I did this last summer and I very much enjoyed it, pal. Did Rome first but then fast train north to Florence. You’ll need a few days here to soak up the sights and culture and to eat steak and gelato and drink wine. Also did a city cycle tour which was pleasant. Siena is very nice but I think it’s day trip more than anything. I seemed to climb a lot of bell towers and church roofs in Florence and Siena. I took this photo from the hills overlooking Florence on the far side of the river while on my cycle. Very nice.
[ATTACH=full]2197[/ATTACH]
Rented a car then and the good lady drove us south from Florence into the Tuscan countryside. This was my favourite part of the trip. We went through the Chianti region and @The Selfish Giant 's agriturismo suggestion is a good one. We stayed in one just outside San Gimignano and walked an old dirt track up the hill into the town. A stunning place. We visited a vineyard and did a wine tour here too if you’re into that sort of thing.
[ATTACH=full]2196[/ATTACH]
We went to other small places like Volterra too when looping back up to Pisa in West Tuscany. I wouldn’t recommend Pisa - it’s seemed a bit drab and dirty after the beautiful countryside we’d travelled from. Not much to see aside from the area with the tower and cathedral.
But then we continued on to some cool places near Pisa itself and close to the coast like Lucca - very picturesque - before hitting Viareggio. The latter is on the coast, has the beaches and it’s apparently popular with the rich and famous. Andrea Pirlo resides here in the summer. I thought it was a splendid place.
[ATTACH=full]2198[/ATTACH]
“Viareggio is where I was born and it’s where I will die.”
Main highlights were Florence itself, the mid-Tuscan countryside and beautiful hilltop towns like San Gimignano and Volterra and then Viareggio for some beach/sea at the end.
Are you bringing the children, pal? They might get restless exploring the countryside but I really liked that part.
[QUOTE=“Bandage, post: 1073065, member: 9”]I did this last summer and I very much enjoyed it, pal. Did Rome first but then fast train north to Florence. You’ll need a few days here to soak up the sights and culture and to eat steak and gelato and drink wine. Also did a city cycle tour which was pleasant. Siena is very nice but I think it’s day trip more than anything. I seemed to climb a lot of bell towers and church roofs in Florence and Siena. I took this photo from the hills overlooking Florence on the far side of the river while on my cycle. Very nice.
Main highlights were Florence itself, the mid-Tuscan countryside and beautiful hilltop towns like San Gimignano and Volterra and then Viareggio for some beach/sea at the end.
Are you bringing the children, pal? They might get restless exploring the countryside but I really liked that part.[/QUOTE]
thanks @Bandage, signora CCHA & myself + two teenagers.
@balbec, the ball is in in your court now and it needs to be a good shot.
[QUOTE=“The Selfish Giant, post: 1073066, member: 80”]guys, just want to say its a great thread
I love helping you out but I also love the info provided in fantastic posts such as Bandages last 1[/QUOTE]
It was thanks to you, @Il Bomber Destro[/USER] and others I had such a lovely time last year, pal. It’s nice to give something back and help out fellow holidaymakers where possible. The wheels keep turning and now it’s [USER=1537]@Horsebox coming up trumps for me on the Basque Region. You’re just a great bunch of guys.
[QUOTE=“The Big Cheese, post: 1073145, member: 1137”]Anyone ever been to Morocco?
Thinking of taking a trip to Agidir and Marrakesh[/QUOTE]
Agidir is your typical plastic package holiday spot really.
[SIZE=3]Marrakesh, Essaouira and a tour into the Atlas Mountains are worth checking out for sure. [/SIZE]
[QUOTE=“The Big Cheese, post: 1073145, member: 1137”]Anyone ever been to Morocco?
Thinking of taking a trip to Agidir and Marrakesh[/QUOTE]
What time of year, pal? Agidir is grand for a couple of quite nights and some sun off season- I imagine it is just like anywhere else in europe come summer- tho not as many thrashy night spots. Marrakesh again is nice for a two night stay- old town is great to get lost in.
I thought Essaouira was a lovely little beach town, about two hrs north of Agidir… But Morocco is all about the Mountains/Desert mate. I’d go to Marrakesh first for two nights, i’d spend 3/4/5 nights (what ever your time frame allows) travelling up the mountains and into the desert- the scenery here is magic- Real morocco. You can have your few days beach time then for the end.
If you are looking for a chilled out beach type holiday with your main squeeze- I can highly recommend Tarifa, Spain. It’s just beyond the tip of Spain and the Costa del Sol (about 1rh.20mins from Malaga airport) Real old style Andalucia town, crystal clear waters. Popular spot with kite surfers and the likes. Away from all the madness of the Costa.
Am looking for recommendations on a family friendly location within 3 hours flight of Dublin, that would have a high chance of warm weather and very little rain in the mid-end of April. I’ve tried sticking my thumb up my hole and that hasn’t worked so this thread is the natural next place to go.