I will have ample time in Tuscany - debating a car for a week to visit surrounding cities of Florence. I was planning 5-6 nights in Florence. I am alternatively thinking of staying 4 nights on Florence and then spent 2 nights in another city (accessible by train) prior to going on to Rome instead of renting a car. what city would you suggest worth spending a couple of nights/days? Siena?? Grazie!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
If you've never been to Tuscany before, Siena would be my suggestion. Do you have the RS Florence/Tuscany book? It's worth it.
Posted by
OP
seattle, wa, usa
23 posts
I do! I bought it last weekend. It's hard to narrow down another city as the book makes so many of them sound good. I've heard Pisa is not worth a night's stay. I've heard good things about Lucca. I'll be alone so I really want a city that i can 'mosey' alone safely and not have to hike anywhere other than some close sites and neigborhoods.
Posted by
Diamondhead, MS
132 posts
We spent 4 days in Florence. Didn't see everything. Enjoyed it. Took a cooking class one evening. There's just so much in Florence the day trippers miss. We did do a day tour into Tuscany to Siena, San G and Pisa. I'd skip Pisa next time. It's checked off. But can see spending more time in Siena or San G. But it's hard to go wrong. The options are different. Not that one is the best. Have fun
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
My vote goes for Siena, Montepulciano and San Gimignano, top spots in Tuscany IMO.
I lump Assisi into Umbria as a top spot.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
joie, As you'll be in Florence prior to that, Siena would be a really good choice for two nights. Travel from Florence to Siena would be a bit easier via Bus, as you'll be dropped right in the centre of the city rather than at the bottom of the hill where the rail station is located. From there it's an easy trip by train to Rome (likely one change in Chiusi). With this method, you wouldn't need a car at all. Happy travels!
Posted by
Seattle
149 posts
Although we've not been to Siena, given what I've read about the town, we've chosen it as a follow-up to our one-week or so stay in Rome in September. Mostly, this post is to reinforce the idea of "coming down" from the excitement and crowds of Florence (the fabulous art at the Uffizi, the Academia, etc) to a smaller, quieter town like Siena. Based on the advice of a friend, on our trip in 2000, we started in Florence and welcomed the follow-up trip to and lodging in Verona. It's nice just to sit back and people watch on a great piazza and recover from the pace of a larger city.