Couple of nights in Tuscany

Louisa_Jane_2

We've booked an apartment in Tuscany for a week (1st time), Sunday to Sunday in August, but as the flights were only £5 to come home on the Tuesday, I've got a couple of nights to fill - I have thought of Florence, but a hot, packed city filled with tourists (OK - I know I will be one too!) fills me with dread - has anyone any suggestions? I fancy going to the coast, but don't know where's nice.

bcl999

There's a place on the coast not far from Pisa. Can't remember the name of it but they visited it in last series of Coach Trip. Looked nice. Hope someone will come up with the name for you.

Pee

Florence is lovely!!! It really wasn't very packed when I was there, the beginning of June. I wonder is this because of the credit crunch. It may well be unbearably hot by then.

With the coast, try getting a rough guide out of the library. I recently went to the Cinque Terre - same trip as Florence - and it was completely lovely and beautiful, but more packed than Florence, due to it being a lot smaller.

Florence is just so lovely, I culdn't rate it highly enough...

Louisa_Jane_2

Don't get me wrong, I would love to visit Florence, but I have read that it is extremely busy in August and all the galleries etc are heaving - that's what's putting me off.

Pee

Hopefully others will come with their thoughts. I have never been in August.

The Uffizi only allows 600 people in at a time, but you can book your ticket in advance so you have a time slot to visit. I think this is a good idea. Also I would book for the Accademia and for the Bargelo. The Bargelo I am sure will be an oasis of cool when you get there, it has a lovely cool courtyard.

My friend had a copy of Rick Steve's guidebook to Florence and Tuscany. I love guidebooks but had ever heard of that one. He's American and I really rated his guidebook, despite having some reservations about Americans.

I think Augsut is traditional Italian holiday time, so I guess they are all heading for the coast?

puffinmuffin

Pee wrote: »

Florence is lovely!!! It really wasn't very packed when I was there, the beginning of June. I wonder is this because of the credit crunch. It may well be unbearably hot by then.

With the coast, try getting a rough guide out of the library. I recently went to the Cinque Terre - same trip as Florence - and it was completely lovely and beautiful, but more packed than Florence, due to it being a lot smaller.

Florence is just so lovely, I culdn't rate it highly enough...

I have been here too, it's gorgeous. There is a train from Pisa i think. Monterosso is the only one with beach access. They villages are much nier in the evening after the daytrippers have gone.

hollydays

Bologna is lovely too,but it would be just as hot I think.

Pee

Monterosso is the only one with sand beach and parasols. You can get down to a beach of sorts with most of them. Agreed, much nicer in the evenings. I'm sure there are better beaches around if you just want a beach, though.

Pee

I have to say my thinking about Italy is wherever you go you can't go far wrong.

bcl999

Had some time this morning to do a little "googling" and i think this was the place I saw on Coach Trip - Viareggio.
http://www.welcometuscany.it/tuscany/tuscany_beaches_coasts/versilia/viareggio.htm