Minnie1976

Hello, I need some recomendations for side trips from Florence. I will be stopping in Florence during our honeymoon next October 13-17 and would like to do a side trip. I have read about Pisa, Fiesole, Villa Castello, Villa Petraia, etc. But I can't make up my mind. We just want to be able to do something different to visiting museums and cathedrals. We would like to get a feel of the little towns, that I've read so much about. We are Can you please provide some advise??

isabel

The best side trip I took from Florence was to Siena. About an hour on the bus (much better connection than the train). Many people give Siena a couple of days, but a day trip from Florence didn't feel too rushed.

I also took the train to Pisa and then Lucca which was another pleasant day trip. I only spent a couple of hours in Pisa and the rest of the day in Lucca. But in Pisa I did walk from the train station to the area where the Tower/Duomo is, rather than taking a cab. I wanted to see a little of the town and it was quite pleasant.

Minnie1976

Thanks Isabel. Do you think Sunday is a good day to do this side trip? I have already reservations for the Accademia for Oct. 14 and the Uffizi Museum booked for Saturday October 15. I also read about a company called hillsandroads.com that coordinates private tours. I feel more inclined to do the side trip to Pisa and Lucca as you suggested..Maybe book it through hillsandroads.com?? What do you think? Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

adnil1962

We went to Italy last Thanksgiving. I really had my heart set on Pisa to see the Leaning Tower - although it was neat to see in was over in 15 minutes (after it took 45 minutes to find a place to park) and there wasn't much else to do. We had a much better time exploring Siena then driving back though the small towns of Tuscany stopping in various quaint shops and wineries.

isabel

I don't think you need an organized tour. Both of the side trips I took were extremely easy to do on your own. The Pisa and Lucca trip was on a Sunday, Siena was a weekday. I don't think day of the week really matters in either case, unless you were into doing some shopping.

For the Pisa Lucca trip I bought all the train tickets at the Florence train station before I left: Florence to Pisa, Pisa to Lucca, and Lucca back to Florence (they were all really cheap, like about 5€ each). Then I just followed the schedules and got on the trains I wanted. In Pisa I walked from the train station to the Leaning Tower, took about 20-30 minutes, I walked back a different route. I wanted to see a little of Pisa besides the very touristy "Field of Miracles". But I was still only there a couple of hours. I wasn't interested in climbing the tower, more interested in seeing it from the ground.

In Lucca the train station is right outside the walls of the old town, 5 minutes walk or less. You could walk around the whole old town in an hour or so, but I spent the rest of the day there. On Sunday there was an antique/flea market spread out over several piazzas. Don't know if it's every Sunday, or if they have it in October, but it added a lot to my trip there.

Siena is easiest done by bus as the bus stop in Siena is in the old part of the city while the train station is down in the newer town and requires taking a local bus to the old part. But the Florence bus station is right next to the train station (the one you want is to the right as you leave the front of the train station) and very convenient. Nice, modern, airconditioned bus, took about an hour and was about 13€ round trip. I spent a whole day in Siena.

I have photos of all three towns if you are interested. They are at pbase.com/annforcier

Have a great time on your honeymoon.

Minnie1976

Great, I will follow you advise and adventure out on our own. I can't wait! I went to see your pictures and they are amazing! Thanks again. I will make sure I post a trip report when I come back, that way I can give something back to this awesome forum.

ellenem

Fiesole is not really a "side trip" as you don't need to set aside a day for it. It is a town overlooking Florence. I recommend a visit in the afternoon following a busy touring day. Just catch a local bus from the center of Florence. At Fiesole, you can enjoy the views, have a drink in the piazza, watch the sunset. There are some churches and ruins of interest if you want to give it more time, but you can use a trip to Fiesole just as a change from a busy day in downtown Florence.

Sarah

sienna