Day Trip out of Florence?

Hi Karen, we used tour company Walk About Florence and booked their "Best of Tuscany Tour". It included stops in Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and we stopped at an organic farm and had lunch. It was a long 12 hour day, but we traveled in a very comfortable bus, had a an excellent and kind tour guide, had time to explore on our own and between the walking time and the bus time it was a nice pace. I like to plan my own travel most of the time, but once in a while I like to just show up at a location and let someone else worry about the logistics and plan out the top spots to hit. The day we spent on this tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy and I think it was a great value for the money and our limited time in the area.

Someone else recently commented that Pisa is a "one-trick pony", and I rather agree. Siena and Lucca seem much more worthwhile to me and can be easily visited via public transportation. Lucca and Pisa can be combined on a single trip if necessary.

If you're interested in smaller and/or less-visited places, you may need to look at one-day bus trips. It can be hard to coordinate public bus schedules in order to visit more than one or two small towns in one day.

Siena

It really is a perfect day trip from Florence and should definitely be your top choice if doing just 1 day trip.

Karen,

I, also, agree that Pisa is kind of a one-trick-pony but it can be combined with a day trip to Lucca (if you absolutely MUST see the leaning tour). Even worse than being one dimensional, Piazza Del Duomo tends to have some of the worst tourist crowds in Italy. I actually witnessed physical altercations between tourists trying to get the "perfect photo." My recommendation would be to hit Pisa (S.Rossore is the closest train station to the Church) as early as possible in order to beat the crowds of selfy-stick wielding monsters. Then, get back on the train and head to Lucca for an enchanting trip back in time. Walk the entire circumference of the old city on the TOP of the wall - it's wonderful.

If you don't want to take in Lucca but would rather visit the Tuscan countryside, I recommend the WalkAboutForence Chianti Wine and Food Safari (if you are into Wine). This tour was hands-down the highlight of out 14 day Venice-Florence-Rome self-guided trip.

I second the recommendation of combining Pisa and Lucca into one day trip.

Or skip Pisa altogether and just go to Siena. It's definitely worth a day trip.

All of these spots are easy to get to independently by train from Florence.

Karen,

You may get more ideas by reading these recent posts:

• Day trips from Florence
• Florence/Tuscany without a car
• Day trips to Tuscan towns from Florence

Enjoy Italy!

Edit to add...

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What would you pick if you could do only one: Siena or St. Gimignano?
We are a group of three kids, three adults (one a senior citizen) and might be able to squeeze in one one-day trek from Florence. Kids want Pisa but I'm using my veto power.

If you do choose Siena, take the bus rather than the train. The bus stops close to the centre of Siena, the train quite an uphill walk away from the centre.

Mimi: it is San not St.
Still choosing Siena. There is more to see and do in Siena.

Kids will love the main El Campo Piazza and can climb the Mangia Tower. One of the neatest piazzas in the world.
Everyone will be wowed by the Duomo - more impressive than the Florence one inside and out.
You can even climb the Facciatone at the Duomo if the kids want to do more climbing for views.

We too LOVED the day trip we took by WALKABOUT FLORENCE. Check out their website. We did 2 day trips with them . . .
THE BEST OF TUSCANY and a Chianti Wine and food Safari. They were both fantastic, but that BEST OF TUSCANY TOUR was one of our highlights from our 3 wks in Italy. You can even book online on their website.

But if you decide to just do Sienna, take the bus . . . much easier and more convenient than the train. We loved Sienna and San G both a lot - but be aware there is a lot of walking at both places with hills.

Siena hands down. An hour bus trip and they run both ways 2 or 3 times an hour. Note the return time possibilities on the sign where they drop you off. We usually focus on the second to last bus back so as to not risk missing the last bus if we mistime it.

Siena is a wonderful day trip and also a wonderful place to spend a night. The Cathedral is jaw dropping. Climbing the Torre Mangia is a must. https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2011/09/18/climbing-the-torre-mangia-at-67/ The Campo is arguably the prettiest square in Italy. Have lunch at one of the restaurants on the Campo; touristy sure -- but beautiful spot and we have found the food adequate and not any pricier than similar restaurants with less view in the area. And we really enjoy strolling through the neighborhoods around the Campo. Each Contrada has a fountain and its own symbol that you see in many signs and little plaques on buildings. Wonderful town.

I did not enjoy Siena, but my day trip to Lucca and Pisa was one of my most memorable travel days, ever. If you do this, do it in that order. Lucca doesn't get the same crowds as Pisa. By doing Pisa later in the afternoon (after lunch), I got there as the souvenir vendors were literally packing up and most of the tourists had gone. The marble in the Field of Miracles (where the Leaning Tower is) looked lovely in the afternoon light.

We went to pisa...crowds were such that was the only time we got separated (my friends fault, she stopped to take photos & the rest of us walked on) they did tower, i dont do hts, so did bapistry, still happy w my choice. I had time at the end to sit in lobby of museum & watch their films on attempts thru the centuries to straighten tower...fascinating.

Thanks for all the great suggestions, this certainly helps me in our trip planning! Much appreciate all your comments! Safe travels!
Karen

I'm visiting Florence in June, and will be taking this tour to the Val d'Orcia:
https://italyxp.com/en/tuscany/excursions/montalcino-pienza-val-orcia

It's basically the rolling cypress lined hills and valleys you see in postcards. If you're into beautiful nature and scenery, wine and cheese, take that day-trip into consideration. There are other similar tours from other companies as well.

Many people have told me the Val d'Orcia is more breathtaking than Chianti, which is why I chose it.

Safe journey!!!