For the past month or so I have been planning my travel to Italy next spring. I have reserved my air transportation and will be flying into Venice and out of Pisa.- My first week I will be attending a photography workshop in Venice. After which my significant other will meet me in Venice and we plan to travel to Florence on Sunday midday, a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano from Florence on Monday, explore Florence and the usual museums, galleries, gardens Tuesday-Wednesday. This is where I need the refining. - We will then travel by train to Lucca and Cinque Terre.- Option 1 is to leave Florence midday Wednesday for 2 nights in Lucca then 3 nights in Vernazza before we depart Pisa Monday Midday.- Option 2 Leave Florence Early Thursday for 1 night in Lucca then 3 nights in Vernazza.- Option 3 Leave Florence early Thursday for 2 nights in Lucca and 2 nights in Vernazza.- Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16266 posts
I like option #1. Spend most of the day in Florence, then take the train to Lucca, arriving in time to settle in and walk around before dinner. Book a place inside the walls. If you are going to stop and move in to a hotel there, it is worth spending 2 nights, and you'll have a full day there to wander and explore. We found Lucca a wonderful, relaxing, and interesting respite from the traffic and crowds of Florence. There are a number of very good restaurants to choose from, as well as interesting shops, and nice pedestrian streets to wander. We spent two nights there and could have stayed longer. Three nights in Vernazza is good.
Posted by
OP
NY, USA
500 posts
Anyone?
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
OK.......I'll try. Just some random thoughts. 1. It looks like there are trains (2hrs?) Venice to Florence about every hour even on Sundays. Let's assume you arrive Sunday around 3:30. Will you be renting a car for the next day's trips to Siena and San Gim? Because you'll want to be sure the rental agency is open on Sunday or else get a late start Monday. 2. I haven't been to Lucca or the CT so I won't suggest how long to stay, but Florence is worth a couple of days in the city (as opposed to just daytripping from there.) I'd say "the usual..." in Florence is worth your full Tuesday/Wednesday and save your departure for Thursday.
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
My preference would be option 2. For me, one night in Lucca was enough. On the other hand, I really liked hiking and relaxing in Vernazza so I'd opt for 3 nights there. Since you're taking day trips from Florence leaving Thursday rather than Wednesday seems reasonable. I'm not sure if a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano on the same day is feasible - others could comment on that. If you find that you're ready to leave Florence a day or so earlier, you can always modify your itinerary at that point.
Posted by
OP
NY, USA
500 posts
Thank you for all the replies. Plan for Siena and San Gimignano is a group bus trip not car rental. I understand most museums Florence are closed in on Mondays so this would be a good day to explore a bit of Tuscany. So no rental car needed but we do plan to do a 3.5 hour Fiat 500 driving tour (most likely a wine/olive oil tasting from Florence) and may do that when we arrive on Sunday. All advice and ideas are appreciated.