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.
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.
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.
The hill town of Anghiari might give you some interesting photo ops; also Todi, about an hour from Orvieto by (infrequent) bus.
Thanks for the replies!
I would perhaps make Lucca and Orvieto only 2 nights, and then also add Arezzo for 2 nights.
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.
Thanks for these suggestions as well, particularly Arezzo.