Did we do good in Tuscany?
 

Well, we went on our trip to Florence for 6 nights staying at the Casci Hotel. We saw the Duomo (with a climb to the top), the Baptistery, Uffizi, Accademia, the Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace/Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo, and St. Croche Church, while in the city. Also, took an evening bus ride to Fiesole for a view of the city. Oh, we had Gelato at various times and places, but didn't get to the highly acclaimed shop in Florence.

Then we took a train to Lucca and Pisa (with climb to top of the Leaning Tower) one day. Last day, we took a train to Siena, where it was fine for a bit and then rained for a little (while atop the tower at the Cathedral Museum across from the Duomo).

We had a great time and know that we probably missed some great sites while there, but we only had so much time (and money)! We just thank God for the wonderful opportunity we had to travel, once again, to ITALY!

Hi Princess,

Glad you enjoyed your visit.

How could you have missed the Pzza Signoria? Or did you? :)

Oh, we didn't miss it at all. It was beautiful! Thanks!

Princess--if someone only has a day in Florence, how would you prioritize your list of sites for a first timer in Florence? On my list is the Duomo, David, St. Croce Church, Ponte Vecchio Bridge and the bus to Fiesole (or the evening stroll with Accidental Tourist). Would you add/delete anything?

Well, we loved the paintings at the Uffizi, but you would need another day, and you need to see David. I think that an early evening bus ride to the Pizzale Michelangelo to view Florence, would be better than the view from Fiesole.

Thanks Princess. Your post and reply were helpful as I'm in the process of compiling all information into my own list for our 5/31 trip.

Jackie,
I realized that I did not comment on the Accidental Tourist. We did not go on any organized tour, even a walking tour. I would have liked to go on one with a tour guide giving me more incite into the history. We used our AAA Florence Guide. What I did notice about groups was that they were rather large and I would think it hard to listen to a guide, unless you just kept close to him/her.

Hi Jackie,

>...someone only has a day in Florence...On my list is the Duomo, David, St. Croce Church, Ponte Vecchio Bridge and the bus to Fiesole (or the evening stroll with Accidental Tourist). Would you add/delete anything?

I guess a day in Florence is better than nothing at all.

Here's my suggestion:

Starting from the train station, walk SE to the Pzza dell'Unita. Go E on Via Mealerancio to the Cappelle Medici (3/4 hr). Follow the Canto de'Nelli (name changes) E to Via Ricasoli. Go left 2 blks to the Academia. See David and the other Michaelangelo stauary. (1 hr).

Take Via Ricasoli S to the Duomo and the Baptistry. (1 1/2 hr).

Take Via Calzaiuoli S to Pzza Signoria (1/2 hr)

Have lunch. (1 hr)

Go S to the Uffizi (1 1/2 hr)

Exit Uffizi and Go W to Ponte Vecchio. Cross the bridge and

A. Go to the Pitti Palace
or
B. come back. (1/2 hr) and go to the Santa Croce, about 1/2 mi to the East along the River (1 hr)

You will want to take a bus to Pzza Michaelangelo.

See http://www.ataf.net/Default_EN.asp
for bus routes.

Have a happy, busy day.

Jackie we were in Florence last month and did the wine tasting walk with Accidental Tourist and absolutely loved it.
We were a very small group, my husband and I and a couple from Australia, an American couple and a lovely young lady from Canada and her German friend. They took us into the hills in a combi mini bus and we had so much fun. Tasted some great wine and olive oil and had a wonderful meal cooked for us on a farm, by the lady of the house. We would definitely do all the tours they offer and regard it as one of our most fun days spent in Italy. We even bought wine and brought it all the way home with us.
I hope you have a great trip :-)

Princess,what a wonderful trip, when are you going back?. We stayed at the Casci in June 2001. I have very fond memories of the family who ran it. The father was like the "soup nazi" from Sienfield. Each morning, he would stand guard over the breakfast buffet and made sure the guests did not eat too much. It was a comedy every morning watching his face and body language as he "intimidated" people.
Thanks Ira, for your Florence one day itinerary...we'll be catching the bus from Perugia for the day in July. I will use this as my guide...it makes the planning so much easier when an expert gives you the bones of a plan.

Sounds like you did a great job of hitting the "must sees" of Tuscany, Princess. Thanks for the report. I'm ready to return myself!

Ira, thanks for your suggestions. I think I got my original list from a previous posting of yours. And, Princess I apologize for honing in on your thread.