4 nights in Florence with day trips to Cinque / Tuscany countryside or split nights?

If it were me and to reduce back and forth travel, I would split between those locations. Give Florence two full days, then head to Cinque Tierre.
I would try to add a day somehow...but that would depend on how you want to spend your time. While in Florence, folks always enjoy a day trip to Sienna. That can chew up a whole day.
In Cinque Tierre, it is possible to visit each town in one busy day, but that will be quite rushed. Walking the trails that connect the towns is very enjoyable, but if you decide to use the trains, they are immediately available.

Ashley, looking back at your previous posts, it looks like Florence is your airport of arrival? From the. U.S.? If so, 4 nights realistically gives you 3 FULL sightseeing days and 1 partial, potentially jet-lagged one (arrival day.) We're all different but IMHO, switching hotel locations eats time; it's easier to unpack once and day trip without having to deal with what to do with the bags, the packing/unpacking/checking-in-and-out stuff.

There is also a great deal to see in Firenze, if what she has to offer appeals to you; two day trips elsewhere would only leave one 1 full sightseeing day + few potentially jet-lagged hours to cover ground. That's not a lot but we also don't know what you and your Dad's interests are? Can you tell us more?

Keep in mind as well that not all of Florence's attractions are open every day of the week - for instance, Italian state museums are closed on Mondays - so you don't want that one full day to be the one that you find what's on the must-see list closed up tight! :O)

Thank you! You’re right- I need to reduce so we aren’t so rushed and can rest too. Would you recommend a day trip to Cinque or Tuscany’s countryside— knowing we have Switzerland to follow?

May be personal preference but I do value the suggestions!

Thanks again!

Kathy covered many of the suggestions I would have made. With such a very short time in Florence, plus the aspect of getting over jet lag, I don't think you have time to take day trips to both the Cinque Terre and Tuscany, which is large area with lots of possible sightseeing destinations.

I can tell you from personal experience that a day trip to the Cinque Terre from Florence is a long and tiring day. Therefore a visit to Siena might be a better option, as you can get there relatively quickly using either bus or train. The bus is often a better option as it drops passengers in the main part of town, rather than at the bottom of the hill where the rail station is located.

Also as mentioned above, there's lots to see in Florence so you may not have time for many day trips. You may want to buy a copy of the current RS Italy guidebook so that you can figure out sightseeing options that appeal to you.

One other thing that occurred to me is that it might be a better use of your time to skip Montreaux and use the extra day in Florence. Staying one night is often not worthwhile as it only allows a few nights for sightseeing, once the transportation times are taken into account.

Yes, I would stay all 4 nights in Florence with om day trip, as there is a lot to experience in Florence. There is a good tour company Walk About Florence that offers an all day Tuscany bus tour that will take you to three of the more popular towns, including Pisa and also includes lunch at an organic winery, at a really great price. There are also other companies that offer just winery tours from Florence.

CT from Florence is simply not a good idea. There is too much travel time involved. If you want to go there, you should plan to stay there.
As I had previously mentioned, Sienna is a better/more manageable day trip from Florence. Take the bus from the South end of the terminal. Reserve the night before.
And....to each their own WRT Florence. Personally, it quickly exceeds my tolerance for all things Renaissance. A few days there is plenty for me.