Lola88

We're traveling to Venice to take a 7-night Mediterranean cruise. We're flying to Italy 4 days early and arriving in Florence. I don't want to spend 4 days driving ALL day but I figure these cities are relatively close to Florence. I need your advice on whether this itinerary makes sense:

11/12 Arrive in Florence, pick up car at airport, drive and visit Pisa / Lucca (1 night)
11/13 Drive and visit San Giminagno / Siena (1 night)
11/14 Drive to Florence (1 night) - return car at airport and take a cab into the city (I've heard driving in Florence is a bit tricky)
11/15 Take train to Venice (1 night)
11/16 Embark on cruise
11/23 Return from cruise, Venice (1 night)
11/24 Return home

Is this too ambitious? Can we see at least a bit of Tuscany this way? Any suggestions?

kybourbon

No, it doesn't make sense. Arrive and stay in Florence for the first 3 nights. One day take the train or bus to Lucca (about 60 minutes and less than 10euro), tour Lucca and train on to Pisa (about 20 minutes from Lucca). Return to Florence by train (about 70 minutes). Another day, catch bus to San G (about 30-45 minutes), spend half of a day and bus on to Siena. Tour around Siena and take late train to Florence.

tcreath

I agree with the above. I would use Florence as your base and just make daytrips from there.

Tracy

willit

I think it is too busy. I am a huge fan of Pisa, Lucca and Siena but if you are going to rush through them, then it would be better, IMO, to stay the 3 days in Florence - a city with more than enough to keep you busy for 3 days. I would not bother with a car.

If you must take a day trip, then do the Lucca/Pisa combination recommended by kybourbon, or take a bus to Siena (75 minutes and €7 each way) The bus/train times mean you can leave early and arrive back late and not have to worry about the driving.

Lola88

Thanks so much for your input. I wasn't sure exactly of the distances so you're suggestions now make sense. My next task is to find a hotel in Florence. I will search the board for recommendations.

Thanks again!