Public transportation only;
Fly into and out of Pisa;
Go directly to Siena, spend 3 nights;
3 nights Orvieto;
5 or more nights Florence;
3 nights Lucca.
Have visited Florence previously, 4 nights; went to Uffizi, Museo San Marco, Bargello, and Brancacci Chapel, Torrigiani Gardens. Want to see Accademia, Santa Croce, San Miniato al Monte, Boboli Gardens, plus much of what I saw before. Am enthusiastic photographer, and therefore would be happy to spend longer in the smaller towns than some people might.
One thing I was wondering about was ways to get out in the countryside from these towns without a car.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
U would be much happier as a photographer with a car.,driving in tuscany it is very easy. I have done ir with no problems. Siena is a gd base however for public transit. I usually use a car after i leave tuscany and umbria. There are so many villages to visit. For sure, pienza, san gimignano, and montepulciano are an easy bus ride from siena.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11316 posts
Perfectly doable with trains, and to get into smaller towns you can certainly take a bus, requiring some research, or maybe invest in a couple of guided tours. Tours By Roberto does some great countryside day trips.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
The hill town of Anghiari might give you some interesting photo ops; also Todi, about an hour from Orvieto by (infrequent) bus.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
2448 posts
Thanks for the replies!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would perhaps make Lucca and Orvieto only 2 nights, and then also add Arezzo for 2 nights.
Posted by
616 posts
I would go to Fiesole, ( bus from Piazza San Marco) the Monastry of Savonarole.
There are plenty of buses going to villages from Florence. Down the Staircase (in front of the main entrance of SMN train station), there is a street where all buses from Florence departs.
You will have the time table for any bus to
San Gimignano is also very nice to take pictures.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
2448 posts
Thanks for these suggestions as well, particularly Arezzo.