Florence for 3 nights

What would you like recommendations on ? Lodging or activities ?

Take a look at Rick's info on Florence and create a list of what appeals to you. The posters here can guide you on getting tickets ahead of time.

Florence, lodging. Is it realistic to do a day trip to Cinque Terre. Don't want to change hotels again because we will be flying from Paris to Florence then onto Rome.

I am not sure I would do the Cinque Terre or anywhere as a daytrip from Florence given your time.
3 days in Florence is a good amount of time to see the city's sites since that usually is only 2 full days and a few hours
Unless you don't plan on going into any museums you need that amount of time and wouldn't day trip out for any of the time
If you plan on skipping some museums and places with lines that would otherwise slow you down than a day trip to Siena would be a much better option and is a great place for the day ; very unique and beautiful. Or as a secondary choice combining Pisa with Lucca. Cinque Terre is far in my opinion to go and come back the same day.

My thoughts on Florence lodging is it is such a small city, it really does not matter where you stay at all.
If you want to be in the middle of the action stay anywhere within the walls and make sure the walk to the train station is not too far and you will be in a nice neighborhood. I usually don't like to stay too close to any train station areas so a little walk away is best.
I would rather save a little money in Florence by being flexible and spend that savings in Rome where paying extra to stay in the ancient center (area near Panthenon or Piazza Navona) to me is money better spent as location is far more important in much larger Rome.

Does three nights mean two days? What time of year will you go?

Trying to make Cinque Terre would make for a long, exhausting, potentially frustrating day. A fair amount of your day would be traveling.

From what I understand, all the day trippers from the cruise ships has pretty much ruined Cinque Terre. Even Rick Steves has hinted at it. Google "cinque terre overcrowding".

Two days would hardly do justice to all Florence has to offer. I suggest you stay in Florence instead of trying to do too much.

We have stayed in numerous b&b's in Florence but loved Torre Guelfa for a bit of a splurge or Hotel Scaletto for less. Hotel Scaletto had a lovely rooftop view for breakfast. Florence is incredibly walkable, so nothing is truly out of the way.

Use the search bar above to see what others have noted about Florence lodging suggestions. Also, to get ideas other than from Rick's books, go to booking.com and use their photos and map to get price ideas. Then contact the lodging by email - I prefer the individual touch versus using booking.com, although I have done both over the years.

If you opt out of Cinque Terre, consider a tour to Tuscany or travel down to Siena or out to Lucca on your own.

Ok thank you all!
Any suggestions for beach towns near Rome? If Cinque Terre is too busy/touristy we may just do a couple days of relaxation on the beach. Change our dates for Florence/Rome. Thanks!

We will be going at the beginning of July. Myself and two daughters, 18, 29.

Confused ; if you are only planning 3 nights Florence and 3 nights Rome at busiest time of the year for both ; how do you have any time for beach relaxation.
Are you thinking of cancelling the Florence 3 nights entirely just because you cannot daytrip to the Cinque Terre?
We are really only saying to you that you are underestimating how much time you need to see the main sights in a city, true in Florence and Rome. Rome you need more than 3 nights to be honest.

Add the fact that it is July which means very crowded and HOT and you will go at a slower pace than you think.

If Cinque Terre is so important go there for 3 nights and then Rome skipping Florence rather than trying to find some other seaside areas.
Do note: you shouldn't go to Italy looking for a relaxing beach Holiday, go to the Caribbean or another island for that. Florida has much better beaches than Italy, Italy has better everything else.

We stayed in the CInque Terre for 3 nights this fall in Manarola and while crowded I by now means thought it was so crowded that it ruined the experience, crowds were more of an issue for me in Venice and even to some extent in Florence.
I loved it and think 3 nights there was the perfect amount of time, I think it makes for a nice city break.
The key is though we stayed multiple nights so you are there when all of the day trippers are not.

We are still trying to decide on an itinerary. My teenage daughter has chronic back pain and will need some down time between Paris and Rome. We were hoping for a break at a beach town for a couple days. We may skip Florence all together. There are so many options that it is hard to make a decision. I agree, the Caribbean and Florida are the best beaches around! Been to both several times.

I'll be staying in Florence 3 nights with a full three days in April for Easter. I personally think if you want to see Cinque Terre then you should even if Florence gets short changed. You're the ones who are going to benefit from it. I'll be spending all day Friday April 14 in Florence (taking the early train from Rome) touring the museums, churches, and art that's important to me AND then Saturday I'm off to Venice for an entire day. Yes, it probably deserves more than a day trip, but the day will allow me to wet my feet in Venice. When I return some day, I'll spend more time there. And then in Florence for Easter. So, my point is, don't let anyone discourage you from traveling to Cinque Terre. Yes, you may not get to see everything but I hear it's beautiful! 😊