We will only be in Florence for 1 1/2 days (i know bad planning); our train from Venice arrives in the afternoon on the first day, so we hope to just walk around the leather markets/see Piazzale Michaelangelo for the sunset. That being said, I've alreadys wanted to see the Tuscany wine country - and my husband wants to see Pisa - so one option is a full day tour to Siena, then lunch in the Chianti wine region, then San Gimignano then on to Pisa (whew! 12 hours total!). I know this means not having time to see the museums and such but these are 2 places we've been wanting to visit!! Another option is just doing a 1/2 wine tasting tour. Is there any option to do just a wine tasting and adding on Pisa? We don't necessarily have to see Siena and San Gimignano! Any input is appreciated!
Posted by
68 posts
I did the full day tour you mention. Worth the long day! The cathedral and square in Siena were gorgeous and San Gimignano was very sweet and I hope to go back and stay there someday. Truthfully Pisa was the least of the highlights - but I wanted to see it too as it is an icon! I felt I got more of a feel of Italy than just the tourist cities as well and the countryside for the ride is gorgeous. (Hint: Pick up a sandwich across from the tower in Pisa before you leave to eat on the drive back as you will be hungry on returning as lunch was a long time ago)
The only museum I would try to make time for is the Accademia to see David - and you can do that in an hour if you have to (we did - got up and went at open and then straight to catch our train to Rome!).
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2389 posts
hey hey mgreta
tuscany is a big area with lots of places to go but it will take time. the tour you've mentioned will be spending time in a bus and not much time to roam around, just my own opinion. since you both are hoping to see pisa and some winery/tasting, an option is to take the train to pisa, walk around the square, if climbing the tower you need to reserve it thru (opapisa.it) only online timed reservations. read the info about it, check opening times, how long you plan to spend there.
come&seeitaly.com has different wine tours from either pisa or lucca. if something suits your fancy, check times and then train back to florence.
you can walk the town of pisa, more to it that the leaning tower. stop and have lunch at a cafe along the river or train to lucca, roam around the walled city, have lunch then a tour.
luccatours.com has couple
you can also do it the opposite way, wine tour first then visit pisa and train back to florence. will be a long day but you won't be sitting in a van all day. see different towns/villages, sit at cafe, relax with a glass of vino, people watch. look at train schedules (trenitalia.com, loco2.com, trainline.com) italian train station name (firenze SMN) Pisa (Pisa San Rossore) (Lucca is Lucca) make sure you validate tickets before getting onboard at machine.
hope this gives you some info what's possible, and get 'er done, and both happy travelers. good luck
aloha
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Another option would be a half day wine tour and Pisa on your own (very easy by train). Depending on what time you arrive in Florence on day 1, you might be able to book a late entry into the Accademia; or book an early morning entry on day 3 before you depart Florence. That way you'll get to see at least one of the most important museums.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Ok thank you all for the information, great ideas!! Of course anywhere we go I'm sure we'll enjoy!!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
This tour is just Pisa, then Chianti wineries.
Might be what you're looking for.
https://www.getyourguide.com/florence-l32/florence-full-day-pisa-and-tuscany-tour-t195143/
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
That tour might be perfect if you prefer not to arrange the Pisa portion of the day on your own. It's a morning train trip to Pisa, lunch on your own back in Florence and then an afternoon wine tour of Chianti, so very similar to seeing Pisa on your own and then taking a half day wine tour but with Pisa arranged for you. Either option would work well, and the incremental cost of the tour isn't significant (maybe 25 euro per person).