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Where to travel in Europe from Florence?
So, this will be my fourth trip to Florence and throughout Europe but there is still so much to see. I'm in Italy starting September 1st to December 21st for the whole semester. I've seen Venice, Rome, Montepulchiano, Sienna, Sorrento, Pompeii, London, Paris and some of Northern Tuscany. I want to do Amsterdam, Prague, Cinque Terra, and of course OKTOBERFEST. Please please give me your European must sees while I am there. No place is too far if it really takes your breath away. Give as many suggestions as you want, I love culture, great food, beautiful architecture, green landscape, and flea markets/ trading posts are my drug of choice.
Thank you so much!!
If you want to go to Oktoberfest by train, make your reservations soon. The discounted prices go on sale soon and won't last long. I go every year from my home near Verona and the trains are very full. The night trains are an excellent way to get to either Paris or Munich from Florence.
You'll be here when the Christmas markets are open. There's a nice one in Florence in an ex-train station, but I would highly recommend going to Bolzano and Trento. Vienna is also a good destination with a convenient night train. The Christmas market there is also really good, but anytime during your trip would be good. Another Christmas market to consider is Copenhagen. I basically cycle between one of Prague, Vienna, and Copenhagen and always make it to the Italian markets.
Consider San Miniato during November - it's a small hill town near Pisa with an excellent truffle fair during three weekends. You can get there on the train from Florence. In October, the Eurochocolate festival in Perugia is great. The first Sunday, there is traditionally a contest featuring a number of professional sculptors creating artworks from big blocks of chocolate. The bystanders get the shavings. There's also a checkers competition where you can eat the pieces you capture. A part of the exhibitions are in old 14th century buildings that are now underground.
Prague is a great destination. Take enough time there for a day trip to Cesky Krumlov and possibly another to Karlstejn Castle. Budapest is also a great choice.
If you've got the time, you might consider visiting Eze near Nice. There are spectacular views from the agave & sculpture garden in the high town and the medieval city is interesting.
As for flea markets, all towns here in Italy have an antiquaria at least once a month. Where I live, it's the 2nd Sunday of the month. The months leading up to Christmas tend to have more vendors.
