Hello. We will be visiting Tuscany in November. I know...I know...not the best time of year to visit but I enjoy traveling to Europe over the US Thanksgiving Holiday.

We will arrive in Florence on the afternoon of November 22nd and depart on November 28th. At first, I thought about spending the entire 6 nights in Florence with a few Tuscan day trips via train. After much thought, I like the idea of spending some time in Florence and then renting a car and heading on a road trip. What are your thoughts on this itinerary?

November 22nd - Afternoon arrival in Florence. Hotel, relax, a little exploration on foot, dinner, crash....

November 23rd - Explore Florence

November 24th - Explore Florence

November 25th - Pick up rental car and leave Florence in the a.m. -> head to Siena

November 26th - Depart Siena in the a.m. and visit Volterra and San Gimignano -> here's where I'm a little stuck - do you advise heading back to Florence or Lucca/Pisa instead? The Leaning Tower of Pisa would be interesting to see - but Pisa does not sound like it has that much to offer in comparison to Florence.

November 27th - Spend day in Florence or Lucca/Pisa

November 28th - Fly out of Florence or Pisa

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks - Matt

Split your time--half in Florence and half at a location in the Volterra/ San Gimignano area for day trips to all of the above. Look at Podere San Lorenzo near Volterra for a start.

You will see "leaning towers" in almost every city in Tuscany. I don't think you'll miss much by skipping Pisa. Sienna is beautiful. Stay long enough to explore it - especially the floors in the main church.

Hi mj,

The major mosaics "in the nave and aisles are usually uncovered, but the most precious ones under the apse and in the transepts are protected by cardboard flooring and uncovered from August 23 to October 3".

Thanks to all for the information.

TC - I'm leaning with your advice. I'd really like to explore Florence and the Chianti area (Siena, Volterra, San G.) of Tuscany. I don't want to be rushed as it is a vacation.

Anyone else have any advice or suggestions on what to see/not miss?

As always, thank you.
Matt

I've been to Florence for several years in November and have been fortunate to have good weather (certainly by Mid-Atlantic standards) each time. Few crowds and better prices are some of the advantanges. I suggest you stay in Florence, with day trips to Sienna and San Gimignano, giving yourself a full day (or more in Sienna). I was a bit disappointed with Lucca; I would advise exploring more of Florence; there is enough there to keep you fascinated for years. Devote a day to exploring some of the artisan shops.

MJZ - After Florence, if you make Siena your base it will enable you to do some day trips to both the Chianti area (north of Sienna) and the Southern Tuscany area (the crete) south of Siena. You would see the best of both worlds.

San G. would be one good day trip for you. You could stop at Monteriggioni on the way - teeny medieval town where Dante evidently lived or was born. That would get you two towns and a nice day trip.

I would skip Pisa - wouldnt make a special trip to see it. The town is nothing special, the monument is fun to see but its not worth a whole special trip in my opinion. It wouldnt be a big mistake but there are other things that i think would be more worth your time.

Instead I would see Pienza/Montepulciano/Montalcino area. This is the Crete area of Southern Tuscany - different from the Chianti area and stunningly beautiful. There are several beautiful abbeys in southern tuscany as well. Check the Slow trav. website - they have a great itinerary to S'Antimo Abbey. Really unique and fun.

It also depends on what you want to see in Florence. If you want to see all the art etc, then your 3 days is good. If you want the more rural/countryside/small village charm thing - you could stay around Siena and day trip to Florence.

It just all depends on what you like but its all good and you will love it all. But skip Pisa this time in lieu of some of these other things that will stay with you long after you come home. Enjoy.

mjz: Don't know if you've already found a hotel in Florence, but we loved Antica Dimora. A good location for seeing all, easy walking, great staff helped with everything, nice breakfast and nightcaps, beautiful rooms with excellent baths at a very good price. (Ask not to be in the room just off the lounge though). Same owners also have two or three additional properties nearby. One with a great rooftop garden with views of the city. They also have a stunning villa/hotel in Tuscany.

http://www.anticadimorafirenze.it/index_e.htm

The staff set us up with a marvelous young art historian in Florence for a tour called "The Art of Michaelangelo". It was an outstanding walking tour with excellent insight. They can also help with tours into Tuscany. We felt the staff just couldn't have been better.

Good advice sag., chicagolori and TC. I believe we will split our time between Florenence and Siena with exploration of Chianti and Crete (per chicagolori).

TC we're staying at Il Villino in Florence (2nd floor Duomo view) and Palazza Ravizza (loft with view of Tuscan countryside)in Siena.