However, the amount of time you spend away from Florence will probably depend on the summer heat and crowds; Florence can be a place you want to escape from when the crush is on. Florence's high prices might also be a factor in your decision whether to spend all your time in the city or begin to explore the country.

Air
There are two airports, though only one, Galileo Galilei Airport near Pisa, handles international flights; a fast train, coordinated with flights, connects with Florence (one hour). Amerigo Vespucci Airport, outside Florence in the suburb of Peretola, takes smaller domestic and charter flights.

However, one of the most convenient international arrivals to Florence is via the Rome Airport, where you are transferred onto a special train for Florence that leaves from the airport (not the city center); on your return, luggage is checked through to the plane from the train station. (At the moment, only Alitalia can book its passengers on these trains.)

Train
Nearly all the main-line trains pass through Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station, so there's no difficulty making rail connections. Florence also serves as the main hub for branch lines that run into the Tuscan hills.

Car
Midway between Milan and Rome, Tuscany is well served by toll roads: The A-12 from Genoa passes along the Ligurian coast and at Viareggio near Pisa connects with the A-11 to Florence; the A-1 from Milan to Rome has exits for Florence.

Intercity Buses
Intercity buses are abundant, but rather confusing. A number of independent companies have divvied up the territory in and around Tuscany, and there's no easy formula for figuring out which line you'll need to take. Luckily, all the bus companies have offices just outside the train station; call or stop by and their information staff will help you get sorted out. In general, however, S.I.T.A. buses run south to Siena and San Gimignano; LAZZI buses run east to Lucca and Pisa.