Prato, Pistoia, Lucca, Pisa

Unless you have special interests,such as textiles or Palazzo Datini, I would skip Prato. It has grown tremendously over the last decade, and much of it not in the tourist's favor. Yes, you can do the remaining three in two days. Lucca is the obvious choice as a base for most tourists, but don't make the mistake of only going to the Tower at Pisa. Go to some of the other monuments and museums and the markets.

Kate, if you are planning to be in Florence, Pistoia can be a daytrip (you have to backtrack through Florence if you're heading south anyway). Pistoia has a lot of interesting places to see without a tourist crush. You can take the train from Pistoia to Lucca if you decide to overnight in Pistoia. Lucca is a lovely town, you might want to spend a night or two there (walk the wall circuit, about 4km, or ride a rental bike around it). Lucca is a very musical city (home of Puccini), and you will hear music from the many conservatories and studios almost everywhere in the old town (I suggest you stay in the historic center). Haven't been to Prato. Pisa could also be a daytrip from Florence. Prato, Pistoia, Lucca and Pisa are all on the same train line.

FREE ADVICE FROM A FLORENTINE WHO KNOWS ALL 4 CITIES WELL: PRATO: only 10 miles from Florence, lots of people commute between the two cities. Must see: the Duomo (cathedral), Palazzo Pretorio and the Emperor's Castle (Castello dell'imperatore). I wouldn't spend the night in Prato.
PISTOIA: only 20 miles from Florence, also commuting distance from Florence. More things to see than Prato. Must see: Duomo, Palazzo dei Vescovi, Battistero, Church of San Zeno, Church of St. Andrea. Better than Prato as sleeping venue. LUCCA: Just minutes from Pisa. Lots to see here. Must see: ancient city walls, Duomo, San Michele in Foro church, piazza dell'anfiteatro, Guinigi tower (tree on top) and many more. Lucca would be my top choice for sleeping venue, among the 4 cities mentioned. PISA: Everything that you must absolutely see is in one piazza (piazza dei miracoli): Duomo, Battistero, Leaning Tower,cemetery. Along the river Arno there is also the small S. Maria allo Spino church. The Lungarno is worth a visit. I would also like to mention that as sleeping venue I would probably the world famous Spa Resort Town of Montecatini Terme (between Pistoia and Lucca). Which is a very quaint town with lots of tourists and very lively. If not part of your itinerary, definitely Lucca would be my sleeping venue choice. Doing all 4 in two days is possible, but it would require a Mussolini tour pace. 3 days would be better with one night in Lucca and one in Montecatini Terme (or Pistoia if you really don't want to sleep in Montecatini, where I would stay at least one overnight).

Thank you all- this was just the advice I was looking for! Looks like I will be skipping Prato to spend more time in Lucca:)

Kate, Pisa is just the church and the tower. Can be easily seen in 1/2 day. Lucca is one of my favorite towns in Italy. If you want a hotel recommendation, cooking class recommendation (I took a 1/2 day class last year on my birthday), great Italian leather purse store, they also have a branch of the famous Santa Maria Novella store in Lucca. I can give you any of the above...along with eating recommendations. We had the best pizza of our trip in Lucca.....send me a private message and I will provide.
If you like opera, they perform PUccini's arias every night in one of the churches. They are voice students from a nearby school and some are really good. Puccini's house is there, as well as the coffee shop that he favored....still in business. Villa Fullingo is the main shopping street. I would recommend a bike rental and ride around the walls of the city or just an evening stroll. It is a magical place.

Hi all, I am from Prato and I know very well the city. I want Just to Add that the city is very nice and you have also to visit Textile Museum (Museo del Tessuto) in the ex Campolmi Factory is an Huge space dedicated to textile and fashion (from 1400 to nowdays) and explain also the history of this industrial city. The ancient city walls of Prato are well conserved. It was a typical medieval city. The city center is very nice. It's not so touristic as the other cities of Tuscany but there are hidden parts that even the citizens don't know! For the night...you have to ask to John Malkovich who loves the city and opened a bar caffè called Opificio JM near Piazza San Marco! You can have also Cantuccini and Vin Santo in Biscottificio Antonio Mattei..here you can find the original ones! bye!
Francesco Livi