Does anyone have suggestions for day trips from Florence (where our hotel is located)?<BR><BR>I am venturing to Italy for my honeymoon in a month. We are spending a good deal of time in Rome and then traveling up to Florence. I am sure by the time we arrive in Florence, I will be ready to get out of the city and see the famed Tuscany valley. Any suggestions on where we may venture (train/bus) to see the countryside, drink vino, and enjoy italy?

If so inclined, Pisa's an easy day trip by train.

^<BR>Yes, there are several places that make easy daytrips. In order of my personal preference.<BR> 1. Siena<BR> 2. Lucca<BR> 3. San Gimignano<BR> 4. Pisa<BR><BR>If you'd rather do a daytrip as a guided trek, several posters have given positive experiences using Caftours. They have a daytrip out of Florence, going to Siena & San Gimignano.

my vote would be for Siena. it's very doable in a day and you can still get back to Florence for dinner if you wish.

You can take the bus to Siena or San Gimignano. Fiesole is also about a 20-minute busride away. There are also guided tours offered through CAF tours and the Accidental Tourist that you can join. (I haven't actually used either.)

Stacy, Also, for a quickie away from the city without getting on the bus, cross the Ponte Vecchio and take a walk through the Boboli Gardens. This would be a nice place to bring a picnic lunch.

I had the most interesting wine course in a small village just north of Siena, but you would need a car to get there.<BR>If you are interested in having more information contact [email protected] -I promise it's worthwhile! Have fun in Tuscany - it's a great place, ciao Martina

We have taken the bus from Florence to Lucca and also Siena. Very easy trips and the countryside views from the bus windows are good. We took a bus from Siena to San Gimignano (sp?) which was also an easy trip and very worthwhile. I would guess there are many buses from Florence to San G also. Enjoy your trip; this is a beautiful area.

I took the CAF tour to Siena and San G. and really enjoyed it. We also really liked their Chianti tour (half day). Depending on how long you are in Florence, I would do a half day to Pisa (1 hour train, then walk to the tower area... the town is delightful), and a late afternoon visit to Fiesole (#7 bus, takes 20 min.) Have dinner, or at least a glass of wine, while you watch the sun set over Florence. Bella!

I spent a few days in Montecattini Terme and thought it was beautiful. For a great view you can drive or take the funicular railroad up to the older village of Montecattini Alto. It's about 30 minutes from Florence if I remember correctly.

Best day trip out of Florence, easy contact Dario at [email protected], he will take you to see the most incredible off the beaten path places. I highly reccomend

Try as well www.christinastour.com she's a great gal and very funny!<BR><BR>Syno

We took a great day trip from Florence to Montelcino and Pienza. In Montelcino we visited a winery and were able to sample the wonderful Brunello di Montelcino wine. Pienza is famous for its Rennaissance architecture. This was arranged for us by a very good guide named Paola (www.florencetour.com).<BR>We also had a birthday dinner at a private villa arranged for us by a small company called The Accidental Tourist (www.accidentaltourist.com). The women we dealt with there was named Majla and she was wonderful. They also do bike tours, cooking classes and winery visits. A friend took one of their cooking classes and enjoyed that.

I would not trip during the day. Too many people will see you acting like an idiot. Wait until dark, so then nobody can see who you are. I suggest the mushrooms. God Bless.