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Best Day Trips from Florence

Posted by critter01 on 03/12/24 05:33 PM

We are headed to Florence for a week in June (three generations, from very active 75 to very active 12). Basing in Florence and I'm already planning on one day to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. Where should do go for our second day trip, a more active day and a break from all of the churches and museums?

I originally planned to go to Cinque Terre but it seems like SUCH a long drive for a day. I'd be happy to be talked out of that decision though! No one is very interested in wine so that cuts out a lot. We also love to be active so anything involving hikes or long walks would win.

I welcome any ideas! Thank you in advance!

Posted by Kathy

Minnesota 🎒

03/12/24 05:50 PM

16623 posts

How about Lucca? Your crew could stroll the historic city walls:
https://www.turismo.lucca.it/lucca/le-mura-di-lucca
https://bewitchedbyitaly.com/walking-walls-of-lucca.html

By the quickest, no-changes train choice, it's abt 90 minutes from Florence.

Posted by Katherine

Atlanta, GA, USA

03/12/24 05:51 PM

795 posts

If the weather is nice, a visit to Lucca is good to ride bikes around the tops of the city walls. That usually only is an hour though, depending on how long/far you want to ride (I can do a leisurely pace once and a faster pace a second time for the hour). Are you already going to have a car? There might be some hikes or even some hot springs to go visit nearby?

Posted by Mary

Massachusetts

03/12/24 05:52 PM

1106 posts

Here are some previous discussion on the topic:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/day-trips-near-florence

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/day-trip-from-florence-with-kids-teen

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/day-trip-from-florence-chianti-lucca-other-idea

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/day-trip-from-florence-to-pisa-or-livorno

Posted by mont3589

03/13/24 07:42 PM

171 posts

Even though your group may not be into wine, there are several wineries in beautiful old Medieval castles & an ancient abbey in the Chianti area south of Florence, might be nice just to explore some of them. Here's a map of 9...

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UqKGavj1nst4FVD39

Posted by RailRider

Los Angeles, CA

03/14/24 01:44 AM

700 posts

Montepulciano, Volterra, Cortona, Orvieto, Assisi. All within easy driving distance is also the big lake where Hannibal ambushed the Roman Legion.

Some of these other places like Luca and CT are way too far away. Just go to those places next time. In fact, I’m not even sure how close you can get to those places with a car. All built a narrow Rocky ravines without much car traffic.

Posted by Mack

Adams Basin

03/14/24 12:41 PM

564 posts

Do I correctly understand that you plan to visit Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni in one day? Goodness. That's hopefully not the case.
I would start with Siena as a one day visit and then plan your second day elsewhere. San Gimignano and Monteriggioni on the same day could be made to work.
If you are driving, as you suggest you are, plan ahead for where to park. Parking is a precious commodity in these popular locals.

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