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Tuscany cities

12 replies

Soawesome · 08/01/2020 15:36

If you were going to have a 3 day stay in a city before a week in a Tuscan agriturismo in August, would you choose Pisa, Florence, Rome or Sienna? (Interested in history, not that bothered by lots of art galleries but historical buildings and museums would be of interest. Would stay in an air BnB very centrally wherever we went).
Thank you!

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RougeVinEtFromage · 14/01/2020 10:21

No help but a hopeful bump as I'm after similar advice.

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senua · 14/01/2020 10:28

Definitely not Pisa. Three hours, maybe. Deffo not three days.

Everyone goes on about the heat in Rome in August be we had no problem with it.

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SalamanderingAbroad · 14/01/2020 10:28

Rome! So much to see and do - could never get tired of it and its possible to be in really lovely bits that aren't overrun by tourists.

Friends went to Florence last year and found it so busy they weren't comfortable. Sienna might be less busy.

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LIZS · 14/01/2020 10:31

Rome (but it would be boiling) or Florence. Lucca as an alternative from where either Pisa or Florence is an easy train ride. Where do you fly to and where is the agriturismo?

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LIZS · 14/01/2020 10:33

Check dates of August Pallio if considering Siena, and Ferragosta.

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fedup2017 · 14/01/2020 10:43

Rome is just amazing. It is busy and touristy and you will find loads to do and see.
(But will be HOT do if you're not great in heat the take this into account).
Florence is great but more art focused.
Pisa is few hours trip rather than a few days....... Apart from area around tower rest of area isn't great. If you really wanted to go to Pisa I'd stay in Lucca and go for the day.
Sienna is lovely if you wanted to mooch for a few days. It hasn't got the big sights of Rome or Florence and is obviously a much smaller city.

Just to throw something else in the mix Bologna is a great city, especially if you're into food!

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LIZS · 14/01/2020 10:46

Yes Bologna is a lovely place to roam around. Less hectic airport too.

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AnnaMagnani · 14/01/2020 10:47

Not Pisa. Rome or Florence may be boiling in August.

For a few days - Sienna or Lucca.

Definitely not Bologna in August, it's a terrible time to visit. Even the Bolognese have left as the weather is so dreadful.

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CheddarGorgeous · 14/01/2020 12:26

I've been to Siena and Florence in August. Both were insufferably hot. Siena was smaller, less busy and had more shade. So I'd go for Siena with a day trip by train to Florence.

Rome in August sounds like the 7th circle of hell Grin

Arezzo was also a lovely place to visit.

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sorryiasked · 14/01/2020 12:32

Had the best ice cream / gelato ever in Siena if that helps Grin

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wheresmymojo · 14/01/2020 13:26

I've been to Rome in August, I don't get why people make such a big deal out of it.

I mean, yes, it's hot but there are water fountains everywhere and we just took a break to sit and grab a cold drink and people watch at a shady cafe if we got too hot.

I mean it's mid 30's or so which is fairly typical of lots of places around the Med area in August.

Just make sure you stay somewhere with air con as otherwise nighttime's would be horrible.

The bonus is that it's much quieter as everyone is put off by the 'legendary heat' Grin

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AnnaMagnani · 14/01/2020 15:13

Both Bologna and Florence have micro-climates that make them go into the 40s in August.

I had my honeymoon in Bologna in August. It was like being hit in the face by the heat everyday and a lot of the major attractions and restaurants were just shut. It was grim.

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