Help on itinerary and to drive or not
Mar 11th, 2012, 01:10 PM
#1
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Help on itinerary and to drive or not
We are planning to go to Tuscany next September for a 12 day trip which means nine good days on the ground. We would like to stay in Florence half the time and Sienna the other half.
I am not sure that I want to drive although I know that many people on this board think it is the best way to see Tuscany. We thought that we would go to Lucca and Pisa on our own by train from Florence, and hire local guides for day trips in both Florence and Sienna to see other areas of Tuscany -for example- a wine tour one day, a visit to one or two towns with a guide the other days. We haven't decided which other towns we want to see. We don't need a private tour- small group tours are fine. We haven't eliminated the self drive but would prefer this one. Has anyone taken any day tours from Florence and Sienna? Is this a good option?
Thanks.
I am not sure that I want to drive although I know that many people on this board think it is the best way to see Tuscany. We thought that we would go to Lucca and Pisa on our own by train from Florence, and hire local guides for day trips in both Florence and Sienna to see other areas of Tuscany -for example- a wine tour one day, a visit to one or two towns with a guide the other days. We haven't decided which other towns we want to see. We don't need a private tour- small group tours are fine. We haven't eliminated the self drive but would prefer this one. Has anyone taken any day tours from Florence and Sienna? Is this a good option?
Thanks.
Mar 11th, 2012, 01:34 PM
#2
For search purposes, Siena only has one n.
If you have 9 nights split between Florence and Siena, I don't see that you have that much time for day tours. From Florence, you can easily reach Pisa (train), Lucca (bus or train), Greve in Chianti (bus) and several other surrounding towns.
From Siena, you can bus to Montalcino, San Gimignano and several other nearby towns.
The tourist office in both cities will have a list of companies offering tours if you want to do a group tour. Caf tours offers trips from Florence.
http://www.caftours.com/
http://www.guidesiena.it/
If you have 9 nights split between Florence and Siena, I don't see that you have that much time for day tours. From Florence, you can easily reach Pisa (train), Lucca (bus or train), Greve in Chianti (bus) and several other surrounding towns.
From Siena, you can bus to Montalcino, San Gimignano and several other nearby towns.
The tourist office in both cities will have a list of companies offering tours if you want to do a group tour. Caf tours offers trips from Florence.
http://www.caftours.com/
http://www.guidesiena.it/
Mar 11th, 2012, 01:36 PM
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Driving is not a good option if you don't want to drive. The very best advice I can give you is to go ahead and get an International Driver's Permit so you have the option to change your mind once you are in Italy.
Many people have very happy trips to Italy using the trains and buses to see Siena, Lucca, Florence, Pisa, Arezzo, Pistoia, Greve and San Gimignano, and they fill in with drivers or small tours for wineries and some more remote spots.
Keep reading, keep researching so you can begin to see if what you want to do is reachable by public transportation - but don't let the fact that "other people do it" influence you. A zillion people come to Tuscany each year and there is no one right way to enjoy a stay. Ignore the fathead know it alls and consult your inner traveler.
Many people have very happy trips to Italy using the trains and buses to see Siena, Lucca, Florence, Pisa, Arezzo, Pistoia, Greve and San Gimignano, and they fill in with drivers or small tours for wineries and some more remote spots.
Keep reading, keep researching so you can begin to see if what you want to do is reachable by public transportation - but don't let the fact that "other people do it" influence you. A zillion people come to Tuscany each year and there is no one right way to enjoy a stay. Ignore the fathead know it alls and consult your inner traveler.
Mar 12th, 2012, 08:18 AM
#4
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Thank you both for your advice. I should have said that we have both been to Florence and Pisa previously (although many years ago) and probably don't have to spend a lot of time seeing every important sight in Florence We just thought it would be a good base. I also read-I think that it was in Fodors Italy- that buses to the small towns can be difficult to navigate so we were discouraged but we would be happy taking buses if they aren't a hassle.
Mar 12th, 2012, 08:53 AM
#5
The bus from Florence to Lucca is Lazzi (or was last time I took it). Some buses depart across the street from the train station (that's where Lazzi was when I took it) while others depart from a bus hub on the opposite side of the station and a bit around the corner. Bus and train to Lucca take about the same time with the bus being more comfortable and having AC. Cost is about the same.
Here's a bus map for much of Tuscany (not all).
http://www.sienamobilita.it/mappe/Mappa_EXT.pdf
You won't find much Sunday bus service. Be sure to check return schedules so you don't get stuck somewhere at the end of the day. Buy a round trip ticket so you don't have to hunt for somewhere to purchase the return.
Here's a bus map for much of Tuscany (not all).
http://www.sienamobilita.it/mappe/Mappa_EXT.pdf
You won't find much Sunday bus service. Be sure to check return schedules so you don't get stuck somewhere at the end of the day. Buy a round trip ticket so you don't have to hunt for somewhere to purchase the return.
