In this final post in this series on tips and tricks for having a pleasant trip in Tuscany, I am sharing my last bits of advice for those travelling to the region. Having just returned from Tuscany, I reaffirmed lots of my thoughts on holidaying in Italy and learned a few new things about Tuscany, in particular. If you want to avoid stress caused by cultural differences and confusion that can take away from a vacation, be sure to keep these things in mind!
9. Book in advance. Plan in advance.
Opening hours, as we have discussed, vary in Italy and attractions can also be open or closed on different days during the week. Also, as Tuscany is home to a multitude of the world's most popular and famous attractions, you can meet large queues and booked-out venues.
9. Book in advance. Plan in advance.
Opening hours, as we have discussed, vary in Italy and attractions can also be open or closed on different days during the week. Also, as Tuscany is home to a multitude of the world's most popular and famous attractions, you can meet large queues and booked-out venues.
In others parts of the world, you can casually approach organising your trip but I would suggest having at least rough outline in mind of what you're going to do each day in advance of your arrival. During my recent trip, I was left to do all of the organising and it was stressful as we had done nothing before landing in Tuscany. That lovely winery I mentioned in an earlier post? Well, we got lucky with that! When the family decided they wanted to do a winery visit the next day, I spent a panicked evening (where everyone else was chilling out by the pool) trying to find a nearby vineyard that offered daily visits and could take us the very next day. It worked out in the end but, save yourself the hassle and think it through early on! We also missed out on seeing a Medici villa that I really wanted to visit as we didn't look it up in advance and found out too late that it only opened to the public on weekends. Moral of the story, don't assume and plan!
10. Florence
It was my first visit to Florence and I was flabbergasted upon arrival. I have never, ever been anywhere so busy in my life and I've been to many of Europe's biggest capitals. It was September, so we expected to meet dwindling tourist crowds but, actually, September is a very busy month in Florence. August is too hot and many avoid the city during that month, while April, May, June, September, and October are popular (and pricier times to visit). While this may not deter you from visiting during these times, do bear in mind that you will need to allow more time for things than you thought. As the city is protected, taxis cannot be hailed but must be found as ranks. There will be queues. Even if you buy tickets for attractions in advance, there will be queues. Popular parts of the city will be filled with crowds. Everything will take more time than you thought.
Basically, if you're planning a trip to Florence at all, be prepared for crowds, be prepared to wait and be organised well in advance and you will have a much more pleasant time of it!
For more key tips to a stress-free time in Tuscany, be sure to read back on to the rest of this series and keep them in mind when you find a vacation rental in Tuscany.
10. Florence
It was my first visit to Florence and I was flabbergasted upon arrival. I have never, ever been anywhere so busy in my life and I've been to many of Europe's biggest capitals. It was September, so we expected to meet dwindling tourist crowds but, actually, September is a very busy month in Florence. August is too hot and many avoid the city during that month, while April, May, June, September, and October are popular (and pricier times to visit). While this may not deter you from visiting during these times, do bear in mind that you will need to allow more time for things than you thought. As the city is protected, taxis cannot be hailed but must be found as ranks. There will be queues. Even if you buy tickets for attractions in advance, there will be queues. Popular parts of the city will be filled with crowds. Everything will take more time than you thought.
Basically, if you're planning a trip to Florence at all, be prepared for crowds, be prepared to wait and be organised well in advance and you will have a much more pleasant time of it!
For more key tips to a stress-free time in Tuscany, be sure to read back on to the rest of this series and keep them in mind when you find a vacation rental in Tuscany.