We are limited to trains/buses, but want to experience a bit of Tuscany. Here is our tenative plan (for just this region, not our whole trip) We mostly want to relax and experience Italy.
Venice to Florence arrive 1:22- afternoon Duomo Museum and walk around, one night- morning Accademia-
leave 3:09 for Cortona stay two nights- enjoy Cortona
leave 9:30am for Lucca arrive 1:21- one night-enjoy Lucca for the afternoon and next morning
Leave for CT at 1:30 arrive CT 3:27
Any advice?
Are you trying to say you were there or trying to enjoy yourself in a beautiful city?
I am amazed at the number of people who think they have to see everything in one trip. Years ago, there was a movie "If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium".
I can't imagine not sitting in a plaza enjoying a bottle of water and watching and talking to the people or wandering the streets and finding unexpected pleasures or unusual stores". That's the real Europe.
We will be in Venice three nights, then Florence/ (Cortona/Lucca) for four nights, then on to CT three nights then Rome three nights.
We don't want to blitz, any other suggestions? We just don't want to miss Florence or "tuscany".
So John,
Are you suggesting we stay in Florence for the full four nights?
I really am open to suggestions since I've never been there before. We don't want to rush, we want to see the real Italy, but don't love big cities.
have you thought about staying Firenze the entire time and maybe hiring a driver to take you into Tuscany?
We did and it actually saved us money, time and the stress if the bus will come.
He took use to San Gimignano and Volterra...we used him another day to take us to San Marino.
BUT a driver can take you where you want to go, that was just our choice!
We also took the train to Siena and Lucca.
just a thought
Actually Kent, I would love someone to tell me how to arrange my trip!! I realize we all have differences in our ideas and interests, but it is so hard to know what to do with the limited time. Since I'm not such a young person anymore either, and enjoy some relaxation like you, how would you plan your four nights?
I'm open to any towns, Lucca and Cortona were suggested other people.
Any thoughts?
Susan, being a nearby Californian, I can suggest to you that your itinerary is similar to the following:
Now imagine train trips to all of these locations. Your itineary looks OK for the number of nights in the major areas. I would suggest dropping Lucca. The rest is fine. 3 nights in the major areas is just fine and will give you enough time to enjoy the area.
I do appreciate the help!
Fresno=Rome....
I'm sorry I know this was for location...
but that just made me laugh hysterically...
maybe it's just a long day...but that just cracked me up!
Grazie! Larry!
See Fresno and die...
I'd skip Cortona as being a fair way in the wrong direction from Florence. Lucca is great and unique. It's Tuscan, though not a hill town. One alternative, if it hasn't already been mentioned, would be to substitute Siena for both Lucca and Cortona. With three nights there you could work in a day trip to a smaller hill town.
To be able to stay in one of the smaller towns, you really need a car.
As a former New Yorker, San Franciscan and Marinite - and present Fresnan - I take exception to your "hysterics" over Fresno. Been here?
As a former New Yorker, San Franciscan and Marinite - and present Fresnan - I take exception to your "hysterics" over Fresno. Been here?
As a former New Yorker, San Franciscan and Marinite - and present Fresnan - I take exception to your "hysterics" over Fresno. Been here?
As a former New Yorker, San Franciscan and Marinite - and present Fresnan - I take exception to your "hysterics" over Fresno. Been here?
oh dear Doreen, i'm so sorry you were offended..
I'm a native Californian, yes I have been to Fresno.
Now that I re-read my mileage comparisons and the comments after my message, I can easily see the humor. It's a California thing. You travelers out there have a nice sense of humor.
Would it make any sense to go straight from Venice to Siena and stay there three nights and bus to Florence for the day?
I believe that staying in Siena is a good idea.The bus to Florence takes about 1 hr. and is a scenic enjoyable ride.Theere are frequent inexpensive buses leaving a short distance from the center of Siena at the bus station.
We decided to stay in Siena for three nights and plan to bus to Florence for the day. We will then stop for one night in Lucca on our way to CT.
I appreciate all the advice because it is just hard to know what is best. I made reservations for Albergo Bernini. This was the place on the RS TV show for Siena!
Thanks again!
Susan, See if you can fit Orvieto in your schedule for at least 2 nights. It is a lovely little town and the strolling with the locals in the evenings is enjoyable.
You could take a couple day trips from there via train.
