our motel accomondations are in pisa. i have booked a cooking class in florence, wondering if renting a car, or take the train to florence? also, what other day trips would you recommend in tuscany. we have 4 other open days. thanks jan
Posted by
Oregon
19 posts
It's a bit of a drive/ride (about 2 hours by car, 1:45 by train), but Siena was the highlight of our recent trip to Italy. Beautiful cathedral (we liked it better than St. Peters in the Vatican), huge piazza, great food & shopping. Inside the city walls is very medieval and breathtaking. We can't wait to go back. Fortunately we took a taxi to the Piazza each time we went (we stayed at an agritourismo just outside of town) as I couldn't image finding my way through the maze of super-narrow streets.
RS has a page describing Siena, here: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/tms/siena-italys-medieval-heart-and-soul
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2571 posts
hey smitty
where are you staying in pisa? they is a cooking class in lucca which i think is closer. cucuinaitaliana.com which he also has accomodations to stay. are you locked in to class and hotel?
aloha
Posted by
OP
8 posts
our motel accomodations are in pisa, italy, but we have a cooking class scheduled to start at0900. we must be there 15 minutes prior. we will probably take a train from pisa to florence, but we are to meet in central florence at the florencetown tours and news stand located in piazza delta repubblica next to the apple store. would you recommend taking a taxi from the train station, there will be 4 of us, and how much time should i allow for that? please
Posted by
Oklahoma City
249 posts
I would recommend Siena. Another one of my favorites was San Gimignano. Also, don't miss Sant Antimo Abbey. If you time it right, you can hear the monks chanting their daily chant.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Easy day trips by train, all under 30 minutes.
Lucca, Pietrasanta, and Viareggio.
Posted by
11944 posts
By car:
To SE of Siena. Montalcino, Pienza, Cortona
From Siena, not far to Panzano, Radda, Castellina.
To the west of Siena:Volterra, San Gimignano, Lucca
We have always rented cars in Tuscany to explore off the beaten path as well as villages, towns, cities listed above. Can’t imagine doing it by public transportation.