Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, an open-air museum that attracts millions of visitors every year. Walking in the shadow of Brunelleschi’s Dome, crossing the Ponte Vecchio, or admiring Michelangelo’s David are life-changing experiences.

However, there is a flip side that many tourist guides fail to mention: staying directly in the historic center of Florence, especially during the high season, can be incredibly stressful. Between the chaos, the summer heat trapped between the stone palaces, the impossibility of parking your car, and the exorbitant prices, the “dream vacation” risks turning into an obstacle course.

This is where the true strategy of the savvy traveler comes into play: choosing a home base in the Tuscan countryside and visiting the city on a day trip. By staying at Villa Le Torri in Montespertoli, you are only about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the center of Florence. You will have the luxury of enjoying Renaissance art by day, and then escaping the hustle and bustle to take refuge in the absolute quiet of our hills by night.

But how do you organize the perfect trip without running into fines or stress? Here is our ultimate guide.

1. How to Get to Florence (and the ZTL Nightmare)

The center of Florence is almost entirely a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato – Limited Traffic Zone) monitored by unforgiving cameras. Entering it by mistake means receiving a hefty fine sent directly to your home, even months later. The secret is to not even attempt driving near the center. Starting from Montespertoli, you have two incredibly convenient options:

The Local Secret: The “Villa Costanza” Park & Ride This is by far the smartest solution if you have a rental car. Driving from Villa Le Torri, you can reach the “Villa Costanza” parking lot, which has a unique feature in Italy: you access it directly from the A1 Highway without even having to exit the toll booths into the city traffic. You park your car comfortably, pay a very affordable daily rate, and hop on the Tramway (Line T1). In just 20 minutes, bypassing all the city traffic, the tram will drop you off at the Santa Maria Novella station, in the exact heart of the historic center.

The Train Option (from Empoli or Castelfiorentino) If you prefer to leave your car closer to “home,” you can drive about 15 minutes to the nearby train stations of Empoli or Castelfiorentino. From here, there are very frequent trains that take you directly to the central station of Florence (Firenze S.M.N.) in 30-40 minutes. You will travel seated, reading your guidebook, without worrying in the slightest about navigating the roads.

2. A 1-Day Itinerary: What Not to Miss

Arriving at the Santa Maria Novella Station, you will have Florence at your feet. Since you can’t see everything in one day, we recommend an optimized itinerary to avoid unnecessary rushing:

• Morning – Art and Architecture: Start by admiring the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella right outside the station. Proceed to Piazza del Duomo: the sight of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery will leave you breathless. If you plan to visit the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia Gallery (to see the real David), remember that booking tickets online well in advance is absolutely mandatory, otherwise you will lose hours standing in line.

• Lunch Break – True Street Food or the Oltrarno: Avoid the restaurants with photographic “tourist menus” around the Duomo. Look for a local vinaino (wine shop/deli) for a classic sandwich made with schiacciata (Tuscan flatbread) stuffed with finocchiona salami and pecorino cheese. Or, head towards the San Lorenzo district to taste the highly traditional Lampredotto sandwich.

• Afternoon – The River and the Views: Stroll through Piazza della Signoria, a true outdoor art gallery, and then cross the Arno River by walking on the iconic Ponte Vecchio, admiring the historic goldsmith shops. Once you reach the other side of the river (the Oltrarno district), explore the narrow artisan streets around Palazzo Pitti.

• Sunset (Optional): If you still have energy, climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo. A steep walk awaits you, but the view of Florence from above, bathed in the colors of the sunset, is a memory you will carry in your heart forever.

3. The Luxury of Returning to Villa Le Torri

After walking for miles on the cobblestones of Florence, filling your eyes with masterpieces, and being surrounded by thousands of people, the best moment of the day arrives.

You catch your tram or train back and, in an instant, you leave the concrete of the city behind to rediscover the greenery of Chianti. Returning to your apartment at Villa Le Torri means completely unplugging. You can take a refreshing shower, prepare a relaxing dinner in your own kitchen without having to book crowded restaurants, or simply sit in the garden in the silence of the Tuscan countryside.

Visiting the city is wonderful, but having a peaceful haven to return to is the true luxury of a modern vacation.

👉 Are you ready to plan your visit? Discover our apartments and book your ideal Tuscan home base.