Pisa, SIena, Assisi, Cortona???? What to do in each of these cities or pass on some, or add some no one talks about but are "must sees".

Want quaint towns, winerys, shops...life as a native, not a touristry town. Spending 3 days in October in Florence area....want things to see and do? Want to experience "Life Under the Tuscan Sun". Walk the villages, buy wine, eat Gelato(?), shop, pasta......

HELP!!!

D.

I'd suggest a day trip to Sienna. It's lovely.

How are you arriving in Florence? By car, by train from somewhere else? Flying?

I ask because I am going to Florence in July for a few days (well, just 3 nights really, and fly in and out of Pisa airport (from the UK).

We arrive at Pisa mid-morning, and my plan was to get the train straight to Florence. I've rented an apartment for 2 nights

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/appartam...d_appartam=152

We have been to Florence before so have no essential must-sees this time. But this is my daughter's birthday trip and she wanted to go back to Florence! We'll spend that first afternoon there, maybe going up to Fiesole to watch the sun go down.

The next day we want to go out somewhere and are considering Siena, San Gimigiano, Volterra, Montepulciano among others. We will be using the train and /or bus, and it will be very hot in July so we are umming and aahing about this. But I'm very interested in reading other replies to your question because I too need some recommendations on this!

On the third day we will have to get the train back to Pisa where we are staying the last night. Probably get the train early afternoon. That will give us several hours to explore Pisa that day, and a little time the following morning before going back to the airport.

I'd wanted to go to Lucca but don't see how it can be fitted in, unless we get to Pisa in good time, see it that afternoon, and go to Lucca for dinner that evening.

So looking forward to more answers...

www.lucca.info prettiest town not crowded...

Hi D,

>Spending 3 days in October in Florence area...<

That gives you time to visit Florence and Siena.

PS,

I think that the floor of the Duomo in Siena will be uncovered when you visit, but check.

Just came back from Italy. We spent 3.5 days in Florence. First 1.5 days we stayed in Florence and did the Accademia, Duomo, Uffizi Gallery and walk around Florence (the markets, etc). Next we went to Siena (day trip) and next day we went to Pisa (1/2 day) and back to Florence to savor our last night.

There is a tour out of Siena to San Gimignano and Chianti for Euro 38/person for 6 hours, including wine tasting and light dinner. We wanted to do it but the tour is only offered on Wednesday, Friday and one other day. We were in Siena on Thursday (hik), very disappointed but can't do anything. Might want to check those out!

jgliu and others... thank you for great input.

jgliu - Very interested in the Siena day trip for wine tasting and dinner. We will be in Venice Fri-Sun and in Florence Mon-Wed, taking a train to Rome on Thurs a.m.,Sooooo.... I want to plan the wine tour on Wed. Do you know company name to do so, etc. And how do we get from Florence to Pisa Tues and Florence to Siena Wed? We will be returning after day trips to Florence hotel. Whew!

Thanks thanks thanks

D.

If you really mean you don't want a touristy town, don't go to any of those places. They are all extremely heavily touristed towns, among the most touristy in Italy.

Dawn - sorry I can't remember the tour name but you might want to contact the Tourist Information in Siena and ask them for brochure. I also found this on the internet that might help: http://www.viator.com/Florence-tours...f=02&aid=g2429

Florence to Siena - we took the SITA bus (bus station is next to the train station). They have buses every 1 hour or so. No need to prepurchase, just go there on that day and get the tickets.

Florence to Pisa - we took the train to Pisa. This is a local train thus you can't pre-purchase like your other tickets (like I mentioned in the other blog). Again, they have trains every 1 hour or so, just go to the train station that day and get your tickets.

I can check my receipts to see the costs. Both are very minimal (around Euro 6 - 8 per person one way).

jgliu - Wow. You are amazing. Thank you so much for all this GREAT info. You are like my little travel agent. Yeah.

I am travelling with my mom and sister. Can't wait to cherish these travel times afterwards...my mom and I went to Paris in 2007, still reflecting back on that trip and laughing/crying, we are such goof balls and had a blast...no worries, we came upn many "happy accidents" as she called them. LIFE is ti be lived and boy did we...ha.

Dawn - you are very welcome. I enjoy reflecting back on our trip and recreating it again - wish I am still there!

I checked my receipts - the bus to Siena was Euro 6.80/person/one way and the train to Pisa was Euro 5.60/person/one way.

Have the best time in your life!