7 Nights to Spend in Florence, Siena & Assisi

I would spend 4 nights in Florence and 3 in Assisi. Take a day trip to Siena from Florence. Much less hassle changing lodging so often in 7 nights.

I do not think you need a rental car. Pisa and Siena are easy enough by train as is the trip from Florence to Assisi.

If you do want to do an agriturismo a car is required as you'll be out in the country.

Also, if you're going to Pisa, you might want to continue on to Lucca for the day. It is much more interesting than Pisa, IMO.
Siena is a quick bus ride from Florence.
Perugia is a quick day trip from Assisi.

but have 7 nights to spend before coming home (flying into and out of
Rome)

Many of us recommend staying close to the city of departure the night before to reduce any potential snags in transport and eliminate possible 0'dark-thirty rise-and-shines. Personally? I wouldn't want to be in Assisi the morning of a flight from Rome but that's just me.

Aside from that I'd go with 4 nights in Florence and 3 in another location.

We want to visit Assiai as well as Orvieto, Spoleto and Perugia. I am aware that all can be reached by Train.

We would likely stay in Rome for a few days, then do the other cities. Should we use rail or rent a car?

Thank you all for your thoughts. Kathy, I don't relish the thought of being out of Rome on the morning of our return flight but I'm waffling since our flight isn't until 11:40. Still, will probably make it back to Rome for the last evening. Staying in one place and day tripping by train/bus seems much more logical. However, that doesn't allow us a chance at seeing the countryside. Just trying to squeeze in as much sightseeing as we can with the time we have.

Florence can work as a few days trips or at most, one or two nights. There is much to see,but not so charmng, noisy and traffic.
I vote Orvierto too, small, quiet, locals on the streets, very sweet and Venice, especially if you stay outside of busy areas, we stayed near the hospital and it was very quiet,yet still in walking distance to everything
Sienna was great for a night, I don't think you need more. Its tiring,but worth hopping around a bit. We didn't stay in countryside,but if you don't mind the hassle, I would rent in the countryside or a hillside town and do day trips...we didnt,but I think that's what I'd do if I could do it over.

IMO Assisi has much more to offer than Orvieto and worth the effort to go there. You may be sorry you did not spend an entire week.

Florence is plenty charming, but an apartment away from the Duomo area is a good idea for feeling more local and being less in the midst of the throngs.

Both are much quieter than Rome!

By the way, have you thought of going to Florence first, then Assisi before Rome, making Rome your last stop? Avoids that problem of where to spend the last night.

By the way, have you thought of going to Florence first, then Assisi
before Rome, making Rome your last stop? Avoids that problem of where
to spend the last night.

This is a really good solution to the distance-from-airport caution.

What I meant by suggesting you go to Florence first is to put your time in Rome last in the itinerary.

Land in Rome ( this presumes you land early in the day) and take a train right to Florence. There are a couple of trains each day from FCO direct to Florence, or you can take the Leonardo Exoress or a taxi to Termini and go on to Florence from there if the direct trains do not coincide with your arrival.

After tour time in Florence, move to Assisi, then spend your final 6 nights in Rome.

FYI, I always think of two nights as one full day of sightseeing. By the time you arrive in Assisi (or anywhere) it will be after lunch (at least) giving you a few hours. Then one full day. Your departure day you have to check out by 10 (usually) and will want to be on your way so 2 night in Assisi barely gives you time to scratch the surface and no time to day trip to Perugia. By going to Florence first, you free up a 3rd night for Assisi.

Makes sense! Thanks.

Can you listen to another voice about Assisi? I am there every year (this will be year 15) as director of a 2 week music festival. I am a different and better person for each year's experience. The beauty of the buildings, the churches, the piazzas, the views up and down the mountain are unmatched IMO (and I spend another month and a half travelling around Italy every year). During the day the tourists hit the main streets basically from Santa Chiara through the Piazza Comune and down to San Francesco. There are alleys above and below this main tourist path that are far more peaceful and loaded with surprises - the flower boxes on the houses, the views of the valley over the wall on your left and the views up the mountain on your right. This city is clean, these areas are quiet, these residents (nuns, priests, brothers, lay people) are open hearted and oh so friendly. Little shops that cater to the locals have wonderful things for snacks, sandwiches, wines, gifts.

