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Tuscany/Italy itinerary advice needed

Posted here a few weeks ago and received some good advice. I have started to solidify an itinerary for my wife and me (mid-40s, active, more into beautiful scenery, architecture, and food than art). Would love thoughts. Our last trip to Italy, we spent 5 days in Rome and LOVED it. We want to spend a little time there again. As for Florence, we want to of course see the art highlights like the statue of David, etc., but we are not interested in spending hours in art museums. This is why we have budgeted only 2 full days there. We could add a third day if we want on 7/4.

We were not planning on renting a car. But, should we want to explore Chianti, it might make sense for us to rent a car, see the sights, drive to Siena, and then drive from Siena to Rome. If we go to Lucca and Pisa, we would likely stick with train travel. We look forward to thoughts and advice.

Sat., 6/30 - Arrive FCO 12:30 pm, clear customs and take train to Florence. Check in Golden Tower Hotel and Spa.

Sun., 7/1 - Day in Florence

Mon., 7/2 - Private tour trip to Cinque Terre. Looking at Tuscany Car Tours.

Tues., 7/3 - Day in Florence

Wed, 7/4 - TBD - Perhaps day trip to Lucca and Pisa OR day trip to Chianti region

Th., 7/5 - Check out and travel via bus to Siena. Check in NH Siena. Explore Siena.

Fri., 7/6 - check out, travel via train to Rome. Check in Independent Hotel. Explore Rome.

Sat., 7/7 - Day in Rome.

Sun., 7/8 - Depart for US

Posted by
44 posts

Are we overextending ourselves? I’ve heard how lovely it is to stay overnight in Siena, but is it just too much? Better to just stay in Florence and day trip?

Posted by
23653 posts

I think CT is too far for a day trip even with a driver. The rest looks good.

Posted by
824 posts

Florence has soo much to offer. The Accademia Gallery, location of David, is best done with a guided tour (in my opinion) and will take 1/2 a day. The Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens can take the better part of an entire day if you let them. Additionally, there are plenty of stunning churches, museums and other palaces to keep you entertained for days on end.

As for the countryside, I would heartily recommend a wine tasting/vineyard tour of Chianti. And while I wasn't too impressed with Pisa (mainly due to the oppressive crowds), Lucca is a wonderful day trip. Both Lucca and Pisa can be combined into one (self-guided) day trip (via the train) but I would do Pisa as early in the morning as you can in order to avoid the crowds.

Posted by
318 posts

Your CT trip is going to make for a long day, and you'll miss the quieter morning and evening hours in the villages that are really the best part, but if you leave early enough it's do-able.

Rather than spending just one night in Siena, you might consider a day trip. Then you could get an early start to Rome from Florence the next morning. As you probably know, you'll be in Siena just three days after the Palio; I imagine they'll still be talking about it.

I loved Lucca; it's not a blockbuster-tourist-site kind of place, but it felt like genuine, lived-in Italy. I met several Italians who had moved there from Rome or Florence and preferred the more relaxed lifestyle. And you could definitely see Lucca and Pisa in one day. If you just want to see the Field of Miracles, Pisa doesn't require that much time. The reply above mentioned going there early to avoid crowds. Late afternoon/early evening also works well; the buildings stay open late and most of the day-trippers are gone.

Regarding spending hours in art galleries, I wasn't too enthusiastic about going to Florence for the same reason - people talked about the art, the art, and the art, and it didn't excite me. But Florence turned me into an art lover. There's so much beautiful work, and not just in the museums; the frescoes in the churches are mind-boggling. Plus, there are plenty of places to visit beside the museums.

Posted by
1540 posts

I would recommend Lucca rather than the Cinque Terra. I stayed 3 days in Lucca and loved it.
But if you only have 1 day, rent a bike, ride around the city walls, climb a couple of the towers and enjoy wandering around Lucca.