Travel & Hotels
Travel Note
General Navigation
Google Maps We highly recommend using Google maps for your daily travel around Italy (and anywhere international really). You can input your starting point and destination and it will give you not only walking and driving directions, but all the public transit options including the type of transit, departure and arrival times, prices, and ETAs. We will use it day-of to coordinate exact transit times and we will use it before we arrive to explore different transit options.
Travel Note
Flights - Getting to Florence
In general, there are three main options for flights, Florence, Rome, and Milan. Fly Into Florence We recommend flying into Florence if possible, however, there are few direct flights to Florence given it’s a smaller city in Italy. To get from the Florence airport to the city center, you can take a taxi (~$35) or the T2 Tram ($1.70). The T2 tram is situated outside the front of the airport and connects the airport to Santa Maria Novella train station. The ride takes about 20 minutes and the cost is €1.70. You can either purchase a ticket at the kiosk on the platform or tap your credit card to pay when entering the tram. Note that tickets should be validated in the yellow machine after entering and an individual credit card can only be used by one person (i.e., each person must have their own credit card if using credit card tap to pay). Tickets are valid for 90 minutes from validation. The tram has multiple stops but you can follow along with Google Maps to know which stop is yours. Flying into Rome Train from Rome to Florence = 1.5hrs Take the Leonardo Express, a train that departs from Fiumicino Airport and arrives at the central Rome train station (Termini Station). Tickets can be purchased from Kiosks in the station or on the Trenitalia app. Just follow airport signs to get to the train or ask an attendant for assistance. From there you will transfer and get on a train to Florence Santa Maria Novella station (SMN). You can typically book both legs (Leonardo Express and train to Florence) in the same ticket in the Trenitalia app. Flying into Milan Train from Milan to Florence = 2.5hrs Take the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale station and then a high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo) to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Again the Trenitalia app can make ticket purchasing easier. If you are booking train tickets online or at the kiosks - remember they will be using the Italian names (e.g. Firenze instead of “Florence”, Roma, Milano, etc.)
Travel Note
Getting Around Florence
Florence is a very walkable city, you can walk to just about anywhere you need to be. The main train station (Santa Maria Novella) is also very centrally located. Should need to take a cab anywhere, note that there are designated taxi pickup locations located around the city. You will not be able to hail a cab as you would most other cities. If you need to get a cab from the train station to your hotel (which may be recommended depending on where you choose to stay) there are cabs that wait at the station. If you need a cab to pick you up from your hotel to take you back to the train station, we recommend calling a cab service ~5min before you need to be picked up. Just start speaking in English - most of the operators are bi-lingual (those who aren't will just hang up on you - so just try calling back to get a different operator). Florence Taxi Numbers (+39) 055 4242 (+39) 055 4390
Travel Note
Lodging in Florence
Because guests will be arriving and departing at different times and have different needs, we are asking guests to book their own accommodations in Florence. We will be providing each set of guests with a $200/night stipend for up to 3 nights to cover the cost of lodging. You are welcome spend up or spend down from there based on your budget, wants and needs. We will send stipends once we have received RSVPs. We recommend booking two nights before the villa (Monday Oct 5th and Tuesday Oct 6th) and one night after the villa (Friday Oct 9th). You are of course welcome to flex as needed based on your travel plans. We recommend finding a hotel in central Florence so you’re close to all of the sights and things to do in the city. Santo Spirito is also a great neighborhood across the bridge that is very centrally located. We have also stayed near the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) and it's louder but and busier but the location is great. We will share our accommodation information once we have booked in case you are interested in staying at the same hotel or close by.
Travel Note
Lodging at the Villa
We will be covering lodging at the Villa. Rooms will be assigned according to needs of the party and we will do our best to accommodate everyone. Cots are available on an as needed basis. If you plan to bring kids include them in the RSVP (there's a field) and we'll coordinate the sleeping arrangements and ensure every adult has a bed and every child has at least a cot. At the villa there is: A pool Lovely grounds to walk around On-site restaurant (breakfast is included)
Travel Note
Food at the Villa
Meals are included in your stay at the villa. Note that the welcome dinner and cocktail hour / dinner will include alcohol but no alcohol will be included at the pool party so everyone is ready for the wedding. Welcome Night Dinner The first night on site we will have a welcome night pizza party. There will be a few different pizza options and they will be made or order on site. Wedding Day Breakfast A breakfast buffet is included in your stay. When we were on site there was a small assortment of options including eggs, bread/pastries, meats and cheeses, etc.' Lunch There will be a 'pool party' lunch where flatbreads will be served by the pool. If you choose to drink at the pool party we ask you do so responsibly. Alcohol is not included for this event but it will flow freely starting at the cocktail hour. Dinner There will be a cocktail hour, followed by dinner, dessert, and a late night pasta snack for anyone who is staying up late. Venue Departure Day Breakfast Buffet and then we depart for Florence.
Travel Note
Other City Recommendations
If you're extending your trip to visit other cities, we have recommendations for Rome, Bologna, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and a few other cities / towns so don't hesitate to ask! We have thoroughly enjoyed Rome for both the food and the history despite it's touristy reputation, so we highly recommend spending a couple days there if you have the opportunity.
