Daytrip from Florence: Cortona or San Gimignano recommended?
 

Want to take a day trip from Florence on July 5th of this year with my family of 4 which includes 2 teens. Which destination would you recommend? Cortona or San Gimignano?

Other places we will have visited in Italy include Rome, Pompeii, Capri, Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre.

I can't speak for Cortona, but we took the bus to San Gimignano for a day trip from Florence and thought it lovely. Lots of tourists, but still....wonderful architecture and great views of the countryside. We wished the weather was better - we would have gone for a walk in the surrounding area.

Bus was easy. Go to SITA bus station and ask for ticket to San G. You have to transfer in Poggnibossi (sp?), but its very simple.

Naxos

Loved San Gimigano although it was crowd.

Assuming public transport I would take my family to Siena---by bus is the easiest way. Neither Cortona nor San Gim. have direct connections.

I've been to SG twice. First time it was lovely, second time it was horribly crowded and it was market day (Thursday) and it's not a nice market in my opinion...looks like a Walmart under tents. It blocked all the lovely views around the "cisterna". Glad I had seen this town previously or I would have left with negative impressions. I really liked Cortona. If you do go, be certain to visit the Museo dell'Academia Etruscan...very sophisticated, lovely museum.