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Travel

The Wedding Website of Kiki Katselis and Jake Frankenthor
For our family and friends joining us in Italy, all of our wedding weekend events will take place at our venue, Borgo Antico Casalbosco, located in Pistoia. The venue is about a 40-minute drive from Florence. Since there are no direct flights from Chicago to Florence, it will be necessary to fly into a major international airport—such as Rome (FCO), Milan (MXP), or Pisa (PSA) and taking a connecting flight or train to Florence (FLR). Many guests may choose to spend a day exploring one of these iconic cities before making their way to Pistoia by train or car. We want to help make your journey as seamless and stress free as possible, so we have put together a detailed list outlining everything you need to know from flights to trains, travel recommendations, passport information – you name it!

Travel Note

Passport Information

New regulations state that passports should have at least six months of validity when traveling internationally. Most countries will not permit a traveler to enter the country unless the passport is set to expire at least six months after the final day of travel.

Flight

Flights to Italy

Recommended arrival airports: Rome (FCO) Leonardo da Vinci International Airport Pisa (PSA) International Airport Florence (FLR) Amerigo Vespucci Airport Milan (MXP) Malpensa Airport

Train

Leonardo Express Train

If you are flying into Rome’s international airport (FCO), one of the easiest ways to reach Florence is by train. Once you land, simply follow the signs inside the airport for “Treni / Trains”—they will lead you to the Leonardo Express train station, which is connected directly to the airport terminals. From there, take the Leonardo Express to Rome’s main station, Roma Termini (runs every 15–30 minutes). At Roma Termini, you can board a high-speed train (Frecciarossa or Italo) straight to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station. The ride takes only about 1.5 hours, with reserved seats and plenty of luggage space, making it the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Florence from Rome. You can buy train tickets at the airport or station kiosks, but it’s often easier to book ahead online through Trenitalia, Italo, or apps like Omio. If buying in person, be sure to validate regional tickets in the small green/white machines before boarding!

Travel Note

Renting a Car

If you plan to rent a car in Italy, it's advised to obtain an international driving permit from AAA for $20. All Italian car rental agencies will rent a car to you without an international driver's license, but if you get pulled over, you may get a ticket for not having one!

Travel Note

Where to Stay

Please find a list of recommended hotels in Pistoia, Florence, and Rome below.

Hotel

Borgo Antico Casalbosco

117 Via Montalese
Pistoia, Toscana 51100, Italy
 

All wedding celebrations will take place at Borgo Antico Casalbosco, a charming Tuscan villa surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills. We have reserved all the rooms at Borgo Antico Casalbosco for the two nights of our wedding weekend. If you’re interested in staying with us at the villa, please reach out to Kiki or Jake for availability and details.

Hotel

Grand Hotel Villa Cappugi

45 Via di Collegigliato
Pistoia, Toscana 51100, Italy
 

This hotel is just a 10-minute drive from our venue. All rooms include air conditioning and complimentary breakfast. Room rates typically average around $100 per night.

Hotel

Palazzo 42

42 Via Curtatone e Montanara
Pistoia, Toscana 51100, Italy
 

This charming boutique hotel is located in the historic center of Pistoia, just a 15-minute drive from our venue. Each room features air conditioning, and rates typically average around $100 per night.

Hotel

Hotel Ginori al Duomo

24 Via de' Ginori
Firenze, Toscana 50123, Italy
 

If you’re planning a stop in Florence, we recommend this hotel located just a five-minute walk from the Duomo. Rooms are approximately $150 per night, include air conditioning, and the hotel features a rooftop swimming pool.

Travel Note

A Friendly Heads-Up

Like many popular destinations in Europe, Italy is known for its bustling piazzas, lively train stations, and busy tourist areas. With that, pickpocketing is common in crowded spots. We recommend keeping an eye on your belongings, carryings bags that zip, and avoiding keeping valuables in back pockets. A little extra awareness goes a long way so you can relax and fully enjoy your time exploring!