Comments appreciated - Florence - San Gim - Cinque Terre
 

Hi there, I would love your comments on any adjustments you could suggest to my planned trip, I am traveling with my sister and my 9 year old niece. We fly into Pisa and will take the train to Florence on a Sunday. Hopefully we will make it to one museum for a couple of hours before dinner. Staying at the Residenza Johlea II. Monday, since many of the museums are closed we are considering taking a train ride (or tour) to Venice for the day - I did this a few years ago by train and it worked out great but if anyone has another suggestion I would welcome it as Venice is not my personal favorite. Tuesday - Florence and the main museums. Wednesday we are hiring a car and driving down the SS222 through Chianti and spending Wednesday night in San Gimignano (hotel Cisternia). Thursday we are off to the Cinque Terre for 2 nights staying in Vernazza. (Gianni Franzi rooms) and Saturday drive back to Pisa for a late flight. If anyone could comment on the trip or the hotels we are staying in that would be great!

A visit to Fiesole makes a nice afternoon trip from Florence, and the views from the viewpoint are to die for. It's an easy cab or bus ride, as well as a relaxing side-track from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Aine - Day trip options from Florence besides Venice?

- Rome
- Siena
- Pisa/Lucca
- Bologna
- Cortona
- Orvieto
- Assisi
- Arezzo

... to name a few!

Steve

Hotel Cisterna in S. G. is one of our all time favorites. Ask for a room with a balcony and a view of the valley.

Hi Aine,

I wouldn't recommend a day trip to Venice, but do suggest a trip to Orvieto.

I think Statia has a good idea about Fiesole. Your niece would like that better than a museum on the first day.

I just emailed the hotel in San Gimignano requesting a change to our room to one overlooking the valley - Thanks! Thinking about it last night I think I am veering away from that 3 hour train trip to Venice and back. Fiesole will be great for Monday - I think we will bring a picnic from the market in Florence if the day is nice. Thanks again.

We're going to be heading that way in September. Any recommendations on good places to eat lunch in San Gimignano?

Hotel Cisterna has a good restaurant with a beautiful view of the valley.

Yes they do--get the risotto con porcini

Here is hotel cisterna website if you want to check it out - its restaurant has had good reviews anywhere I have seen it.
http://www.hotelcisterna.it