tetesf

I will be going to Italy for 7 days and will be spending 2 nights in rome and then take the train to florence for 3 nights, i have 2 nights left and wanted to visit the coast near Grosetto. But don't know if this is worth it or should I just stick to doing side trips from Florence or visit other places near Florence. I will be going in early june. Any suggestions will be appreciated.Thank you

VolCrew

Tetesf, this should be posted in the Europe forum.

happytrailstoyou

There is so much to see around Florence. Sienna, for sure, and then there is Assisi, Lucca, San Gimignano, and more.

Have you considered three nights in Rome?

HTTY

ira

Hi t,

Is there a reason for skipping Venice?

caroline_edinburgh

I would stick to Rome & Florence, adding the extra days to Rome - it's a big place with the main sights fairly spread out. Bear in mind how much out of your 7 days will be lost in travelling (arriving/transferring/departying) - leaving maybe at most 4 full days in Rome & 2 full days in Florence ?

tetesf

Thank you all for the suggestions...i have never joined a forum so I didn't know how to go about it....I'm going with my daughter to celebrate my 60t birthday...and we have both been to venice and don't want to go back..i would stay more time in Florence, but she was suggesting visiting the coast...

tetesf

sorry...while in florence i will be going to Sienna and a tour to the countryside...im not much of a museum person either...interested in the sights and beautiful countryside

uflecku

Tetsf, assuming you are flying in and out of Rome why not end your stay there instead of starting it since you probably have an early flight to catch they day you leave. Push through upon landing and take the train to Florence.

7 nights split between Florence and Rome is a good way to spend your time. That said, if you're less into museums and more into scenery/countryside why spend 7 days in a city? The day you go to Siena and "tour" the countryside will likely be 3-4 hours in Siena and then a stop in a hill town (Sam G maybe) with a bunch of driving in between. Instead of touring the countryside have you considered staying in the countryside? Rent a car upon landing, drive to Montepulciano/Southern Tuscany (2:15 hrs) or Greve/Chianti (3:00)? Spend 3 or 4 nights at an agritourismo/restored villa exploring the towns, and food, of the region (which could include Siena and Florence if you wish). Then drive back to Rome and ditch the car for the last 3 or 4 days. Driving around may sound intimidating but it's actually quite easy.

Rome and Florence are certainly different types of cities, but cities nonetheless. You might enjoy some time in the country. Just a thought.

chillout

I would spend the two days in Venice- not doing so was a big regret of mine. I once spent a week between Rome and Florence and found out the hard way that Rome is surprisingly small and I should have spent the extra days elsewhere. All the main sights are clustered within a small area; it's nowhere as big as London and Paris.

bilboburgler

I'm with uflecku fimd a nice little town in Tuscany and do some of the local walks on via bianca or is it via blanco for a couple of nights. You might even hire a bike, loads of pretty places to enjoy the country from

Staying overnight in St Gim is pretty nice so why not here? If not somewhere like Pienza (the night time outside dining on the cliff edge is great here as you can see the stars and very little else). if you surf on Tuscany in this forum there will be loads of ideas

mamcalice

It is hard not to include Venice but you will enjoy Florence and Rome so much more if you have a little time to stay. There is so much to do in Florence and Rome that you could easily spend the entire 7 days in one place and still not come close to seeing everything!

kybourbon

Does anyone read a thread anymore?

>>>and we have both been to venice and don't want to go back

happytrailstoyou

Does anyone read a thread anymore? Thanks for being there to admonish those who read only the original post.

Tetesf, If you like scenery, it is hard to beat what you will see in visiting towns near Florence. However, If you want "to visit the coast near Grosetto," I suggest you do that. I think you will get satisfaction from doing whatever it is you have been wanting to do.

HTTY

macanimals

If Venice is out and you still wish to visit the coast, perhaps 2 nights in the Cinque Terre would work. You could train there from Florence upon your arrival and return for your visit to Florence.
Grosseto would likely require a car to explore (and would be best for visits to the Tuscan countryside).

BTW-2 nights in Rome will only give you one day to explore and that could be limited due to jetlag.

uflecku

The CT is great, but I think you really need to consider the logistics of getting around. Sure you can do Rome, Florence, CT and back to Rome in 7 days but I'm not sure when you get to exhale with an itinerary like that. I suppose you could land, train directly to CT (4 - 5 hours, depending. Gets you there mid-to-late afternoon). Spend nights 1 and 2 there. Train from CT to Florence (3-4 hours, arriving early afternoon). Spend nights 3, 4 and 5 there (working in the day of touring Siena and the countryside you mentioned) and then train to Rome for nights 6 and 7 (train is about 2 - 2.5 hours, though a Eurostar can do it in a bit less than 2). Train times aren't including getting to the station, wait time between transfers, and then getting to your hotel at the next destination). Might work for some, but not for me.

tetesf

Thank you all that have replied...i have discarded the idea of the coast...too much...i don't feel comfortable driving..that is why I was basing myself in Florence to do all the side trips...i love the countryside but need a car!!
Again, thank you all for the great tips!!