Orvieto, Lucca, Verona : Most recommended?

Depending on how many days you are planning for each of those 5 cities you could add a half day trip to Lucca from Florence (many people, myself included) do (did) a combo of Lucca and Pisa, though I think Lucca alone would be great. From Rome a day trip to Orvieto is doable. I've been to Orvieto twice, both times spending a few days there but lots of people are happy with a day trip from Rome. I love Verona - would probably be my favorite of the three but it doesn't fit as well with your base cities.

They’re all beautiful. In terms of what you can take in in such a short time frame, I would rank them Lucca, Orvieto, Verona. In terms of which is the most convenient geographically, I’d say Orvieto.

I can only speak to Orvieto, which was about a 90-minute train ride from Roma Termini station.

We were with friends who have been there many times & have occasionally stayed three days, but this time we had simply planned a few-hour stop, which was fine. Walked around, got the lay of the land, then stopped at some nondescript 2-table cafe (that only they seemed to know about) for homemade noodles with cinghiale (wild boar), and house red. Fabulous, especially while sitting next to the sleeping family dog.

From there we wandered around the winding streets, stopping in little shops here & there, and finally finished with a self-tour of the cathedral, quite possibly my favorite in all of Italy, and I've seen a lot of 'em. In the afternoon sunlight the facade was positively glowing.

After a short walk to the overlook with many docile but feral cats lounging about, it was time to catch the train back to Rome, and for dinner. It was the epitome of a perfect daytrip. Enjoy!

All good, but Ravenna on the Adriatic has its amazing Byzantine mosaics.

If we are voting and since I've stayed in all three towns, I vote Orvieto. Partly because of the three, it's the only one I am longing to return to myself. The food, the white wine, the art in the church, the well, the underground, the views, the swallows in the piazza, and yes, just walking around.

I would also vote for, instead, spending an extra day in Siena or Florence.

I've been to all those (and Ravenna) and to me the answer is easy. For a day or half day trip, do hilltop Orvieto. It's beautiful, there are great views out over the valley, great restaurants, amazing duomo, and more.) Verona and Ravenna (although very cool) are too far away and Lucca is not particularly special. (I know that's heresy to some, but it's a flat town in the middle of a flat plain. You can do better.)

You could easily do Orvieto between Florence and Rome.

I have visited all three and you really can’t go wrong. Orvieto is a slight favorite for me over the other two but they really are all wonderful. I think Verona would be best with a full day, but you could have a fine half day visit at the other two.

Verona is out of your way but either Lucca or Orvieto would fit into your itinerary. The towns are different but each has more than enough of interest to fill a day. I suggest you review the sights in each town and pick the one with the sights you find most interesting. You can't go wrong either way.

Thank you for each of these responses.!

I wouldn't throw Verona out. It's not much farther (time wise) than Lucca from Florence. All three are worth seeing and, as others have said, it depends a lot on how many days you are planning in each place. Orvieto is the smallest and is a true hill town; Lucca is a medium sized town with an historic center within it's 16th century walls and you can walk or bike on the walls; Veronna is a much larger city but also with a nice historic center. You'll get votes for all three but I think since Orvieto is a RS favorite it might have an edge on this forum. I've not been there, but I loved Lucca and would definitely recommend it as a day trip from Florence.

Lucca is an ideal daytrip from Florence. Very nice town and will make a very nice visit for you. We loved Orvieto as well. There is a lot to do there and might be better as an overnight stop (although we did it only as a day trip I would have loved to spend the night - maybe next time!). Orvieto is a beautiful city and you can take the underground tour, drink the excellent wine, the cathedral is fantastic. If you go to Lucca, make sure you bike or walk the walls. You will have a wonderful trip!!