Itinerary: Dublin & Florence – in 1 week

Posted on by bikesandbordeaux

 

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I studied abroad in Florence, and worked in Dublin on a 4-month work visa, so the itinerary below is based on my experience living in both cities and how I’d spend my time if I were a first time visitor to either city. I originally created this itinerary in the hopes that Ryan and I would do this trip together – but in the meantime Ryan found his way to Dublin on his own and we’re going to Italy together in February 2019! So we did do this itinerary – just in pieces instead of as a whole.

=3 Days in Ireland =

DAY ONE: DUBLIN

EXPLORE:

  • Guinness Experience
  • Craft Brews @ Against the Grain on Wexford St.
  • DublinBikes – Bike rental program – bikes available on the street.
  • National Museum of Ireland on Kildare St.
    • ((Preserved Bog People displayed!!!)) <– This is an actual note I made to myself about why I want to go to this museum – since museums are typically not my thing.

DAY TWO : DUBLIN

  • Morning: Breakfast at Bretzel Bakery
    • The oldest Jewish bakery in the city, in the historic Portobello neighborhood. Almond Croissant or Hot Bagel recommended ($3-$7)
  • Late Morning: Dublin City Bike Tour
    • 3 hours
  • Afternoon: Art Tea
    • Afternoon tea with artistic desserts at the Merrion Hotel.
    • Art Tea is served from 3pm to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and is served at 2pm and 4.30pm Friday to Sunday. See website for online reservations,  email dining@merrionhotel.com, or call (01) 603 0608 .

DAY 3: IRISH EXCURSION –Galway? Visit Castles?

Option 1: Galway:

  •            Take the train to Galway and wander around and enjoy the town

Option 2: Visit a Castle:

  • Malahide Castle
    • After touring the castle, you can book a bicycle online in advance with them ((“Irish Centre for Cycling”)) and go explore for a little while. There are scenic routes towards Portmarnock and Sutton.
Two Italian Ladies
Ladies who are absolutely tickled that I’m taking their photo in Piensa, Italy. 

== 3 Days in Italy ==

DAY FOUR: FLY TO FLORENCE and EAT ALL THE APPERITIVO

  • Arrive
  • Afternoon: Walk the city, eat gelato, visit famous spots
  • Evening: Apperitivo hopping in Florence 
    • Some recommended places:
      • Signorvino near Ponte Vecchio – great food, great views – Patio overlooking the Ponte Vecchio.  Wine store, can grab a bottle to share during apperitivo.
      • il Borro tuscan bistro on Via Tornabuoni – Restaurant, scenic patio quality food and drinks.
      • Hemingway near Piazza Tasso  — drinks come with personal apperitivo plate of nibbles

Florence2

DAY 5: EXPLORE TUSCANY

  • Afternoon:
    • After tour, walk around and enjoy Florence a little more – sit in a cafe, walk up to the Piazzale Michelangelo, wander along the river.
  • Evening:
    • Dinner at IL LATINI! My all time favorite restaurant in Florence.

Ponte Vecchio

DAY SIX: ADVENTURE

Options:

  • OPTION 1: Stay in Florence and explore some more 
    • Mercato Centrale
    • Farmacia Santa Maria Novella
    • Wine Tour:
  • OPTION 2: Visit to an organic Goat Cheese Farm and Winery
    • KMZero Tours
      • Note from Feb 2019 – We did a tour with KMZero Tours and had the best day with them! We loved the personalized nature of the tour and all of the Italian artisans we got to meet – a baker, a wood-turner, a wine-maker, a chef. I can’t recommend this company enough.
  • NIGHT-TIME OPTION: Stay the night in an agroturismo on the outskirts of Florence
  • Options:
    • Villa Medicea di Lilliano:
      • medicivilla.com/ $140-$160/night for villa fit for a couple. 15 min from Florence.
    • Terre di Nano
    • La Presura
      • 20 min from Florence. http://www.lapresura.it/en/ . Prices depend on the season. Apartment 2Bed 1 Bath 70-99Euro OR 2 Bed, 1 Bath with a Private Garden 77-106 Euro.
    • Torre a Cona,
      • 30 min from Florence, Apartment for two from €100 a night

Day 7: Fly Home

 

 

Additional Research that I’m keeping handy for this trip:

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Dublin Airport à Dublin City Center

24-Hour Aircoach which runs every 10 minutes at peak times and stops through the city. 7 Euro one way. www.aircoach.ie.

