Wineries with Amazing View and close to San Gimignano

We went to San Gimignano/Siena on a day tour many years ago. Others will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think parking might be difficult in those places. The problem with tours is that you may not be able to get back by 6 pm. In 2019, a very late return to Rome(for no discernible reason) from a day tour caused me to miss the forum light show I had paid for in advance. I dont know about San Gimignano, but Siena is said to be an easy bus trip from Florence. Honestly, I didn't like San Gimignano as much as I expected but I think Siena is definitely worth a day trip. Florence is a great place for wandering around.

Thank you Cala :)

I took a train and then a bus to San Gimignano from Florence.
San Gimignano itself is best seen from the road. It is small on the inside and touristy. There is nothing unique about the inside.
I would not want to go to Siena on a tour; it is already crowded with tours. We took the train there from Orvieto on a day trip but there is a bus that goes directly to the old town on the hill from Florence.

Thank you If you didn't like any of these what would you recommend?

2.San Gimignano/Siena (Tour or
Driver?) back by 6pm

Both are gorgeous towns. I would prefer a driver so you can see them on your own. If you get a driver and can return by 9pm instead of 6pm it would be better as you could see the towns later in the day when they are not as crowded.

4.Cinque Terre ( I love the water so
yes I know it's long but I'm ok with a train...as it takes 2 hours

You can do this but I would recommend an earlky start. Take the train to Porto Venere, from Porto Venere take the ferry to Vernazza. Then spend about 6 hours in Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Then take an evening train from Riomaggiore to Florence. You would get the scenic views of the coast from the sea and you get a few hours to see the towns.

Of the choices you gave, and aside from the Chianti winery tour (which you seem set on), I'd opt for the Val d'Orcia tour. You would certainly want an all day tour,but it would seem to tick most of the boxes as far as your interests go. Full disclosure, we had our own car when we did this, not a tour.

Another popular day trip that you didn't mention is Lucca. You might want to do a search for previous threads about this very charming town.

Siena is wonderful, don't miss it.
San Gimignano is OK, but it is not worth more than an hour.
Lucca is great, also, don't miss the Sacred Compound in Pisa for the Leaning tower.
Cinque Terre is a bit far, I suggest skipping it.

thank you Marco and CJean...yes I am so dying to go to Cinque Terre....and yeah seems like the Val would encompass the wineries....good idea. :) Trying to fit in a lot ...I don't mind the full days and I'm leaving 3 full days in Florence which is enough for me personally. Looking to hear from people that have actually traveled to these places and not just an opinion so I really appreciate it :) thank you!!!

thank you Geo...have you taken a trip to Cinque Terre from Florence? rethinking Sienna vs. San Gimignano.
did you go to San Gimignano and Siena for the day once?

Thank you If you didn't like any of these what would you recommend?

I like Siena, I don't like the idea of seeing it in a cluster of folks, a tour group.

I hired a driver for a day tour at the start of 2023

We started in Florence. Went to Monteriggioni which we spent less than an hour but was great to walk on the old walls

We then went to Sienna. Spent 2/3 hours. Checked out the cathedral and few other spots

We then went to San Gimignano and spent about 80/90 minutes. Lined up for the best Gelato in the world. Climbed one of the towers and had a look around

Returned to Florence by 6pm

A fantastic day. Cost for the driver was round 400 euro but worth every cent. Travelled with my wife and two kids (10/13).

We also used the same driver for a wine tour in Greve

that sounds so nice thank you Trent.
Do you happen to know or have the drivers/company name? thanks again :)

We took a bus to Siena. I recall that the bus ride was pretty scenic. Take off early and enjoy the day there. RS has a good workup on Siena I believe.

We're planning on going to Luca, probably by bus. RS has a walking tour in the Italy book. Only about 1 hour ride.

1. Not near Florence, so the only way to do it is with a driver or a small organized tour (like a van).
2. You could do them independently by bus, however it would be difficult to do both in a day without a car, it would be very rushed, however it is doable.
3. If you like wine and rural settings it would be a great tour. There are many companies that organized similar tours, but I have no experience since I've only driven my own car there.
4. I like water a lot too, but going to Cinque Terre from Florence by train is a pain. You are looking at almost 3 hours each way door to door, once you factor in the time from your hotel to the station. But if you must do it all costs, start very early. The fastest way there is by taking the FrecciaBianca high speed train from the FIRENZE CAMPO DI MARTE station to LA SPEZIA CENTRALE and then a Regionale train from La Spezia to the town of your choice at the Cinque Terre. That solution requires only 1 train change and it is the fastest. Go the the Trenitalia website (www.trenitalia.com), select the English language unless you know Italian, and choose From: FIRENZE (TUTTE LE STAZIONI), i.e. Florence (All Stations), to CINQUE TERRE VILLAGE OF YOUR CHOICE. The Frecciabianca from Firenze Campo di Marte Station should be one of the choices, which departs early in the morning. The same is available also to return to Florence, but maybe you may not care to get back fast, it is however important to get to the Cinque Terre early as the place must be enjoyed before it gets dark.

thank you Roberto
that is my plan...I have hired a driver and I'm taking the early train to Cinque Terre and going to only visit a few places vs. all of them...which towns/villages would you recommend in Cinque Terre? Also, any areas you think in Tuscany that are absolutley breathtaking that are worth the trip? thank you so much! Not many replies on here ...some people will just tell me what they don't like vs. where they have actually gone and recommend I should go with a description.