We have an apartment in Florence for a week in October . I have been there before and want to revisit the wonderful sites and see some new ones as well. My question is, how many day trips to take from Florence and to where? I know its personal preference but I would like other thoughts. we have a wine tour scheduled for one day. Would you also take an overnight in Cinque Terre (I'd rather do that than make it a day trip) and see Pisa and Lucca on the way back..... thus using 3 of your Florence days in other places? Or other day trips? I would love to hear the thoughts and experiences of others facing the Florence vs day trip dilemma .
Posted by
Colorado Springs
3052 posts
If you've not yet been up to Fiesole I'd recommend that for an easy day out. The Etruscan and Roman ruins are worth a visit, as is Siena...only about an hour away.
If you're walkers and at all adventurous maybe you could hike out to Monte Ceceri where Leonardo and his crew performed the first experimental test flight back around 1508. It's about a mile and a half (as I recall) from the center of Fiesole along a pretty, level, wooded path. Good place for a picnic too.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16236 posts
I would alternate a full day in Florence and a full day out on a day trip and so on for your entire stay. I find taking consecutive day trips back to back to be tiring. Fiesole probably doesn't take more than an afternoon and an evening. It's an excellent spot for dinner and for a nightly view of Florence. Take city bus number 7 from San Marco.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
I would suggest a day bus trip ( not the train ) to Sienna.
Posted by
Oregon
650 posts
I've spent a week in Florence on two seperate occasions. Two or three day trips is a good idea.
Fisole is a nice easy half daytrip. We walked back which was pleasant.
Sienna is a full day. It's very different from Florence, much less Renaissance much more mideval. It's hilly in the tourist area and cathedral is gorgeous. Take the bus as it will get you right to the city center and the train won't.
Lucca is a other easy daytrip. It's quieter than either Sienna or Florence. Take the train. Rent bikes and go round the wall a couple times. Climb a tower and have lunch on the main square.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
An overnight in Cinque Terre would be high on my list in good weather, but probably not if you're taking time away from already-paid accommodation during possible iffy weather. (I have swum at Monterosso in October, but not without the threat of rain on some days.)
A fast train to Bologna takes only 35 minutes each way and the small, historic core is walkable from the train station. However the nearby cities of Modena and Parma are only served by slower trains, about 2 hours each way.
Posted by
10 posts
Just returned from a 2 week trip- 3 nights in Cinque Terre, 3 nights in Florence. Have previously spent time visiting hill towns in Tuscany.
It depends on how much you are into the museums/ sites in Florence. We spent one day at the Uffizi and Academia ( purchased tickets ahead of time and picked up tickets at will call- would recommend this).The next days, saw 2 minor museums. Personally would have liked 1 most days with museums, but only because I had seen hill towns. For most people, probably 2 days in Florence and a day trip to Sienna or another hill town. I think just a couple hours in Pisa is enough. I would recommend 2 days in Cinque Terre at a minimum. Focus there is hiking and views of Mediterranean. A day trip isn't enough to experience how relaxing the C.T. is. I would recommending lodging with view of Med.