Fiesole

Fiesole, a little town only 15 minutes away from the booming centre of Florence, provides the perfect get a way for an sunny afternoon. Florence is great, but especially when the days are getting warmer, you might just want to relax a little outside the city, of course with the magnificent view of the city! Take bus 7 departing at Piazza San Marco, close to the Duomo, and it will lead you directly 'up hill'. When arriving in Fiesole's beautiful square, you might just wander around for a little, there are few restaurants and shops, which show you the specialties of the little town, that gives very much the 'campania' or country side feeling. The little church is beautiful and the museum very impressive. The 'Etrusci' have surely left their marks many years ago. Howevery, if you really want to enjoy the best of Fiesole, you must take a left when you get of the bus. The little steeph road will lead you uphill, where you find the most amazing view over the city of Florence, the surroundings and Tuscany. This is la bella vita! There is a beautiful monastry right next to the end of the road, called Convento di San Francesco which is beautiful and partly in use. Right below the monastry you will find a great place relax, eat a panino or have a little picknick. Again, the great view is present, but at the other side of the hill, facing towards Tuscany's northern hills. If you would like to be served, you might just like to enjoy a lovely lunch or glass of the famous Chianti wine in the cute restaurant along the road; 'Regina degli Etrusci'. This restaurant, as well with panorama view, offers great authentic dishes and has a large glass window, so sipping from a nice prosecco or other beverage, you can take in all the beauty Florence and its countryside has to offer! If you look for a place to have a little rest from Florence and the party life, dont hesitate and spend an afternoon in the beauty of Tuscany!

Fiesole is up in the hills and the middle of nowhere. Its a big hike if you try to walk up its probably best to take the bus coz it goes direct from the centre and there’s no risk you end up with heatstroke. Once you’re there there’s not much but the view, some bar cafes but that’s about it. There’s a really small monastery that has a small exhibit and its small but there is nothing else to do up here so you may as well go to the monastery and give the monks a hello.

I walked up to Fiesole from central Florence with my best friend. It was an hour and a half, oh so exhausting, but entirely worth it. The views along the way—of vineyards, hillside estates, graffiti and the valley below—are worth forgoing the bus (though choosing to ride the bus up and walk down gives you the same views and a similar—albeit less sweaty—experience). The monastery at the top of Fiesole is tranquil, with a small museum and church, that are worth visiting if you’ve made it up that far. Sunsets here are also spectacular, especially with bottled wine and a picnic, and there are fewer mosquitoes because it’s a hilltop.