Pisa or Assisi

Anthony, it seems to me that your schedule is quite bursting at the seams already. Don't overload yourselves, just take some time out to sit and enjoy the passing parade. Sleep in after the tour - you will be tired. Arrive in Florence in time for a leisurely walk and a celebratory drink somewhere pleasant. If you like gardens, try and visit the Boboli Gardens (part of the Pitti Palance complex). Both Pisa and Assisi will be crowded, but personally, I prefer the latter. Even with the crowds, it has tranquility.

First, you are already looking at about 14 hours of train time for what you describe above. This includes not only the actual time on the train but time spent going to, from and in the train stations. You don't have time to do much else. You will barely see Florence or Venice as it is.

That being said, my choice would easily be Assisi. Pisa is not an attractive city. There is nothing there but the leaning tower, duomo, baptistery and adjoining historical grounds. These are all together in one location. Many people are in and out of the city in 3 hours. Also, Pisa is a bit out of the way for what you want to do. Assisi is much more scenic with more to see. But, it really takes most of a day to see it. And, it's a bit out of the way on the train as well.

Assisi wins this one easily. It is a much more interesting place.

I've been to both and I prefer Assisi. As for sleeping in-I'd do that after I got home.

I'd pick Assisi. We were just there in August and it was truly lovely.

If the question is just "Pisa or Assisi", that answer is definitely Assisi over Pisa. I've been to both and that's a very easy call. But are you actually saying that you're going to be doing Florence, Venice and Rome in four days total and you want to cram yet another city into that??!! I hope I'm misunderstanding you. You could easily do four days in any one of those three cities and have only begun to scratch the surface.

Slow down and enjoy yourself instead. :-)

I would suggest Assisi too if you must add another town but really you will be trying to get too much into far too limited a time in my humble opinion. Also do factor in travelling time - it does take quite a bit out of your day. If you do decide to go to Assisi - the train ride back down to Rome is really lovely passing the hilltop towns.

Thank you all for your responses.

In short, we start off in Rome for 3 days then head to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast for 4 days.

We will try to see Assisi and skip Pisa for another time.

Love Assisi,
You can see pictures at our personal blog at: http://gadtravel.blogspot.com/

Hands down Assisi!

Anthony, you will be much happier with Assisi. It's a beautiful place. Pisa has nothing except the tower. Don't waste your time in Pisa!!!!

OK now you have decided on Assisi if you are feeling energetic when you are there climb to the top of the hill up to the old fort, the view is spectacular.

aw, poor Pisa! I quite liked Pisa! It was a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of Florence.