As part of a 3 week trip to France and Italy, we are planning to be in Florence for 5 days. <BR>I am now wondering if that is too much time to spend in Florence. Opinions please. <BR>Can anyone recommend any side trips? <BR>We are planning a 1 day excursion to Siena.Ï

sorry no one has answered you yet.Your question is rather broad as it would depend on your interests-- on my three week trip I took two full and two half days there--2 nights --I think it was enough because it can be tiring and you always want to leave something for the next time.There is other places as well-I went to Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as Italy--but I did not do Rome. I think any less time there would have been frustrating for an art lover-Go to the Cinque Terre a couple days

Florence is a small town. Excluding any day trips everything is concentrated in a very small area. <BR>The Academia has David, the Uffizi and Pitti Palace and a few other sites such as the Vecchio Bridge, etc. <BR>Allow the good part of a day for walking and take a bus up to Plaza Michaelangelo (Sp?) for a great view. Walk back down. <BR>2-3 days max should do it.

I've been in Florence many times, probably for a total of a month, and still have not seen everything. Having said that, I know you can see the "must-dos" in about 2-3 days. I'd still stay 5 days, though, and use the additional time to travel to some of the outlying towns, like Fiesole or Siena (a must IMHO). There are a number of day trips you can take from Florence that will make your stay even more enjoyable. Pisa is a good one if you haven't been there. If you do a search on this forum, you'll find lots of suggestions. Have a ball in one of my favorite cities.

Three days in Florence was enough for us. But we are not huge art lovers so the Uffizi and the Accademia were plenty. If you feel you must see other museums, such as the Bargelo, Medici Chapels, Pitti Palace then you'd need more than 3 days and 4-5 would be about right. When you burn out on museums, be sure to go up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for the view over Florence and the River Arno. The day trip to Siena is a great idea. Cinque Terre is a bit far for a day trip, but definitely something I would trade 2 aways two days in Florence for! Other popular day trips include Lucca, San Gimignano, Fiesole or other Chianti region towns. Pisa is one of those have to see once places but otherwise not very exciting to me. <BR>(Note: I love Rome more than Florence, so if your itinerary doesn't include at least 4 days in Rome, that's another one I'd reduce the Florence-stay in exchange for)...but all of this is very individual.

Jay, <BR>We just returned from Italy and spent 2 days in Florence and easily could have spent an extra day. We "did" the Uffizi and Accademia which are breath taking and otherwise just enjoyed the atmosphere of Florence. If you are looking for a place to stay I have the name of a great B&B in Florence which put us in walking distance of everything. We also spent 1 day in Siena but easily could have spent 2 and before arriving in Florence we had 2 days in Cinque Terre and loved it. <BR>Maureen

Some people go to Florence and never go home.. the owner of the hotel wev'e stayed at,. having said that I think 5 days if you are doing 1 day trip to Siena will let you see the major sights. I personally like to chill out and enjoy the pace of a city, not rushing thru museums, racing from place to place, but everyone has a different idea. Once went to Rome as a first stop in Italy and never left for 3 weeks, still had more to see,but thats how we like to travel. Hope your trip is later inthe year , friends just got back and said it was so crowded. You must go to Fiesole, only a 15 minute bus trip up the hill, but a whole other feel than Florence. walk to the top of the hill on the left as you get off the bus, glorious views, see the monument to resistance fighters in WW2 , have lunch and as I said CHILL, it will still be there the next time you come.

Jay, <BR>We have a house just 30 min. up the Serchio River from Lucca. We go to Florence for Lunch, culture, shopping. <BR>I arrange small group tours for people <BR>and have found that 2 maybe 3 days is <BR>plenty for Florence. The side trips are <BR>the best. Cinque Terre, Viareggio, Torre del Lago, Montecarlo for the white wine. Montecatini is great. But most of all we love Lucca. Small beautiful and lots to see. Have fun, we never get tired of being in that area <BR>of Tuscany even living there. Don't overlook the seaside at Rome. Ostia Lido is fun and a wonderful break from the city. Quick trip by Metro into the <BR>center of Rome for the day. <BR>

For the first time, 5 days sounds just right. <BR> <BR>Short side trips: Fiesole, maybe Settignano <BR> <BR>Full-day side trips: Siena, Cortona, Pienza, maybe Montepulciano

5 days will allow you to see Florence in a leisurely way. What could be better?

Jay: <BR>I just returned from four days there and could easily have spent double that. Besides the wealth of treasures to see in Florence itself, there are so many interesting towns within two hours by train or bus: Sienna, Lucca, Bologna, St Gio., Pisa. <BR> <BR>Regards ... Ger