederal are nice, lots of shops, bars, a market and some nice cake shops. Watch out for the prices if you want lunch here, better to wonder out a bit. There is also a cracking science museum round the back of the town hall near the Ufizi, they have Galileo's finger in a jar!!!!
trains are good between the two Taxis should not be that earth shattering either.
As for the Ufuzi get your hotel to book you tickets, even with tickets you have to que with out you have no chance at all.
Other than that fantastic place you cant go that far wrong!
I found ear plugs to be a good idea as most of the central hotels are small jobbies (the big chains tend to be out of town) and the noise of mopeds being reved to within an inch of their lives can get a bit much so for a good night ear plugs do wonders.
As for the Ufuzi get your hotel to book you tickets, even with tickets you have to que with out you have no chance at all.
Other than that fantastic place you cant go that far wrong!
I found ear plugs to be a good idea as most of the central hotels are small jobbies (the big chains tend to be out of town) and the noise of mopeds being reved to within an inch of their lives can get a bit much so for a good night ear plugs do wonders.
Ah, found the website for the science museum:
www.imss.fi.it/info/eimssdove.html
Edited to add:
When we were there a few years ago with friends that lived there we were lucky enough to visit Mugello to see Ferrari and Minardi testing. It was ace
www.mugellocircuit.it/english/index.htm
And if you venture further you could always visit Maranello...
>> Edited by NikB on Wednesday 4th January 16:32
www.imss.fi.it/info/eimssdove.html
Edited to add:
When we were there a few years ago with friends that lived there we were lucky enough to visit Mugello to see Ferrari and Minardi testing. It was ace
www.mugellocircuit.it/english/index.htm
And if you venture further you could always visit Maranello...
>> Edited by NikB on Wednesday 4th January 16:32
Buy a book on Florence in advance and plan what you want to see, there is just an incredible amount to see, some of the most beautiful frescoes and paitings are found in the smaller musuems and churches away from the centre. It would be all too easy to spend most of your day queing for a few large attractions and miss out on some of the hidden gems.
mastiff said:
Great advice people, many thanks. Keep the hints coming.
Looking into the trains now, as we will only have hand luggage.
Looking forward to this now, it sounds great!!
Good advice regarding the train, i drove from Pisa to Florence last year and whilst the highway was ok (ignoring italian machismo), driving in Florence was pure bedlam. We found public transport was good, including the busses.
Don't want to sound negative, as i did enjoy Florence, but for me Sienna was the jewel, just beautiful, less hectic and muh more romantic.
Taxi from airport to Pisa station, train to Florence. Did this a couple of years ago, dead easy and cheap too.
Florence Santa Maria Novella station is right in the centre of the city, and nothing in ancient Florence is further away than walking distance.
Enjoy!
Edited to add: very helpful Italian train site here, fares and timetables. In English!
www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Edited again - excellent Florentine restaurant, specialising in spit roasts and grills:
www.laspadaitalia.com/en/index.php
Get there early to get a table!
>> Edited by moosepig on Wednesday 4th January 17:20
Florence Santa Maria Novella station is right in the centre of the city, and nothing in ancient Florence is further away than walking distance.
Enjoy!
Edited to add: very helpful Italian train site here, fares and timetables. In English!
www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Edited again - excellent Florentine restaurant, specialising in spit roasts and grills:
www.laspadaitalia.com/en/index.php
Get there early to get a table!
>> Edited by moosepig on Wednesday 4th January 17:20
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