jz166

hi there,
We allocate 5 days for our upcoming Euro trip. This will be my wife's first time to visit Italy, mine 3rd time.
Right now we plan to spend 4 days in Rome, 1 day to Florence. But my wife is asking if Pisa is also doable. ok, good question, so we could change to 3 days in Rome, 1 day in Pisa and 1 day in Florence, and we fly out of Pisa (instead of Rome) to Paris.

Is Pisa/Florence worth the change?

thanks a lot!

Jean

You wouldn't be exploring any of the three cities in depth, so whether Pisa/Florence is "worth" the change is your call.

If you only intend to see/climb the Leaning Tower and the rest of the Campo dei Miracoli, you don't need a full day. If you want to climb the Tower, buy your (timed) tickets in advance. You could stop in Pisa for a few hours before your flight to Paris. There is luggage storage at the Pisa Centrale train station and at the cloakroom near the Tower.

I couldn't see everything I'd want to see in Florence in one day, but apparently some people do that. Is your one day there the same day you're traveling from Rome?

evvlabs

Make it two days in Florence and do Pisa as a day trip from Florence. You can do Pisa in a half day, and by staying in Florence two nights, you limit the number of hotel changes. Then you could fly out of Florence.

sandralist

I think seeing the monuments of Pisa on your way to the airport (if you can take an evening flight) makes more sense than doing a day trip from Florence and going back to Florence.

If you have been to Rome and Florence before and your wife is more excited to see Pisa then I would make sure she gets to see Pisa even if it means eliminating some time in Rome or eliminating Florence entirely.

jz166

Thanks Jean and evvlabs!
yeah, we plan to take early morning train from Rome to Pisa, then go to Florence for half day trip. We will spend the following day on Pisa, and fly out of Pisa in the late afternoon.
I understand it would be much better if we stay in Florence, but the difference of air ticket price is almost $200+ per....

Sassafrass

It does not make sense to go to Pisa from Rome, then back to Florence for a half day, then back to Pisa.
How about this?
Rome - 3 days.
Day 4 - take an early train to Florence.
Store your luggage at the left luggage place in the train station, and tour Florence for the day.
In the early evening, catch the train to Pisa. Stay the night in Pisa.
Be sure to check the times to pick up your luggage and allow plenty of time before catching the train. Also, if you plan on any museums in Florence, buy tickets ahead of time to avoid standing in lines.

Day 5 - wake up in Pisa and visit Pisa in the morning - fly out in the afternoon.

jz166

Sassafrass, your idea is great! thanks a lot!
Thanks a lot to sandralist too!

pctraveler

This may sound odd, but the first time I saw the Leaning Tower, we were on a train from Florence to the Cinque Terra; the train stopped in Pisa -- I saw the tower; that was enough for me. Now my lovely wife had other ideas; later we were on an Oceania cruise and stopped at Livorno. We took the train to Pisa and toured the Tower. The only issue I recall is that it was difficult to get a cab back to the train station, but we finally were able to do so.

I suppose that my sole contribution would be to see the Tower -- if that is important to you -- but to minimize the time in the city of Pisa.

flanneruk

"Need suggestions for 5 days Italy trip"

You can't afford it.

Stay at home with the rest of the whingeing Yanks

sasaco

Flanneruk: how about giving some helpful advise instead?

AllyG3

I would honestly spend 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Florence. My husband and I LOVED Florence...so much to do and see! We used "Walk About Florence" and did the "best of Tuscany Tour" and absolutely loved it. It is a one day tour from Florence that includes Pisa. I highly suggest it! It was the highlight of our 2 week trip to Italy.