The city is safe at all times. A late night walk brings out a magic that almost guarantees a good night's sleep. Our (there are about 60 of us in the festival) favorite is to go from our hotel (Sole) near Santa Chiara, cross the Piazza Comune and take the road to the right up the hill. It comes down near an ancient Roman gate. If you take a U turn you'll see the Basilica San Francesco - walk down there (at night it is lit up and so beautiful - I keep a picture of it in my studio for the peace it brings me). At the corner of the Basilica's front yard, turn left and head back up along shops (amazing art, gelato and local crafts) to the Piazza Comune. Yes, it's uphill both directions! (Who needs a gym?). Stop in the Piazza for a cool drink. On weekends there may be groups of teenagers singing, dancing and making all kinds of noise that will only bring a smile to your heart. The rest of the time there may just be a few people relaxing and that can be enough. Our (yes, it's pretty much a daily tradition) favorite: campari and orange juice. Food here is pretty much Umbrian Slow Cooking. Take your time . . . you really don't have anything more important to do (we try telling ourselves that but then we remember there is a concert to give). The air here is clean. The stars and moon are touchable. The people are genuinely welcoming - this is not a tourist trap city.

Sorry, I've gone on enough. Can you tell I'm planning this year's festival (July 2 -16 if anyone is around then!). People who have been to Assisi will understand when I say "this is where I like me the best." I hope you discover that spirit of St. Francis for yourselves when you visit!

You've all been so kind with your suggestions and my travel companion and I have come to the conclusion that we will take your advice and start in Florence. It does make so much sense to organize it that way. It will make for a long 24 hours of travel, but makes sense. The things we want to do while we are there are just wishes at the moment. Once we get there, we can make decisions as we go. Maybe we won't take some day trips and stay put, but at least we'll have the option and will have made the most efficient use of our time.

Thank you for the beautiful description of Assisi, Robert. I'm now so intrigued by that little town that I can see it in my mind's eye. If you have a suggestion for lodging, please pass that along too. I had originally thought of and booked Hotel Ideal (last year we had to cancel due to a family illness) and was going to try them again. But if you have any other suggestions, we're open to them. Same goes for Florence and Rome. My travel companion and I are older and will definitely need air conditioning and elevators past the first floor, so keep that in mind.

Thanks again to all.

Thanks for putting up with my gushing about Assisi! I do it alot. We stay at Hotel Sole which is right next to the Basilica Santa Chiara and maybe 1/2 block to Piazza Comune. This is a no-frills place, family owned for way over a century. We have put people in other hotels in the city, never had a bad review but 'staying like a local' wins out every time. There are 2 buildings - ask to stay across the street from the main building . . . that has an elevator. Be specific about air conditioning - not all rooms have it. There is a veranda with the most beautiful views in every direction. The restaurant is my favorite in Assisi. Real food. If you stay there tell them Robert (from Assisi Performing Arts) says 'hello.' I'll be there July 2nd. For 15 years now I've been in the same room (sorry, top floor, no elevator, but a private balcony and huge picture window). The owners and the staff always greet me with "Roberto, welcome home!" Does it get better than that?

Sorry, In Rome and Florence I get an apartment (vrbo is my favorite). Much more comfortable, convenient and allows me to make good use of the local markets. A washing machine is a must! For me the evenings in Siena (after seeing the Duomo and the nearby museums) are very special. It 's a wonderful area to walk around - especially off the main street. I couldn't imagine doing fewer than 3 or 4 nights there. In Florence make sure you get reservations for the newly re-opened Duomo Museum. I'm not a museum person (Siena, Rome's Capitaline, and this one are about it for repeat visits), I like meandering around pretty much where tourists aren't. Sigh. I have my plane ticket, all my hotel and apartment reservations. Is it too early to pack? Enjoy your trip!

I have another recommendation -- instead of staying in Assisi I suggest staying in nearby Spello, a lovely, much less crowded hill town about 7 miles from Assisi. On June 3 is the annual Infiorata - a festival in which the townspeople create the most beautiful designs (artwork really) from fresh flower petals. The residents, from kids to the elderly, stay up till the wee hours working with the flowers. I was there in 2015 and highly recommend La Bastiglia, a beautiful small hotel at top of town; it has an outdoor terrace where you have breakfast, and a small pool. I walked to Assisi one morning, much of it through olive groves, then late in day took train back. Even if you can't be there for the festival I still recommend staying there.

Robert, is the music festival open to the public?