Greetings,

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Italy. We will fly into Venice for four days, take a train (not sure which one or how that works) to Bologna for two days, on to Florence for 8 days, to Rome for 3 days. We're then flying from Rome to Santorini in the Greek Isles, and we'll be there 6 days before returning to Athens to fly home.
Yes, this is our vacation of a lifetime! So, to cut down on frustration, which between us will - well, you know the story - I would like some help in trying to plan the best way in which we will travel between each destination point in Italy.
Also, any advice on using Florence as home-base and getting around Tuscany (Lucca, Siena, Pisa, Assisi, etc.) is truly most appreciated.
Thanks brotherleelove, if you see this, as we are looking into Al Campaniel in Venice. You and Eloise are giving great advice!

Since I already got a mention - thank you! - I will butt in here to say that eight days in Florence are too many, even if you are the most ardent Renaissance art and architecture fan.

Three or four days in Florence, then four or five days outside of Florence, somewhere near Siena, from which you can explore the Tuscan hill towns, including Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza, not forgetting the abbeys of Sant'Antimo and Monte Oliveto Maggiore, on either side of Montalcino.
But the only way to do this comfortably is by renting a car. Driving on the two-lane roads in Tuscany is NOT difficult, traffic is relatively light, and the scenery can be spectacular.

As someone who loves Rome, I would also add that three days are too short. You need at least that just to get into the swing of the city. My advice would be, skip Bologna (there is really not much there; if you must eat there once, you can get there by train in an hour from Florence) and add the two days to Rome.

And now I've probably given you a whole lot more advice than you wanted...

I opened your thread because I couldn't figure out what "inner travel" is -- meditation maybe?

You may get some good response here but you'll have a much better chance if you repost w/ at least "Italy" in the title (and more detail/cities would be even better)

I was posting at the same time as Eloise, so you obviously got some very good response already.

But for future - the forum will work better for you w/ more informative titles.

Janisj: I admit I wondered about the "inner travel" bit myself...

Hi G,

Train schedules in Italy are at www.sncf.com.

You want Venice San Lucia station.

Considering that you want to make daytrips, I would reduce Florence to 7 days and add the day to Rome. this will give you 3 days for Florence itself.

From Florence, you can visit Pisa and Lucca (same day), Assisi, and Montepulciano by train.

For Siena, take the SITA bus. Station is close to the Florence SMn train station on Via S C de Siena.

See http://www.sitabus.it/wps/portal

You might find the Florence portion of my trip report helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Have a nice visit.

You can also check Italian rail schedules at www.trenitalia.com

The station for the main city of Venice is Santa Lucia.

There is no reason IMO to book any train tickets in advance especially if you will be in Vencie several days prior to traveling. You can buy your tickets there and all at the same time.

Fastest way between Venice and Bologna would be on a Eurostar which comes with an automatic seat reservation; otherwise take a slightly slwer InterCity train.

Train to Pisa from Florence takes one hour each way and there are frequent timings throughout every day. The bus seems to be a more convenient way to get to Siena from Florence if only because the bus station in Siena is located closer to the main part of the town itself; you can do it by rail but the Siena rail station is down the hill below the town and requires a local bus ride or short cab ride.

I agree that three-four days is more than enough for Florence itself..you'll be thoroughly statued and musuemed-out by that time.

What's "inner travel"?

[-o< "oooooommmmmm"

Eloise,

Can you share some guidance on renting the car? I agree and appreciate your suggestions on staying in Florence fewer days and out to Siena for several days. I thought that using Florence as a home base and branching out to all of the hilltowns made sense, so I'm really glad to have your insight.

Do you suggest renting a car in Florence? Any tips on this?

Any suggestions on accommodations in Siena are appreciated, too. Bed and breakfast? Thanks so much!

Here's what I found on "inner travel": http://www.innertravelbooks.com/ That can't be what the person wants, or can it?

Hi G,

The site for train schedules in Italy should be www.trenitalia.com (Sorry about the error)

For auro rental check the prices at www.novarentacar.com and www.autoeurope.com.

>...suggestions on accommodations in Siena ...<

What's your budget?

I'm sure it varies with one's personal interests, but my wife and I spent a very enjoyable week in Florence, and we didn't even do any day trips.

I know some lodgings will give you a better price if you stay longer, and I think it would be more pleasant to day trip out of Florence than to be packing your luggage and moving every other day.

Its your call, of course. I am biased because I really enjoy seeing great art and architecture. Others have suggested day tripping to Florence!

Believe me, a car in Florence is only a nuisance! Either you have to find a free parking space (ha!) or pay through the nose to put it in a parking lot or garage.

We already had a car when we arrived in Florence (my friend had driven down from Germany), so I'm not terribly up on renting cars in Florence.

Everyone here and at www.slowtrav.com seems to be in agreement that Auto Europe is the best way to go, i.e., to rent from them on line from here. They probably have several pick-up locations in Florence. If you put <Auto Europe +Florence> (without the arrows) in the Search Box, you should find some helpful hints.

We stayed at the Palazzo Ravizza in Siena, a lovely hotel within the walls and with a a private - free! - parking lot just outside the walls.

www.palazzoravizza.it

I was thinking more of an agriturismo (working farm with guest facilities; they're all over Italy) somewhere near Siena. One that I've seen very good reviews of is Sant'Antonio.

Check out these reviews of vacation rentals at www.slowtrav.com:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/lis...uscany%20Siena

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/lis...uscany%20South

Some can only be rented by the week, but many will accept shorter rentals, particularly if it is not in high season.

But these are only of use to you if you want to follow my suggestions of what to see in Tuscany.

The places you have listed - Lucca, Siena, Pisa - are all easily accessible by public transport from Florence. Lucca and Pisa by train

www.trenitalia.com

and Siena by bus

http://www.sitabus.it/sita-toscana/o..._SI%202005.pdf

Assisi is more complicated and best done, if at all, by train from Florence, and it will still take 2.5 hours each way at best. The best train (no changes) seems to leave at 8:09 a.m. and arrive in Assisi at 10:38. You then have to take a bus up the hill to Assisi, but they are frequent.

In the final analysis, only you can decide where you would like to go. For the places you have named, Florence itself is the best point of departure.

If the Tuscan hill towns I have suggested appeal to you, then it's easier (and most probably cheaper) to do it from an agriturismo near Siena.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time! Italy has never disappointed me in all the years that I've been going there.