Pisa visit advice

If I were doing it, I would do it on the CT-Florence day.

I doubt there is a 'wrong' answer, just a subjective judgement on what works best for you.

On further thought, in light of the fact you plan only one night in Florence, it may be better to do it on the Venice-CT leg. This lets you have more time in Florence. With just one night, every little bit helps

One night in Florence is kinda short IMHO.
But since you asked about Pisa - we enjoyed this city as part of a day trip using a tour from Florence- spent about 3 hours in the area of the Leaning Tower. Very beautiful and very fun. Depending on when you are going, I would advise buying the ticket to go up the tower in advance. One young lady was very disappointed as there were no tickets available at the site.

Sure others have said- but try and book as much in advance as possible.

Only one night in Florence baffles me. We spent three nights in the CT and that was perfect, four in Florence.

Pisa is a great stop off on the train trip to/from CT/Florence. I too am baffled by one day in Florence. Also, depending on the time day, train travel from Venice to CT will possibly take you through Florence and Pisa. Other routes bounce Bologna/Parma, I think. But I am assuming you are traveling by train.

Not everyone loves museums - I know I don't. I spent three nights in Florence, and I just didn't fall in love with it. Didn't hate it (how could anyone?), but it's not a place I really felt I needed to spend a lot of time. I did day trips to Pisa, Siena, and Fiesole. If I hadn't done them, I could imagine doing just a night there, though I'd want an early arrival the first day and a late departure the second.

I have a question about the other commenters! Is one night baffling because there is so much in Florence? I was also planning one night Florence but 5 nights in San Gimignano to see more or Tuscany. Should I make it 2 nights Florence? Thanks!

Teri, crack open your Rick Steves Italy guidebook to the Florence section. What appeals to you there? Would you fill two days with things that appeal to you? If not, one night there may be enough for you. Not everyone loves, loves, loves Florence - but clearly some people do. We all have different preferences.

I take it that the adults really want to spend time in Florence. If you stop on the way to Florence, that leaves you an evening in Florence and not much of the next day before going to Rome. So you might as well stop on the way from Venice, make the boys get up early. There's a 9.30 train (change in Florence) that gets to Pisa at 1.00, plenty of time to climb the tower - don't skip the church or the beautiful baptistry and buy tower tickets in advance.

Have you considered going to Florence first, then the CT? There's a direct train from La Spezia at 8.16 that gets to Rome around noon, another slower one that leaves at 10.11 and arrives at 2.33. That avoids some backtracking. That might give you a little more time in Florence, if you leave Venice early and Florence in the early afternoon.

about Florence: Do what is right for you and your family.

In a few years the boys will not want to travel with you any more. Then you can come back to Florence.

Agree with Chani.

Venice>Florence 2Hr05m
Florence>Pisa 1hr. (Left luggage at station).

Pisa>Monterosso . 1Hr29m
Monterosso>Rome. 4Hr17m.