Day trip from Florence

Of those three, I've only spent time in Ravenna. It's great if you are interested in the Byzantine Empire history. Really fascinating mosaics and artifacts. It is also right by the coast so you can visit the beach if that is of interest. It's not that near Florence so would be a long day trip.

Depends on what interests you. But in general, Ravenna, Bologna, Pisa.

Bologna, Ravenna,,.....,Pisa

Skip Pisa, unless you really need that photo of you holding up the tower. Go to Siena.

Ravenna has the very beautiful mosaics (they really as great as advertised), but it's a long day trip from Florence.

I'm one of the few who didn't like Bologna, but you should see it for yourself to decide. The one thing that did make an impression on me was the view from the central tower (lots of steps). Bologna has an intact medieval street plan, and from the top of the tower you really appreciate this "bicycle wheel and spokes" layout.

I saw Lucca and Pisa in one day from Florence, in that order. That was a great day. By the time I got to Pisa, the souvenir vendors were literally packing up, the tour bus groups were leaving, and the marble in the Field of Miracles (where the Leaning Tower is) looked lovely in the afternoon light.

If you're willing to go as far from Florence as Ravenna, look into Ferrara, Parma, and Modena. All were worthwhile, especially Ferrara.

There are many beautiful options for day trips from Florence. This is just my humble opinion based on one daytrip in 2010...but Pisa would be my last choice. I'm with Suki...I like the creative use of dots. I read her post as Bologna, Ravenna, "anywhere else", Pisa. In our 14-day trip including visits to Lecco, Bellagio, Como, Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, and various other towns in Tuscany I will have to say that Pisa was the only place that we felt uncomfortable with pick-pocket/unsavory folk. Plus the advice to catch a bus and at train station and ride to tower (due to lack of parking once you get there) was a time burner and not too scenic. Of the four adults that went on that trip, we all four independently listed Pisa as the only place we went that we would not want to go back to in the future. There are a lot of people that LOVE Pisa and understand that I only saw a tiny glimpse. But I think your odds of having a beautiful stress-free Tuscan visit are better if you go elsewhere.

A day trip to Ravenna is my top choice.

Pisa, only to see the sacred compound with the leaning tower. It is still worth the trip.

Bologna is ok, but we were not hugely impressed.

What about other cities besides those 3? If those 3 , my rank would be Bologna, Ravenna, Pisa.

You could look into Volterra, Parma (and eat at Massimo Bottura's place there Osteria Francesnca). You can also head south to the Val d’Orcia towns. Or Further south and do Cortona and Arrezzo as a daytrip.

Bologna is the shortest trip. Ravenna is the longest.

Ravenna has the best sites. Bologna is the best food. Pisa has the goofy sites. I'd do Bologna, but people either love it or don't care for it. But I'd enjoy two meals there or maybe a half day cooking class and some sight seeing. The variety of cooking available in Bologna seems far broader and more interesting than what's on offer in Florence.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I guess I now should ask which two places would you pick between Cortona, Arrezzo,
Bologna, Parma, Modena, Ferrara and Ravenna. We have made side trips in the past to Siena, Lucca, Volterra and San Gimignano Thanks you all have been a huge help.