Sienna, San Gimignano, Pisa, Luca......??

Maria, I would suggest that 3 days in Florence doesn't give you time to do much else. Also, Florence is the center of the Renaissance. Hopefully, you have 3 nights and parts of a 4th day.

That being said, if Siena and San Gimigiano appeal to you, they are a bit over an hour away. Grayline (CAF Tours) has a nice 1-day bus tour from Florence to both San G. and Siena. 55 Euro per person. Or you can do this by train and bus yourself but you'll need to pick up some more detail to nail down your schedules and times. Just keep asking more specific questions.

Pisa and Lucca are just as far in a completely different direction. All towns you mention except San G. are served by Regionale trains. No high-speeds. There is no train station in San G.

Florence will seduce you if you already love Renaissance/Medieval places and periods. Please don't shortchange it! It is my favorite of the "big 3" of Rome, Florence, Venice. You need a minimum of 2 days to do justice around Florence (and 3 days all for Florence really lets you soak it up). Sure you can see the Accademia and Uffizi and Duomo and Ponte Vecchio all in one day (as long as it's not a Monday), but to absorb the atmosphere of Florence, you can't spend all your time flitting from one sight to the next.

I understand that you wish to maximize your time in Italy, but the simple truth is that you just can't EVER do as much as you would like in 1 trip. That is why I save my money and SkyMiles and go nearly every year...have been at least 10 times in the last 15 years...and I never get tired of it nor have I managed to see everything on my list!

So my advice would be to give Florence all of 2 days, and use the 3rd day to take a bus tour of Siena and San Gimignano/Tuscany (assuming the schedule coincides with yours--you'll probably want to plan it in advance so you don't miss out). Using a guided day tour in this case makes sense to help you cover more territory, more expediently, and relieves you of the burden of dealing with train stations, schedules, and wandering aimlessly. You'll get tons of ideas of where you're dying to come back to for next time around!

If you are going to San Gimignano, go farther! Go to Volterra, and not because of the Twilight connection either. Hopefully, you have Rick's book on Tuscany. In there, you will find a recommendation for a local guide named Annie Adair (www.tuscantour.com). We booked a 3 hour tour in April with Annie and it turned out to be one of our favorite memories/experiences of Italy. She will tailor the tour to your specific interests and is very passionate about her adopted city. We toured all the historical Etruscan sites and the local alabaster workshop Alab'Arte (not to be missed, bring your plastic, you'll need it!). We would go back in a heart beat. Sienna and San Gimignano are charming as well.

Dang. It sounds as if the Twilight series may have ruined Volterra and Montepulciano both. See this article:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-11-05-twilight-volterra-italy_N.htm

Scratch those off our itinerary for next May. Sounds like Volterra/Montepulciano have become to vampire-besotted American girls what Cortona has become to middle-aged American women thanks to "Under the Tuscan Sun". :-)

Maria,

With only three days, I'd suggest focusing on Florence, as there's more than enough to keep busy with there.

As it's your honeymoon, a more "relaxed" touring schedule would provide a better and more memorable travel experience.

If you're really intent on taking a day trip, you could (for example) take the Bus to Siena and back. Bus is a better option for Siena, as they stop right in the main part of town rather than at the bottom of the hill where the rail station is located. The travel time is about the same. Siena IS a "medieval, historic place" and a wonderful city to wander around. Be sure to watch your time so that you're back at Piazza Antonio Gramsci in time to catch the Bus back to Florence.

I'd suggest packing along a copy of the Italy 2010 Guidebook, as it will be a valuable reference source, especially for restaurants and sights in the area. Depending on your situation, the Italian Phrase Book may also be a good idea.

Congratulations and happy travels!

Maria - I am Italian and would disagree with the previous posters. Yes, Florence is wonderful and you could spend a lifetime there BUT - This is your Honeymoon - You're in my Italia , so why not see a few things. Siena, San Gimignano, and Volterra are all relatively close and you can get a "taste" of more than one course by seeing a bit of each. "Wandering" around is good!! explore and don't be afraid. Heck, you could even rent a car , with a GPS in it, and drive the hour plus to one or more of the Hilltowns. Adventuresome and Fun !! Go For It !!!!!!

Ciao, Greg

I would spend at least one night in Sienna. It's a beautiful Medieval city and to me is more beautiful than Florence ( Florence has the art, Sienna is more charming). I'm sure the same thing exists in Florence, but while I was in Sienna every hotel had brochures for tours of all the hill towns plus wine tasting. It's a great value too.

Thanks for all the wonderful advice!
what about Pisa? is it worthy to take one morning to go there or is Pisa just a go, take a photo holding the leaning tower, and leave spot?

I haven't been to Pisa but everyone that I talk to who has been there said that it wasn't really worth the trip.

I agree with most about Pisa. Was there once and while i won't say it wasn't worth a visit, i do not have a desire to go back and would not say its one of my favorite places. Very touristy.

I also agree with the Siena lovers. I am going back to Italy next May and am thinking about using Siena as a base location at least for part of my trip.

I've also been to Lucca and that was one of my favorites. Would recommend a visit there.

Thanks everybody! somebody suggested maybe since we are staying 3 nights in Florence to do the best of tuscany tour one full day. Has anybody done this? we are going in Nov so the tour is one hour shorter than normal. is it worth it?
Thanks again i really appreciate it!