One day with teens - Florence or Tuscany?
 

My family including teenagers will be traveling from Venice to Umbria in June. We will be staying at a villa in Umbria for one week. Even though we have a week in Umbria, I would like to utilize our travel day as a tour day also. Since we will already be up and going I thought it would be best to make the most of this day and reserve an extra day in Umbria for relaxing/slower paced day.

My plan is to take the morning train from Venice to Florence arriving at 9:30 am. Then we have two options:

1. Be picked up in Florence by a private guide for a day trip of Siena and maybe San Gimignano, Monteriggioni or Volterra. Drop off at our villa in Umbria at the end of the day. Since we are staying in Umbria I thought it might be nice to see some of these towns of Tuscany while we are closer in the area.

2. Store our bags at the train station in Florence. Do a morning guided tour and explore on our own in the afternoon. Train or private driver to Chiusi in the early evening.

I would love feedback on which option might be best given our itinerary, schedule, etc. If we don't do Florence on this travel day we will probably visit Florence later in the week but would have to hassle with the train again. We could also visit Siena later in the week on our own, but don't think we would venture all the way to San G or Volterra.

Thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks

I would do the second option. Makes more sense to me. Lots to do in Florence for the day and depending on where you are staying in Umbria you can do another part of Tuscany (Siena) on a day trip from there. Volterra is pretty out of the way for either option and well, I didn't like San G (I know - now I am in trouble!).

San G certainly gets mixed reviews, especially if only visiting for the day. We are staying near Chiusi in Umbria so doing Siena on a day trip would work, but we would have to give up San G and Volterra. Maybe that is ok as I'm sure Umbria has towns that would be just as interesting.

Thanks for the input.

I would not pass up the chance to take your teens to Florence to see some of the world's most famous and significant art.

Volterra and San G are a long way from Chiusi and walking around them will be less interesting for teens than doing the same in Florence.

Florence, what a wonderful day of art, shopping, walking, more art, more shopping, gelato, etc. i was a teen there, and have been there with a teen daughter. Go to Florence.

I agree that the second option is best. You will see plenty of hill towns in Umbria so Florence will be a change of pace. Florence is a wonderful and beautiful small city and well worth a day's visit.

Another vote for the second option. We were in Florence in February with our Teen (and Tween) and both of them really liked the city. The wandering, the eating, the people watching, and yes, even the Uffizi captivated them for two days, so I'm sure your teens will find a way to enjoy a single day.

Another vote for Florence - small, doable, intriguing.

I'm convinced - we will be visiting Florence on our transit from Venice to Paciano. We will save our exploring of hill towns for the Umbria region and cut down on the driving.

I've talked to a private guide who is available on our date so we should be set.

Thanks for the input - very helpful.

We had a large family group in Florence last year and the teens all loved it.

Hi, I love Florence too BUT the only reason I would consider the first option is if your teens are mad keen on the Twilight Series movies/books as Volterra is the backdrop for them so the teens will recognise places and think you are the coolest parents for arranging for them to visit! ;-)
Depending where you are staying in Umbria, you can take the train back to Florence for the day and as others have said, you can drive to places like Siena, Chianti etc easily - I flew into Perugia for a holiday in the Chianti area and it was easier and quicker than using Pisa!