Florence, Italy - What "must visit" cities?
 

Everyone talks about the norm, Pisa, Siena, Assisi....I know I want Pisa for the Tower and other sites in Pisa but what other quaint cities should be visited? I want to "take in" the quaintness of Tuscany....people, culture, wines, shops, gardens, villages, etc. Any wine tasting/tours? Flea Markets?

Spending 3 days in Florence, 3 days in Venice and 3 days in Rome.

Thanks to all who respond!!!

D.

If it were me, I'd spend my 3 Tuscany days in Florence, especially if you're an art and museum lover. There's a ton of great stuff to see there (Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, Uffizi, Accademia, Il Bargello, Duomo and Baptistry and Campanile and Duomo Museum, Medici Chapels, Medici-Riccardi Palace, San Marco, Ponte Vecchio, several churches), and you can easily spend 5 days seeing it all. Siena is lovely, but will take a day to experience, while Pisa would take up about half a day (everything you'll likely want to see will be in the Duomo area).

hi Sawn,

bachlunch is right - if you are interested in art and art history, in 3 days you hardly have time to go anywhere else. but if you want the "quaintness" of tuscany [not sure I'd call it that, "charm " might be a better term] IMHO you are not likely to find it in Florence which is pretty full of tourists.

I know that the 3+3+3 combo is very popular, but it can be overwhelming. personally, I think that staying outside Florence, either in an agritourismo, or a much smaller town, is a much better middle stop between Venice and Rome, as it gives a proper contrast to the art and "culture". but if you are locked into Florence, you wil surely want to spend your time there seeing the sights listed by bachslunch, rather than getting out of town.

regards, ann

With only three days, I wouldn't leave Florence either. You can begin to get a feel for "gardens and villages" while staying in Florence by doing a few activities.

One activity--take the #7 bus to Fiesole, a small hilltop town overlooking Florence. There are some ruins to visit, a few churches of interest, suburban "villas" and gardens, and a great view of the sunset over Florence.

Another activity--take the local #12 or 13 bus or a taxi to Piazzale Michelangelo. This is a scenic overlook where all the tour buses stop. It affords a lovely view over Florence and also of the neighboring hills--you can see one of the ancient walls marching up the hill. Just down the street, visit the church of San MInato al Monte and its cemetery. Then walk down the hill back into Florence, passing houses with green gardens along the way.

ellenem- Ahhhhh! How picturesque(sp)! Sounds right up our alley. Might do activity # 2 first day and activity # 1 2nd day to see sunset.

We will still travel to Pisa and Siena for a wine tour, have to to a wine tasting!

Thanks so much.

annhig - what small towns between Rome and Venice would you recommend for the "charm" we are wanting. We have to visit Pisa and Siena so maybe a train from Rome to Arezzo (Cortona)?
We will be in Rome Fri-Sun - Florence(?) Mon, Pisa Tues and Siena Wed, Venice Thurs-Sun, Fly home Sun. Pisa and Siena are set on those days with plans. Where Mon?

D

You won't much of a view from Fiesole in the middle of August, at least not like the view you'd get on a cool winter day with a blue sky. It's still a pretty sight, but expect to see the mid summer haze blanket Florence.