I will be in Florence in 19 days (but who's counting) for 4 days (5 nights). My plan is to use one or two of those days to see these other towns.
Is the train the best way to travel? (car rental is not an option) Siena is my first choice. Can I manage San Gimignano on the same day? If not, which is preferable, San Gimi' or Lucca? Or only go to Siena and spend a third day in Florence?
This is my first time in Italy. Thanks for all your opinions and advice.
Hi Chani,
We were in Florence for 5 days and we booked a 1 day bus trip to Siena and San Gimignano through expedia.com. It was wonderful. The guide was excellent and we had a great time.
Concur that San Gim and Siena can be done by booking a 1 day excursion. Lucca is easily doable by train for a half day visit or longer if you prefer as is Pisa. Highly recommend that you give Florence 2 full days. One day to visit the top sites and another day to just wander and soak up the atmosphere. We're going to be in Florence in 22 days....but we're not counting either. :) By the way, we visited Israel a few years ago. It was my first trip and my husband's third. Had a great time. You have a beautiful country.
Expedia's tour doesn't include my picks for Siena, and I plan to skip the museum. Thanks for the tip, though. I will have two full days in Florence, not counting Siena and Lucca.
Judy - when are you coming back to Israel? Let me know and I'll take you to the best places you haven't seen yet!
You can do Siena and San Gimignano same day by bus. Probably better to go to San Gimignano first and then take the bus from Poggibonsi to Siena. You can pick up a schedule at the Florence bus station or check it online at www.sitabus.it (from Scegli la regione dropdown menu select Toscana and then Linea Firenze-Siena). Lucca is best done by train - just over an hour and inexpensive.
