We've put this guide together for anyone trying to figure out a travel plan, we've included flight info, venue transportation, places around Italy we've been to and enjoyed, and really anything we thought might be useful! As always, if you have any questions don't hesistate to call or text us!
| Quick Links |
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| Getting to Florence |
| Traveling Italy by Train |
| Venue Transportation |
| Pistoia Accomodations |
| Florence Accomodations |
| Florence Info |
| Travel Ideas |
There are flights from the nyc/newark airports to Florence but not direct, all flights have a layover in another country or in Rome and you change planes for the flight to Florence. The flight with the layover is most likely still faster however if you choose to fly direct to Rome, its about a three hour speed train ride from there to Florence, this is what we normally do, we generally find it cheaper than booking the flight to Florence with the layover. Below you can find more information traveling to Italy in general, for details specific to the wedding venue see "Venue" under the menu! We will be providing transportation to and from Pistoia/Florence and Casale di Valle.
| Flight Search Engines |
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| Florence SkyScanner |
| Florence Google Flights |
| Rome SkyScanner |
| Rome Google Flights |
If arriving at the FLR airport, there is a $2 tram ride of 20 minutes from the airport to city's main train station. The best way to get around the city is to to walk as much of the historical center streets are narrow but there are trams and busses.
Depending on where you start your journey in Italy, there are two main train lines Trenitalia and Italo that can get you to Florence and just about any anywhere else in Italy. In this section you can find more information about the differences between the two, images of their routes, and links to book tickets for either trains.
We recommend making your home base in Florence or Pistoia for the days of the wedding, mostly because there really isn't any kind of easy public transportation to and from the smaller towns and countryside. Also many day trip tours to areas all around the Tuscany area leave from Florence if you plan on seeing more of Italy! The wedding venue is 30 to 40 minutes from Florence/Pistoia and we are providing a private bus for our guests from both direct to the wedding venue. The exact pickup spot is yet to be determined with the company, however it will likely be at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station due to parking limitations. Here are some resources for searching hotels and airbnbs around the area. Please note, as it will be July, when looking at accomodations if it does not explicitly say air-conditioning then assume there is none.
Pistoia (Gabriele's hometown) is generally more cost effective than Florence, less hectic, and more countryside. Pistoia is only 30 minutes away from both Florence and another beautiful city called Lucca. We've included below a list of recommendations if you choose to make your home base here, we shall also be providing transportation from Pistoia as well.
| Hotel Searches |
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| Booking.com |
| Hotels.com |
| Airbnb |
| Tripadvisor |
The best way to get around the city is to to walk because of the medeival layout, the streets are narrow but there are trams and busses that circle around the center. It usually is faster to walk in general, but if you would like to see the city busses and routes there is a convenient planner website for seeing the bus routes. Below you can find the link to the bus route planner and other travel guides that we generally use.
| Florence Travel Planning Links |
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| Florence Bus Planner |
| Tourist Attractions |
| Trip Advisor Recs |
| Earth Trekkers Guide |
Agriturismo Torreghiotta
Agriturismo San Rocco
Villa Giorgia Albergo in Collina
Hotel Patria
Villa Parri Residenza D'epoca
Hotel Pendini
II Guelfo Bianco
Palazzo San Niccolò
Hotel De La Ville
