Italy
Renting a classic car is a great way to explore Tuscany's countryside and beautiful wine roads.
One of the most scenic train journeys you can go on is the train whick links the beautiful Italian cities of Florence and Venice. The first wonderful surprise is the magnificent train station at Florence, a building of architectural worth and beauty in its own right. Get there early for the train and have a snack in the cafeteria while drinking in the rococo decor.
The train itself is superbly clean with comfortable seats and ticket inspectors with stylish uniforms. It feels like a 1960's Italian movie. The scenery is worth watching, no need to take a book to read on this journey. The excitement of arriving in Venice is hard to describe, look forward to walking from the station to the Piazza San Marco (try to arrive just before dusk to see the full magnificence of one of the world's most perfect scenes.......)
Budget airlines fly into Pisa - don't bother with the bus, the road is usually very busy into Florence. Get the train, there's a station at Pisa airport with regular trains to Florence; or go to Pisa Central where there are even more trains to Florence and it's cheaper.
The best way to see a lot of Tuscany cheaply and quickly is by using the very reliable TrenItalia services.
First class tickets are only a fraction more expensive and you get a glimpse of another side of life in Italy. The best bit is that everyone talks to everyone, whether they know each other or not!
This bus runs from Pisa airport to Florence SMN station and is much faster than the train.
Its bay is right in front of the airport exit, but most people will show you where it is.
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