Dublin –> Pisa

RyanAir : Straight Flight Dublin to Pisa 2 hrs 45 min. $55

Pisa –> Florence

As of December 2015, a new fast/fully automatic connection links Pisa Airport to Pisa Centrale train station. Once in Pisa Centrale station, the train takes around 1 – 1.5 hours to arrive in Florence and the ticket costs around €8. Check out the Trenitalia’s website for timetables. Note that the last train from Pisa Central Station to Florence is at 10:30 pm. If you’re coming from the Pisa Airport,  you can buy tickets in the arrivals hall at Pisa Airport.

RESTAURANTS AND EXTRA INFO

Da Ruggero (Via Senese 89, +39 055 220542), near the Boboli Gardens, is known for its ribollita and farinata con cavolo nero, a thick kale soup.  Its pappardelle alla lepre is recommended.

Trattoria Sostanza (Via del Porcellana, 25/R, +39 055 212691) opened in 1869, and still feels historic.  In central Florence, is Natalino,  a 120-year-old family-run restaurant, (+39 055 289404).

Bagno Vignoni is a village known for its hot springs. You can buy a half-day pass at Hotel Posta Marcucci and enjoy the warm thermal waters with views of the countryside. Dinner is recommended at La Parata.  For accommodation,  La Locanda del Loggiato, a comfortable B&B, is recommended and is said to have a great breakfast.

Torre a Cona, a small collection of apartments and farmhouses, is just half an hour from Florence. Highlights include a beautiful 18th-century villa surrounded by pretty olive groves and vineyards. You’re able to tour the historic cellars followed by food, wine and olive oil tasting. They also provide cooking classes – learn to make delicious pasta and tiramisu.

  • Apartment for two from €100/night

Wine Tour:  Sant’Agnese Farm in Castellina, in Chianti. Sample chianti and eat a lunch which includes 30-year-old balsamic vinegar on vanilla ice-cream. Also a possibility is the farm’s one-day cooking class to learn how to make fresh pasta, breads and desserts.

Villa Poggio di Gaville: This  18th-century hillside villa was transformed into an agriturismo by chef Jamal Amin, who gives Tuscan cooking classes. The villa is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves to tour, a farmhouse with its own lake to take a dip in, and close proximity to Florence.

  • Doubles from €125/night

Day Trip to San Gimignano: Enjoy the Tuscan scenery without the crowds by getting out into the hills on foot. San Gimignano is often full of tourists, but from the I Torri waymarked trail, which starts at Porta San Giovanni, the views back to the medieval towers are fantastic. Maps are available from the tourist office in Piazza Duomo, and pick up all the fixins for a picnic and then head off on the path and choose your picnic spot among the olive groves, vines and wildflower meadows that line the route.

++ OPTION FOR DAY TRIP

Idea 1: San Gimignano + Agroturismo

  • Breakfast in Florence, late morning 1.5 hour bus ride to San Gimignano to stay in an Agroturismo there for the night
    • GuardaStelle Agroturismo
      • 15 min walk to town of San Gimignano
      • Vineyards/Winery on property, Breakfast included
      • 130 Euro/night, guardastelle.com
    • Getting from Florence to San Gimignano is best by bus with one change. (90 min trip)

http://mikestravelguide.com/florence-to-san-gimignano-to-siena-getting-there/

Country Kildare:

++Stay one night @ Barberstown Castle in County Kildare (1 hour from Dublin by car, 30-45 min by train), B&B ($145/each a night)

++Enjoy local pubs in towns nearby?

 

 

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