4 days in and around Florence- Tuscan hill towns to visit?

Posted by Chris (Windsor, CA) on 05/25/10 09:17 AM

I'm planning on being in the Florence area for 4 days, in between a trip to Venice and Rome. Any recommendations on what to do with those 4 days? I'd like to keep travel and stress to a relative minimum, before the chaos of Rome. Initially I was thinking Florence for 2 nights and then maybe san gimignano for the other 2 or maybe even Cortona?

Is there anything else I should make a point to check out? Also, how are the travel options from Florence to these locations? And from these locations to Rome (or would I go back to Florence, then down to Rome)?

Thank you in advance for all the info and help. It's greatly appreciated.

Posted by Denise

Lake Forest, CA, USA

05/25/10 11:32 AM

1633 posts

Chris, do you plan on driving or taking the train in and around Florence?

Posted by Chris OP

Windsor, CA

05/25/10 11:49 AM

31 posts

I wont have a car, so all the travel will either be via train or bus. Although, I guess I could rent a car for a day or two.

Posted by Denise

Lake Forest, CA, USA

05/25/10 02:10 PM

1633 posts

It sounds like you have a total of 4 days for Florence and a hilltown. Two of those days spent in Florence would be good. Then, as you said, you can take the train from Florence to Cortona (little over an hour). There is no train route into San Gimignano--you would have to rent a car. You could spend two nights in Cortona--check Rick's 2010 Tour Book of Italy for lodging and things to see/do. Or, you could spend one day & night there and then head to Orvieto (1 hr by train) and spend a day & night there. We really enjoyed Orvieto 2 yrs ago--small & quaint. Then train into Rome (little over an hr.) the next day. Because your train rides to these towns are short, you could easily split your days between the two towns--just to break it up a bit and see more. Check this website for train schedules: http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

Posted by Chris OP

Windsor, CA

05/25/10 02:15 PM

31 posts

Hi Denise,
Thanks for the reply. I think I read in Steves book that buses run pretty regularly from Florence to San Gimignano? Would it be worth it to bus into SG for the 2 nights, then back to Florence to catch the train to Rome? I realize it's the opposite direction of where we are heading, but wondering if SG is worth seeing or if Cortona is equally as nice (probably less tourists as well). I'll also have to look into the other town you mentioned. Thanks again for the feedback.