We have about 5 days planned in Florence and would like to take an excursion into Tuscany. Any suggestion for town? Assisi? Lucca? Siena? What's the best way to get there - rental car or train?

I would rent a car and go to Siena. Stop in Monteriggioni for lunch.

We took a nice drive to Pisa and then went on to Lucca for the afternoon. If you only want to spend time in one place, I'd opt for the latter. I believe it is about an hour, more or less, from Florence via the Autostrata. <BR><BR>BTW, if you are looking for a nice dinner in Florence, I highly recommend La Girostra. Great food, nice decor and a very friendly staff. Also, I might suggest La Moussacce, which is just down the street from the Doumo. Communal tables, great food, and a good mix of locals and tourists. Havre fun.

anyone know anything about Fiesole? It's listed in Frommer's as a Florence day trip.

First choice--Siena--by bus<BR>Second choice--Lucca---by train<BR>Third choice--Fiesole--by bus<BR><BR>Fiesole is very close--on the hill above town but worth 2 hours.

I agree w/Bob. But I prefer the bus to Lucca, since it drops you within the walls (right next to the Tourist Information office, where you can pick up a free map.)<BR><BR>NB: The bus to Fiesole is just the local Florence city bus. A pretty ride there and back, with a ruined ampitheater (good for a picnic lunch, which is a better option than the limited choice of restaurants) and nice small museum.

If you take the train to Lucca, it is a very short walk to the center of town within the walls. From the station, just go across the street and a block or so to your left and you will be inside. From there it's not even 5 minutes to the main drag.<BR>So take the bus over the train if that is your preference, but not on the idea that the train is inconvenient or far away.

just got back from florence and tuscany.tuscany deserves more than a day trip. san gimingano and volterra are a must. i am sure you can find a tour. siena will take a day. if you rent a car, rent it at a location that will get you to the highway with ease. it is about a 30-40 minute drive. if you can try to stay in siena and tour the countryside-palazzo ravizza is the place to stay-ask for a garden room. we spent 3 days in the countryside and 3 days in florence-we needed another day in the countryside

Hi Alison,<BR><BR> See<BR>http://www.comune.fiesole.fi.it/new_site/fiesole/english/index.html<BR><BR> for information on Fiesole.