Florence Journal

Florence & Tuscany Bike Tours

Bike tours, both in the center of Florence and in the countryside of Tuscany and the Chianti hills seem to have exploded in popularity in the last few years. Perhaps it is mix of affordability and doing something that is good for you that is drawing so many people to this type of tourism. In any case, there are several bike tours from many companies available in Florence, below are a few ideas:

TUSCANY BIKE TOUR


FLORENCE BIKE TOUR


FLORENCE SUNSET BIKE TOUR

Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence

I see a lot of questions about visiting the Cinque Terre on various travel forums and websites. This tour seems like the perfect answer: Cinque Terre Hiking Day Trip from Florence

For a limited time the trip is being offered for $100 a person. Trying to make it there yourself on the train for a day is pretty hectic - I have done it and didn't really have any time to see much once we got there. An excursion like this really makes it worth it if you have your heart set on seeing the Cinque Terre while in Florence.

A trip to Sillico

A little far for a day trip maybe, but perfect for a weekend, here are some photos and a little bit about Sillico, an area known for its chestnuts.

Fiat 500 Touring Club, Florence

The HQ of the Fiat 500 Touring Club place is right around the corner from us - I keep meaning to check it out - but then I stumbled upon this cool video today:

Looks like a lot of fun! (If the video doesn't work, try this link: http://vimeo.com/6945638)

Fattoria Vitticio

We had a great visit with our friends Jane, Ken and Casey on Saturday in Greve. They live on the property at Fattoria Viticcio, a noted winery and agriturismo. More to come about the day soon -

Tuscan restaurants outside of Florence

Just came across this good but a little outdated (the prices are given in Lira) list of restaurants that are outside of Florence, with mini-reviews. Most are in the Chianti area, but there a few from other towns.

Certosa del Galluzzo

The Certosa del Galluzzo is a hill top monastery just outside of Florence - a short drive (out the Porta Romana and follow the Via Senese), or accessible by bus or taxi. The 37 bus used to service this route, but that route seems to have disappeared from the ATAF website - the 36 looks like the one to take now. You will have to walk up the hill (here is a large image of the route).

The monastery has a few monks left and tours are conducted about every half an hour. The collection includes some important works by Pontormo who came here to escape the plague in 1522. Closed for lunch from 11:30 to 3, and in the winter open only afternoons - it is probably best to call ahead for a visit: 055 204 9226

 

Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d'Orcia

Bagno Vignoni, known for its thermal baths and spas, is a hamlet in the rolling hills southwest of Siena in the quintessential Tuscan countryside of post cards and movies. Like a lot of small towns in this country it has been brought back to post-war life and is fully set up to exploit the tourism trade with ample parking, hotels (Albergo Le Terme, Hotel Posta Marcucci), and fancy places to eat (Osteria del Leone). Even so, it still retains a lot of charm and is one of those places you eventually have to see, especially for the large pool in the center of the town that has been used since Roman times. The film Nostalghia by Andrei Tarkovsky features the pool prominently, although when it was in a much worse state of repair (the film was shot in 1983). Here is a good map of the village, and this page has some additional information too.

Grotta del Vento, The Wind Cave

North of Lucca, in the area known as the Garfagnana, is the Grotta del Vento - one of the most accessible (and highly commercialized!) caves in Tuscany. As a day trip from Florence with kids, it is pushing the limit - we followed the directions on the official website, which had us getting off the main highway much earlier than Lucca, and it was slow and tedious going trying to stay on the correct roads. I would suggest you stay on the A11 until Lucca and then get on the SS12 heading north up the Serchio River Valley.

The trip is nearly two hours, but once you are past Lucca and start heading up the valley, it is really quite picturesque. You also pass the Devil's Bridge at Borgo a Mozzano which is an amazing example of medieval engineering. Either before or after a visit to the cave, you can also stop in Barga (barganews.com is a good website), a beautiful and ancient hill town with the ruins of a Roman aqueduct among it's sights.

The picture is of our daughter Alice in the cave.

Sant'Alessandro a Giogoli

Sant'Alessandro a Giogoli is a very interesting looking Romanesque church (12C) on the way from Florence to Montespertoli. It is just off of the SP4 (Strada Provinciale) or Via Volterrana and is surrounded by olive groves. The sign on the front says there is a Ghirlandaio inside, but the church was closed both in the morning and in the afternoon on my way back and forth from Montespertoli to visit a friend. Hopefully I will return soon and try a little harder to get inside.