We have four days in Florence and would like to get around to see more of the Tuscany valley. Any suggestions on must see cities that are accessible via train or bus and things we must do?
Posted by
99 posts
Since Florence requires 2 days minimum to do it any justice. Most people would advise you to spend all 4 days in Florence since it has a lot to see.
I spent 5 days in Tuscany in last November and travelled only by public transport, my preference was
1. Siena - spectacular town Square and bell tower views. A great cathedral and a superb atmosphere at night.
2. Florence - A treasure trove of art and architecture. The view from piazza Michelangelo is worth all the hype. The Duomo museum is an underrated one and the dome climb is a must and requires reservations.
3. Lucca - A wonderful walled town with less tourists and a wonderful atmosphere,and walking the wall is a must do.
4. San Gimignano - worth a morning just for the medieval towered skyline.
5. Pisa - Few hours for the field of miracles , for a short tour should be enough.
If u don't mind shifting bases then 2 nights each in Siena and Florence is ideal to enjoy Siena at night after it has emptied of day trippers.
I barely managed to scratch the surface of these towns in 5 days and will surely be back for more.
Have a great trip
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1745 posts
You have some good ideas from yogibaba. I'll just add a few pointers:
- There is no such thing as a must-see. For one thing, you will find people who are not fans of each of the listed locales. But more important, if you make a long list of must-see cities, you will end up either trying to see too much or regretting what you missed. The honest truth is that whatever you see is what you must see, not the other way around.
- Of the places yogibaba listed, Siena is easily accessible by bus or train (though the bus will drop you directly in the heart of the city), and Lucca and Pisa are easily accessible by train. San Gimignano (not one of my favorites -- see #1) is accessible by bus, but it takes 2 hours each way.
- Since you have only four days in Florence, and that's actually enough to just enjoy Florence, I think one day trip is all you should plan. Of the possible destinations, I recommend Siena, but again, see #1 and remember that you can't really go wrong.
Have a great trip!