We have an extra day in Florence and are thinking about renting a car to string together Pisa, Volterra and San Gimignano. Any suggestions? We have been to Florence twice before and love it but will have days there again this time so want to tie together a few other sites. We think a car may be the most flexible. Ideas please!!! We're just looking for one day's plan. We'll spend the night in Florence before and after. Thanks!!
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Amy - if I only had a day to spend from Florence (and not driving through Tuscany)... I would head to Lucca, the walled city and home of Puccini! If you've never been, it's got lots more to offer than Pisa.
Not sure when you're coming but the Puccini festival is held May-August. Here's a link:
http://www.puccinifestival.it/eng/cartellone.asp
I would not drive to either Pisa or Lucca but rather take the train. Lucca is a walled city and you really do not need a car there. Pisa has many "illegal" driving zones so if you DO drive be careful!
Lucca's train station is two blocks outside the ramparts (enter at Porta San Pietro) on the south side of town in Piazza Ricasoli. Lucca is on the Florence-Viareggio train line, with frequent service to Florence. It takes 70 minutes to an hour and a half to go from Lucca to Florence.
Great to have some extra time - Have fun!!
Posted by
Kamloops, BC, Canada
405 posts
San Gimignano is also a pleasant day trip, but more crowded than Lucca.
Posted by
Lafayette, CA
30 posts
I agree about the car. We spent over an hour looking for a legal parking space in Pisa--very frustrating--so I think the train would be better. While I have not yet been to Lucca, I, too, have heard very good things about it and Pisa is really just the Leaning Tower and the rest is just a large city. I loved Volterra and the climb (by car) to its hilltop location. Beautiful vistas and then all the Etruscan artifacts. It seems less touristy than San Gimignano although San Gimignano is such a manageable town--good for walking, parking outside city walls--and such a lovely drive to get there.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
As mentioned by Ron, be very careful about driving in both Pisa and Florence. Both have restricted areas (Zona Traffico Limitato). In Florence, these areas are protected with computerized cameras that get your rear license plate as you enter the restricted area. A very expensive ticket will arrive in your mailbox up to a year after you were there. Do not drive in Florence.