We will be arriving in Pisa next May and want to visit Florence, the rest of Tuscany and Venice (flying out of Venice). I would appreciate any input on itinerary ideas/how much time to spend in each area, etc. We plan to rent a car in Florence for driving through Tuscany and will leave it in Florence before taking the train to Venice.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
I'll add Lake Garda to the Veneto suggestions by Andrea. In that case I would drive the car there and return it in Venice, which you'd leave for last. In the Garda area, visit Sirmione, Limone, Riva and Malcesine (a full loop can be easily done as a day trip). Sirmione would be a good base for visiting Verona and the Valpolicella (wine area) as well. For Verona you need less than a day and you can park just outside the old Walls. From Sirmione you could even take a whole day drive to the Dolomites. I drove from Sirmione to Ortisei in about 2.5 hours two weeks ago. Leave at least the last two nights for Venice.
Posted by
Milano
60 posts
in toscany: florence siena pisa volterra san giminiano monteriggioni in veneto: venice padova
verona
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
I'd suggest venturing into Umbria. It can be less crowded than Tuscany. I love Assisi (although it can be crowded in the day; but is quiet at night), and there are lots of wonderful hill towns nearby.
Posted by
Wichita
831 posts
Bonnie,
This may give you some ideas http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm