Getting There & Other Need to Knows

Question

Getting There: Which Airport is Closest to the Wedding Venue?

Answer

The closest airport to fly into is the airport in Florence (FLR). This airport will have direct transportation to the city center via public train or bus. Please Note: The Florence airport is very small and it is unlikely that there are any direct flights from the US...but if you're interested in visiting other Italian cities, direct flights to Rome or Bologna could be great alternatives.

Question

Getting There: Can I Fly into Any Other Airports?

Answer

Yes! The Airport in Bologna (BLQ) is about 1-1.5 hours outside of Florence and can connect you to the city center by train or bus. Milan (MXP) and Rome (FCO) are also airport options. Milan is about 3 hours from Florence on the high speed train and Rome is about 2 hours from Florence on the high speed train. Fun Fact: The city of Bologna has UNESCO recognition for Gastronomic Culture...FOOD!

Question

Getting There: Will Transportation to the Wedding Be Provided?

Answer

We will be providing bus transportation for all out of town guests from Piazzale Montelungo (close to Santa Maria Novella Station) in Florence to the wedding venue in Carmignano. If you plan to use our transportation, you will need to be at Piazzale Montelungo by 4:15pm. The bus will leave promptly at 4:30pm.

Question

Traveling in Italy: What Should I Expect?

Answer

Major credit cards are accepted everywhere, except AMEX (many places don't take it), but it is always a good idea to carry a little bit of cash on you, just in case. Most ATMs will also accept American debit cards, however most credit card companies and banks require prior notification if you are planning on traveling abroad. There's nothing worse than having a card lock while traveling, so please don't forget to call your bank before leaving the states!

Question

Traveling in Italy: How Do I Charge My Devices?

Answer

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Italy has different outlets and plugs than the United States, so you will need to purchase an adapter to charge your devices. We recommend purchasing a Universal Travel Adapter, which can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.

Question

Traveling in Italy: Is it Safe?

Answer

Italy is a safe country for travel and the city of Florence is exceptionally safe with a super low crime rate! However, with tourism comes petty crimes, and pickpocketing incidences do occur. When touring in Italy, be mindful of where you are putting valuable belongings. If using a backpack, do not put wallets, phones, etc in front pockets. If wearing a purse, make sure it zips closed (I personally rep a crossover for hands free touring!) Leave your passport in the hotel and any other valuables that you don't need. If using public transportation, such as busses or trains, make sure you can see all your luggage. We almost always travel with a backpack and have made a habit of holding it to the front or off one shoulder, just in case!

Question

Traveling in Italy: What Should I Wear in June?

Answer

June in Tuscany is hot (think low to mid 80s), but not excruciating. Pack summer clothes, but keep some space for a light sweater or shawl, as it can get slightly cooler at night. The wedding is cocktail attire and up on the hills outside of Florence. The ceremony will be on the lawn and the reception will be outside on the veranda. Please keep this in mind when planning your shoes :) And more on shoes! Florence is an extremely walkable city, so pack comfy shoes! The streets, especially in the city center, are mostly cobblestone and are often uneven, so we don't recommend high heels while exploring the city. Travertine, which covers many of the steps, is VERY slippery when wet...I know this from personal experience! We don't recommend wearing shoes without grip, such as flip flops. Lastly! Mosquitoes are super fierce in Florence. Be prepared.

Question

Traveling in Italy: Other Fun Facts

Answer

There are public drinking fountains throughout the city center of Florence and all over Rome (if you plan to travel), with clean and safe water. We always bring a reusable bottle and refill throughout the day :) Tap water is not offered upon arrival in restaurants, so if you would like tap water you need to ask for it. Servers will typically ask if you would like acqua naturale (flat) or acqua frizzante (bubbly, but naturally bubbly, not carbonated). A Bar in Italy is actually a coffee shop and if you order a caffe (coffee), you will receive an espresso. If you would like an American style coffee, you will need to order a caffe Americano. Tipping 20% in restaurants is NOT required in Italy. It is okay to leave just a few euros on the table for a tip at the end of the meal (2-5 euros depending on the cost of the meal).