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Itinerary Advice for Rome, Florence and Milan in March

Posted by (Atlanta, GA) on

My husband and I will be in Italy for 14 days (excluding 2 travel days) mid March.  We fly into Rome and out of Milan.  The preliminary itinerary is Rome - 5 days, Florence - 3 days, Tuscany - 3 days, Milan - 3 days.

I'd like some recommendations for how to do the Tuscany part of our trip, especially in March.  I've noticed that many accommodations are closed until the end of March. Should we choose a central town in Tuscany and do day trips to wineries and smaller towns? Also, we won't be renting a car. 

So, I was thinking we'd take a transfer/tour from Florence to Siena for the day, spend the night and next day in Siena exploring the town, then on the third day take another transfer/tour from Siena back to Florence.  We'd spend the night in Florence and take a train to Milan (or Bologna).  

Or, should we just stay in Florence and take day trips into Tuscany? 
Advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Posted by
755 posts

It’s time consuming to find your hotel, check in, get settled, then check out again. I would definitely stay in one place such as Florence as you mentioned, and do day trips. You can visit a lot of small towns and villages by bus or train from Florence, or you can even take a tour with other people on a big bus, but you absolutely do not need a car. And, before somebody jumps on you, Florence is in Tuscany.

Posted by
27616 posts

I haven't been to Tuscany recently, but there have been a number of positive comments here about the tours offered by Tours by Roberto, which I believe are also recommended in Rick's guide books. I think there are tours originating in both Florence and Siena, but I haven't confirmed that. I'm sure there are other companies operating in the same market, because tours of small Tuscan villages/towns are very popular.

Siena is easily reached from Florence by bus. There are also trains, but the bus takes you to a more convenient drop-off spot in Siena. You don't need to take a tour to Siena unless you prefer guided city sightseeing.

Posted by
11500 posts

You need a car to explore Tuscany,and I can’t imagine not having one while there. We have been there many times.

Posted by
4 posts

Rachele - Yes! I probably should have clarified "Tuscan countryside" instead of just Tuscany:) Thanks for letting me know you think I could do day trips from Florence. I agree that packing and unpacking gets old quickly. I've been to the Tuscan countryside several times (years and years ago). I didn't have the opportunity to do any wine tasting tours because we were driving, so I'm definitely going to let someone else do that this time.

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