Tania

I'll be staying in Florence for a week and a half this summer, and have already slotted 3-4 of those days in Florence itself, 2 day trips to Sienna (for the Palio) and have three days left to do day trips in short proximity to Florence. <BR><BR>It seems that the more I research in my travel books, the more indecisive I become.<BR><BR>I'm hoping that first-person suggestions might help me clarify my decision, so the question is this: Which three Tuscany destinations would you recommend as the ultimate day trips from Florence? (I'm looking for magic; but then again, aren't we all?)<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>tania

dean

I have a posting Toscana Suggestions you can find by doing a search on "dean" and "Italy" <BR><BR>My own choice for three day trips would be the following: <BR><BR>Take the 4 lane south from Florence in the direction of Siena. Return via the Chiantichiagna. Stop at Monteriggioni, , Abbadia di Isole, Castellina, San Donato. You can stop in Panzano as well.<BR><BR>Day 2- Montalcino and Monte Oliveto Maggiore. This day ia an are and wine lovers dream. Monte Oliveto is a superb monastery with an incredible fresco cycle by Il Sodoma and Signorelli. Montalcino is home to Brunello one of the worlds great red wines. The enoteca in the Fortezza Medici in Montalcino is superb. You can visit St Antimo as well.<BR><BR>Day 3 I would go to Voltera in the morning to see the Etruscan Museum, the Roman theater and Le Balze. After lunch go to San Gimignano and wander about. Be sure to watch the sunset from the Medici gardens at the top of the town. Then try dinner at Il Pino before a late night drive back to Florence.

steve

We did day trip to Monltelcino and Pienza. Near Moltelcino we visited a winery and participated in a tasting. Pienza has some remarkable Rennaissance architecture.

Tania

Thank you both! Well, I'm narrowing it down, and so far, Montalcino really appeals to me, and is now on my short list.<BR><BR>After reading these posts and Dean's (wonderful) summary of Tuscany destinations, my worry is that a lot of these spots won't necessarily be do-able (or would they?) as I won't have a car. I forgot to mention that my limitation on this trip is that all my travel will be done by bus or train. So if I'm travelling by bus from my Florence base, might I not be limited to one town per day? (I don't want to spend the whole day travelling! I prefer a more liesurely pace, as I'll have 25 days total in Italy.) <BR><BR>Also, I'm interested in one of my days being spent in a town where I can include an afternoon (or full day) of hiking.<BR><BR>tania

hess

If you are training, I would suggest Pisa. The whole Campo dei Miracoli, where the tower is, is beautiful. I was there 20 years ago when you could climb the tower, and I would definitely go back now that you can do it again. It is WIERDER than you might imagine--very disorienting--and fun.<BR><BR>I concur on the Fortezza in Montalcino, though it is far even by car. As a consolation prize, check out the Enoteca Nazionale in Siena (also at the Fortezza) for wine heaven. Unlike in Montalcino, which obviously specializes in Brunello, the Siena enoteca has wines from all over Italy (thousands of bottles on display; hundreds to taste/buy) plus music and a pleasant setting. Nice counterpoint to the Palio. By the way, to me the best part of the Palio was not the race itself (insanity!) but the different cantoni marching in with their incredibly elaborate medieval costumes and twirling their flags. When I went back, I got myself a convenient perch and watched that and skipped the race.<BR><BR>For other day trips, I would check train and bus (SITA or LAZZI) schedules on line to help you narrow it down.

Kristina

I spent 2 weeks in a tiny town about 40 miles from Florence called Poppi. Poppi doesn't have much but a 14th century castle, but it is charming.<BR>We did day trips to Perugia, San Gimingano and Arezzo which I loved. <BR>The Carthusian Monastery right outside Florence is also worth a visit.<BR>If you want to see the details of the trip, go to <BR>http://www.wired2theworld.com/italy.htm

CATorres

Tania,<BR><BR>How fun...Italy is wonderful! I would recommend the Cinque Terre Region. It's five quaint towns north west of Florence. You can travel between the towns via train or a great mini hike. Each town has it's own personality, from super touristy to completely native.<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR>Christina

Tania

Hess- Pisa is a consideration, but I've heard horror stories about the hoardes of tourists. Found a site with the bus schedules for day trips from Florence. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the last ones thought of. Thanks.<BR><BR>Kristina- I've bookmarked your site and started reading it. Pretty interesting and possibly helpful.<BR><BR>Christina--Cinque Terre has interested me from the start, but unless I stay there, I don't think I'll see it the "right" way with only a few hours there.