Tastes & Textiles: Woad & Wool
Travel planning
If you're flying from outside Europe, I suggest you arrive a couple of days early to recover from jet lag so you can fully enjoy your time with us.
If you're flying from outside Europe, I suggest you arrive a couple of days early to recover from jet lag so you can fully enjoy your time with us.
Travel: meeting point on 16 May 2025 | 15 May 2026
Arezzo train station no later than 1 pm
Arezzo train station no later than 1 pm
Getting to Arezzo (train times may change slightly from year to year)
Sapori & Saperi Adventures is not licensed to book flights for you. If you’re coming from outside Europe, I recommend the following possibilities:
Train timetables can be found at:
I recommend you buy your ticket ahead of time so you’re not nervous on the day of travel. You can buy it on the Trenitalia website (which is a bit complicated). It's better to use either the Trenitalia app or Trenit! app on your phone so you have a digital ticket on your phone and don’t have to keep track of pieces of paper.
Sapori & Saperi Adventures is not licensed to book flights for you. If you’re coming from outside Europe, I recommend the following possibilities:
- Fly to Rome Fiumicino airport. There is a train from the airport to Roma Termini station in the centre of Rome. From there you can get a direct train to Arezzo (latest train to arrive in time 10.22 am–12.50 pm, no changes).
- Fly to Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport. Take the tramvia to Santa Maria Novella station in the centre of Florence. From there you can get a direct train to Arezzo (latest train to arrive in time 11.18 am–12.50 pm, no changes).
- Fly to Milan Malpensa airport (not recommended). The only train that will get you to Arezzo in time is at 7.42 am with changes at Milano Centrale and Florence Santa Maria Novella, arriving at Arezzo at 12.16 pm. If you must fly to Milan, then you also must arrive at least a day early.
Train timetables can be found at:
- https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
- Free app: Trenit!
I recommend you buy your ticket ahead of time so you’re not nervous on the day of travel. You can buy it on the Trenitalia website (which is a bit complicated). It's better to use either the Trenitalia app or Trenit! app on your phone so you have a digital ticket on your phone and don’t have to keep track of pieces of paper.
Check with me before booking your travel
To avoid inconvenient transfers to stations and airports, I suggest you check your travel plans with me before confirming them. If you have to arrive or depart at places and times other than those designated for the tour, a taxi can be arranged at your own expense.
To avoid inconvenient transfers to stations and airports, I suggest you check your travel plans with me before confirming them. If you have to arrive or depart at places and times other than those designated for the tour, a taxi can be arranged at your own expense.
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What to do if you arrive a day or two early
If you want to arrive a couple of days early (which I strongly recommend), here are some easy possibilities:
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What to do if you arrive early in Milan
If you fly to Milan, you will have to arrive at least one day early. I recommend you proceed straight to Arezzo to collapse for one night there (see list of hotels below). If you arrive a couple of days or more early, here are some possibilities:
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Hotels near train station in Arezzo
This is a list of accommodation of various levels in Arezzo supplied by someone who lives there, and some recommended by clients. I haven’t tried any of them.
Hotel Continentale (4-star)
Piazza Guido Monaco, 7
Arezzo
3 minute walk to station
Recommended by local and several clients. Family owned, quaint.
Borgomaestro B&B
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 80
Arezzo
5 minute walk to station
Recommended by fastidious client: clean, modern, helpful owner. But be sure to ask how to open the door.
Allegra Toscana B&B, affittacamere
Corso Italia, 114 (each room is at a different address but most are on Corso Italia)
Arezzo
8 minute walk to station
NB breakfast is extra
La Corte del Re
Via Borgunto, 5
Arezzo
12 minute walk to station
This is a list of accommodation of various levels in Arezzo supplied by someone who lives there, and some recommended by clients. I haven’t tried any of them.
Hotel Continentale (4-star)
Piazza Guido Monaco, 7
Arezzo
3 minute walk to station
Recommended by local and several clients. Family owned, quaint.
Borgomaestro B&B
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 80
Arezzo
5 minute walk to station
Recommended by fastidious client: clean, modern, helpful owner. But be sure to ask how to open the door.
