Decided to return again to Tuscany this year. This time managed to find accommodation on the Web. Flew into Bologna and stayed 2 nights there. You have to get the Airport bus to Bologna to get to the train station. It was 5 euro one way, goes regularly so no complaints there. We stayed 2 nights in the Mercure Hotel opposite the train station. Had air conditioning and we didn’t bother with breakfast, just east al fresco. Glad we had air conditioning and immediately regretted not having done the same for Florence. I had forgotten how hot it becomes in early June in Italy. There wasn’t a lot to see in Bologna really but we did an enjoyable stroll around the centre and got a couple of buses to get a flavor of the place. The second day we went by train to Modena, a few miles from Florence. A medium sized town best known as the birthplace of Pavarotti and they have an Opera House named after him as well as a school of Opera and you could hear several aspiring new singers practicing in studios nearby. I had hoped to go to the Ferrari factory which was in Maranello but missed the local bus which only goes a couple times a day so had to do with a trip around the town in a Trolleybus and a bit of shopping and something to eat. Got some great cheap gifts in an Italian Euro shop.
The following day we went by Train to Florence. We went on the new Eurostar train as the regular train was nearly the same price and the Eurostar was more comfortable though not running anything near its possible top speed.
Had booked 2 rooms in Hotel Aline, should have realize that 30 euro was too cheap for a hotel room. The Hotel was supposed to be 15 minutes walk from the train station but we got lost and it took much longer than that. On the first night my bed collapsed as soon as I jumped into it. Looking underneath the bed was already broken and held together with broken bits of wood and ‘bluetak’. Not being able to find anyone to help I found another bed from a selection of beds located out on the fire escape. I managed to make up a bed from bits and pieces. And left the broken bed frame with the other bits on the fire escape.
Apart from the bed incident the only other complaint was getting bitten all over by bugs and the heat. Luckily being so tired every night meant I fell asleep quickly. Next time must remember to go for the dearer Hotel with proper beds and air conditioning.
We used Florence as a base and did several trips. We went by train to Pisa, Lucca and a fairly long trip to Assisi. Assisi was about 2 hours but it was a nice trip, and from Assisi station there was a bus to take you to the town. You can buy bus tickets in the train station. I found it easier to buy the train tickets at the automatic ticket machines. The queues at the ticket office were very slow. We got a coach to Siena as the train doesn’t go near the town. The coach station is a bit hard to find in Florence. If you are the Florence train station, the coach station is over beyond where they are building the new tram line terminus, and the temporary tourist office is also there. The Italian authorities seem reluctant to put up direction signs.
Within Florence we got a small bus, Bus 12 up and 13 back which brings you to Piazzale Michelangelo where there is a great view looking down on Florence. Further up the hill is San Minuito church, which has another great view and a long walk up. The bus terminus is just down from McDonalds which is opposite the trainstation.
You can get another local bus (number 7) to another hill top town called Fiesole, only takes about 15 minutes and you could go there in the evenings for a coffee or a meal in several cafes.
We didn’t go for any expensives meals, we ate mainly in the train station or grabbed slices of pizza outside, and McDonalds of course for snacks. There were 2 cafes we found quite useful. One was near the Duemo called Leonardos. It was upstairs over a shop. They had bottle openers hanging from the tables on chains. But it was honest local cooking and food was good. One of my friends was there last year and she loved the bottle openers as being the deal clincher. For a budget meal you could do no better than leonardos. Also easy to find was a corner café right opposite the Duemo. Bottegone was the name and really good value plus you can look out at the crowds admiring the Duemo.
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