I will have 4 days to visit the three cities during my travels. How should I divide my time? Which city deserves 2 nights? Is Florence the obvious winner? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

How are you traveling between cities? Meandering in a car or scheduled by train? Do you prefer big cities to small cities or towns? If you have a full day in Florence, and fit in Accademia and Ufizzi (can be done easily) and spend one night there, you may be perfectly satisfied. If you love big cities, you'll want two nights to sample the social atmosphere a bit more. We spent 2 nights in Florence, and 2 nights in the countryside so we could spend one daytrip on Siena. Next time we will spend a week in the country convenient enough to Florence and Siena so we can go back to each. They are really neat cities.

Scheduled by trains... <BR> <BR>Thanks Diane. I don't know what I really enjoy more. If I am in Florence for a day, i definitely will not spend the entire running from one museum to the next... I guess I like to absorb the atmosphere and charm of the cities I visit. <BR> <BR>So you would recommend 2 in Florence still?

I prefer Siena over Florence, which is over-run with tourists and can be fairly unpleasant. But if you stay in Florence two nights, you can take a quick local bus trip to Fiesole (beautiful little town on a hill right outside the city) and Lucca, about a 45-minute bus trip. Have fun!

You've set yourself a daunting task! You could easily spend all four days in Flroence and not see it all! Two days in Florence will barely scrape the surface of its charm and atmosphere! While I understand your reluctance to "spend the entire [time] running from one museum to the next," a visit to Florence is not complete without at least a stop to see Michelangelo's David at the Accademia. <BR>Assuming there is convenient transportation, it seems most logical to take a train from Florence to Siena, stay overnight there and then take a train to Assisi (or go to Assisi to stay overnight there) and then return to Florence after seeing Assisi (assuming you want to end up in Florence).

Tough call. Totally depends on what you like. Florence is fun, a bit on the touristy side. Siena was nice, a bit less overun, but touristy just the same. Beauty of it is, you can change your mind at any time. I like the "fringe" cities myself. More charm. Good luck.

Fiesole is a great alternative to stay as a home base for Florence. There are a few tried and true affordable hotels---very impressive ruins---and it is just 15 minutes by bus to Florence.

Abe:<BR>I was returning to Italy for my second trip with my husband who was going for the first time. Since we were not going to have time to go to Florence<BR>(I loved it) and were doing other places I wanted to tell you that Assisi is a wonderful city to visit. The<BR>churches are unbelievable and the shopping is very good too. We also had<BR>a great lunch there. Email me if you need the name . Don't overlook Assisi<BR>if you have the time for a visit. You will not be disappointed.<BR>Kay

The "fringe cities" of Italy? Give me a break.

Now, Seamus, I would like to read few a few threads without someone's opinion being attacked.

imo I would spend a minimum of 2 days in Florence and 1 day in Siena. Ideally, 3 days in Florence if you had more time. There is a lot to see and do in Florence. As you know, there is the Uffizi, Accademia and Pitti Palace museums; There are longlines to get into the first two museums unless you have an advance reservation. Also, don't forget the Duomo. I can't imagine seeing this wonderful city in just one day.

Although Florence is a wonderful city, with many extraordinary works of art and Siena is beautiful as well, don't miss Assisi. You can get the flavor of Assisi even if you have only a half day. It is one of my favorite places. We visited in 1994 and had some dishes made. They were made especially for us and mailed to us in the US. We are spending 2 weeks in Tuscany this July and plan to go back to Assisi on our way to Chianti just for one night. Guess what, we have already called to make sure we can order more wonderful dishes to match the ones made for us before. Enjoy all. Don't miss the David in Florence. As for timing, I would suggest a day in Assisi, 2 days in Florence, a day in Siena.

I listened to the people here who said you only need two or three days in Florence and that's what I planned. What a disappointment!!!! I wish I had planned at least 5! Fiesole is a lovely place, too, and the bus ride is quick if you don't want to stay in the city, but con't cheat yourself with just a few days - there is so much to see! I loved Siena even more - try to spend at least a couple of days there INSIDE the walls so you don't spend all your time walkign and make dinner reservations for the Cane e Gato restaurant or have yummy meal at the dinky place (&amp; a $100 cheaper!) on the first street to the left of the tower as you're facing it - I can't remember the name, but there's a review/article by Frances Mayes and one from Fodor's or Frommer's in the window. Try Il Barroccio in Florence. Have fun!