Help with Tuscany Itinerary
 

So I'm now working on the second protion of our trip...Tuscany. Here's the schedule and a list of the towns we'd like to see. Any comments on things to leave out, must sees, etc. is greatly appreciated!!
*Mon. May 3 Rent car in Rome & drive up to B&B outside of San Gim, explore San Gim.
*Tues. May 4 Tuscany
*Wed. May 5 Tuscany *Thurs. May 6 Tuscany/Florence
*Fri. May 7 Florence Duomo, Uffizi, Accademia
*Sat. May 8 Pisa, drive to Venice (drop off car)

Towns we'd like to see: Lucca, Pisa, Florence, Fiesole, Sam Gim, Volterra, Siena, Cortona, the Mont's, Pienza and Orvieto.
I realize that's alot and probably too much for our short visit, that's where I need help. Which towns are easy to breeze thru, which ones require more time, which ones can we skip altogether? We like architecture, history, scenery, food :), and some art.

Am I cramming too much into the one day in Florence? We're not huge art fans so I think we'll be able to do both museums on the one day. Should I move the Duomo to the previous day? One of those days we want to take the #7 bus to Fiesole as ira has many times recommended, it sounds perfect!

Thanks in Advance!
Allison

You do have a full schedule. I would select 3 cities,perhaps Pisa, Volterra and Siena. But I would do my best to spend more time in Florence. It is incredible.
Towns like Volterra and Orvieto are very similar (hilltop stoned walled cities) if I remember correctly, so just pick one.
Try to slow your pace down so you can open a bottle of wine, eat fine meats and cheeses while sitting next to the leaning Tower of Pisa is always nice, rather then jetting in and out of various cities to simply snap a few photos and to say you been there. There's a differnce between being there and enjoying there. Anyway, you'll be going back again and again like the rest of us, so just enjoy yourself.

Thanks for your comments. I realize all the towns listed aren't do-able on this trip. I'll try to do some more research on what we can't miss. I've got the DK Eyewitness guide but haven't made it to the Tuscany chapter yet. If anyone else has any input it's much appreciated. Thanks!

Hi adogear,

Fiesole is just a 20 min bus trip from Florence. Take the no. 7 bus from the train station.

Since you are starting out in Rome, I suggest you give Orvieto a 1/2 day on your way to Siena.

I Sette Consoli is a great place for lunch.

I Sette Consoli Pzza Sant?Angelo 1A phone/fax 011 39 0763 343911

<I Sette Consoli is a great place for lunch>

ira, this restaurant is on my short list. As much as you have been advertising it, I'm hoping it will be as good. How much can I expect to pay for lunch for 2 with wine? ((a)) ((b))

Hi bud,

In Sept, 2003 the lunch special was 40E pp. I think wine was extra.

Everyone at the table has to order the special.

Was it like one of those tasting menus where you get 5-6 courses?

What did you have?

We usually splurge for the evening meal. Since we are spending the night, I'll check it out. ((b))

Thanks ira! I was thinking that would be the best way to check out Orvieto. We are planning on leaving Rome around 12:00pm to head to our B&B.

Just thought of another question...
We need to have our rental car back in Venice at 12:00pm. It's 3 hours by car, right? Guess that leaves out our last day to really do anything. Oh well.. just means more time in Venice. :)

Adogaer, we were confronted with the same dilemma on our 2002 trip to Tuscany: Too much to see in too little time! Unfortunately, you really can't breeze through any of the towns and get the full joy out of your experience.
I strongly urge you to buy the DK Eyewitness book specifically devoted to Tuscany. It's called Top 10 Tuscany, and we found it invaluable in our planning and really helped us narrow down our choices. And still, we didn't get to everything on our A list. It certainly doesn't help that places like Siena just about demand that you spend at least the better part of a day there.
The obvious solution, of course, is that we've just got to go back!