Allegra Toscana B&B, affittacamere
Corso Italia, 114 (each room is at a different address but most are on Corso Italia)
Arezzo
8 minute walk to station
NB breakfast is extra
La Corte del Re
Via Borgunto, 5
Arezzo
12 minute walk to station
Hotel in Florence near Santa Maria Novella Station
This is the central train station in Florence. Trains depart and arrive from all major cities in Italy. The tram (tramvia) to the airport also departs from here. It’s an easy walk to the major sites in Florence.
Club Hotel
Via Santa Caterina da Siena, 11
Florence
5 minute walk to the station
Highly recommended by a demanding client who has stayed there several times.
This is the central train station in Florence. Trains depart and arrive from all major cities in Italy. The tram (tramvia) to the airport also departs from here. It’s an easy walk to the major sites in Florence.
Club Hotel
Via Santa Caterina da Siena, 11
Florence
5 minute walk to the station
Highly recommended by a demanding client who has stayed there several times.
Hotel in Bologna near Bologna Centrale Station
Hotel Il Guercino
Via Luigi Serra, 7
Bologna
5 minute walk to station
I have stayed here many times.
A big advantage is the excellent restaurant next door: Trattoria di Via Serra (only open for dinner)
and another snackier one open for lunch and dinner in the same street: La Vecchia Bottega
Hotel Il Guercino
Via Luigi Serra, 7
Bologna
5 minute walk to station
I have stayed here many times.
A big advantage is the excellent restaurant next door: Trattoria di Via Serra (only open for dinner)
and another snackier one open for lunch and dinner in the same street: La Vecchia Bottega
Travel: departure on 26 May 2025 | 25 May 2026
Arezzo train station at about 1.00 pm.
If you need to travel earlier, we will arrive in Arezzo at about 10.30 am from where you can catch a train, but you will miss the fascinating visit to the art restoration studio.
Arezzo train station at about 1.00 pm.
If you need to travel earlier, we will arrive in Arezzo at about 10.30 am from where you can catch a train, but you will miss the fascinating visit to the art restoration studio.
Weather & clothing
You’re probably wondering about the weather and what you should pack. It’s really difficult to advise, because the usual weather patterns have changed so much. In general, I expect it to be warm during the day (18–22˚C/65–70˚F) and quite chilly at night (8–12˚C/47–55˚F). It's not unusual for it to rain in May. I generally advise people to bring layers, a light raincoat and comfortable shoes. Also mosquito repellent (although usually mosquitoes aren't a problem in May). Toiletries and hairdryers are provided.
There's an unheated swimming pool at Terra di Michelangelo (the second place we stay) and at Villa Catarsena (the third and last place we stay). At Villa Catarsena, there's a washing machine for the use of guests.
Other considerations when packing:
If you’d like to check the weather nearer your day of departure, here’s the website I use: www.ilmeteo.it/meteo/Arezzo. It’s Italian and is generally fairly accurate, but not more than 3 or 4 days in advance.
You’re probably wondering about the weather and what you should pack. It’s really difficult to advise, because the usual weather patterns have changed so much. In general, I expect it to be warm during the day (18–22˚C/65–70˚F) and quite chilly at night (8–12˚C/47–55˚F). It's not unusual for it to rain in May. I generally advise people to bring layers, a light raincoat and comfortable shoes. Also mosquito repellent (although usually mosquitoes aren't a problem in May). Toiletries and hairdryers are provided.
There's an unheated swimming pool at Terra di Michelangelo (the second place we stay) and at Villa Catarsena (the third and last place we stay). At Villa Catarsena, there's a washing machine for the use of guests.
Other considerations when packing:
- There are tempting things to buy made by our artisans. Think about leaving space in your suitcase or bring an extra small suitcase for purchases. If desperate while on the tour, there's a shop at Bibbiena we can stop at where you can buy an inexpensive bag.
If you’d like to check the weather nearer your day of departure, here’s the website I use: www.ilmeteo.it/meteo/Arezzo. It’s Italian and is generally fairly accurate, but not more than 3 or 4 days in advance.
Cash
A few places don't take credit cards. There are ATMs everywhere. The safest way to travel is to bring a debit card with a PIN and to draw out small amounts at a time. Banks do not change currency.
A few places don't take credit cards. There are ATMs everywhere. The safest way to travel is to bring a debit card with a PIN and to draw out small amounts at a time. Banks do not change currency.
