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IN Italy, what would be the better side trip..........

Posted by (St Petersburg Florida ) on

I am spending 3 days in Florence. In your opinion, what would be the better side trip........San Gimignano or Pisa?

I am spending 4 days in Rome. IN your opinion, what would be the better side trip.......Pompei or Orvieto? I know this could be like comparing apples to oranges. I like old ruin-like things but I like old medieval towns too. Plus the time factor to get to Pompei could be exhausting but I just wanted some input on those who have been to these places and see what the majority opinion is.

I am also spending 2 days in Siena and 2 days in Assisi but I am not sure if I should attach the side trips to these cities, after all I am using these cities as my chill out from the big city grind.

Should I not even consider a side trip? I do not feel I am seeing too much, but then again maybe I am getting a bit ambitious with my first trip to Italy.

My order has been established, hotels are booked. Milan 1 night, Florence 3 (side trip?), Siena 2, Assisi 2, Rome 4 (side trip?), Venice 3.

Side trip or no side trip or what side trip......that is the question.

Posted by
277 posts

San G is a great side trip, Pisa for me...not so much. Pompei was awesome, but hot and dusty, I would give serious consideration to seeing it again. Orvieto was also great, and the wine is great as well. You might think about travel time and availability of trains/buses ect. Have a great time. Enjoy, Jeff

Posted by
689 posts

If I HAD to do side trips...

Pisa from Florence as that can be done in 1/2 day so you don't lose tooo much time from Florence.

Orvieto from Rome. Pompeii, while doable is a very long day from Rome. If you must see some ruins, go to Ostia Antica from Rome. Much much closer and shorter trip.

I'd not do any side trips. You are already experiencing the hill towns (Sienna and Assisi) It would be hard to get me out of either Florence or Rome for a side trip.

Safe travels!

Posted by
15591 posts

I would spend 3 days in Florence, no day tripping. My last visit, I was there for 48 hours, with a list of Michelangelo's works. Because the Laurentian Library was closed, I managed to fit in the Duomo museum too. And the baptistry (open late). I could have happily spent another 2 days.

Posted by
7737 posts

With that itinerary, I wouldn't do any side trips, especially since it's your first time in Italy. The places you've chosen are awesome and side trips will just result in you burning time on buses or trains that should be spent enjoying those cities and towns. For a medieval town experience while in Rome, walk over to Trastevere - it's the medieval section of the city and does feel like a separate town. Rome has plenty of ruins within the city itself, but the Ostia Antica recommendation is a good one if you want the wide open experience of Pompeii without the grueling trip there and without the crowds.

Unless you're one of those people who just likes to put a checkmark next to a city name to say you've "seen" it, just enjoy where you are. That's the fun of Italy.

Posted by
951 posts

Thanks for all your input. I think that no side trip is the general opinion. I may just do that; I will opt to enjoy where I am instead of creating a check mark vacation. And the side trip to Ostia Antica is a great idea, as compared to traveling far to Pompei.

Posted by
282 posts

Another vote for no side trip! There is PLENTY to see in the cities where you are staying. You are already burning quite a bit of travel time with 6 different locations, so just enjoy your time there!

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