I, my DW and two DD's (13 and 16) will be in Florence in a few week's time and we are thinking of taking a day trip to either Sienna or Pisa. Any suggestions on which is the better choice?

Sienna for me. I love the medieval feel of the city after dark when the daytrippers have departed.

If it's an either/or question, I'd say Siena. If you opt for Pisa, I'd fit both Pisa and Lucca into the one day. It's easily done. If you go to Pisa, I recommend that you walk from the train station to the Campo di Miracoli. Pisa is an interesting University city in its own right.

For search purposes, Siena has one n.
http://www.comune.siena.it/ilturista/?lan=ENG

Unless your daughter's have to see the tower in Pisa (mine did), I would think you would find more to do in Siena.
http://www.comune.pisa.it/english/

And if you want to climb the Leaning Tower, you should make reservations.

Many posters here on Fodors will say that Pisa is a waste of time. I bet that all those have been at least once and vow not to return.

While I agree that going out of your way for a return visit to Pisa is not a high priority, I'm in the camp that believes that the leaning tower is one of those must visit once sights.

If you will leave Italy wishing you'd been to the tower then by all means make day trip.

J62 - My daughter was unhappy that she didn't get to see the tower on earlier trips so when I asked everyone's priorities for our last trip, that was her one "must see".

BazzaK - Pisa is a little over an hour train ride from Florence for about 5E per person. If you want to climb the tower you must have timed reservations.
http://www.opapisa.it/index.php?id=217&L=1&T=2

Hello BazzaK, when our daughter was a teen we took her to Pisa as we were driving to Florence. I am so glad that we did. Of course back than one did not have to make a reservation to climb the tower which sure made it easier. If your daughter's want to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa I would take them there. The Duomo and The Baptisry are very beautiful and are right there where the Tower is located so you could enjoy seeing them also. And Lucca on the way back to Florence would make a delightful stop.

If you four decide to go to Sienna for the day versus Pisa do take the bus versus the train as the train lets you off outside of the city wherein the bus takes you into Sienna.

Have fun planning your trip!! Your daughters are at a delightful age to travel throughout Italy with and you all will have beautiful and fun memories forever.

You can do both take the train to Pisa and the bus to Sienna. We did and we enjoyed both trips. The trips were a beautiful trip. It was easy. Get out the train station at Pisa and take the local bus cross the street and catch the one going to the leaning tower and the beautiful cathedral. Sienna bus trip was through Tuscany mountains. The city was beautiful. Visit my web site to see pictures of Pisa. I have not placed our Sienna trip on it yet. emilyandjim.info

Siena over Pisa any day - way more to see and do.

Sienna as others have said is the better city. Pisa is worth about a half day. If your family wants to see the tower then go to Pisa and see Siena next time. The tower and the other buildings are worth seeing but that is about it.

Of the two, Siena. The Duomo and Campo alone make Siena worth visiting, and if you read up on the history, and start to look into the importance of the Contrade of the city, and the palio, then you could easily spend several days exploring.

That is not to say that Pisa is not worth seeing. I think people come from Florence, and then are disappointed. My parent's first glimpse of Italy was Pisa, and they loved it.

The Campo dei Miracoli is rightly on the list of UNESCO world heritage sights. The Duomo is the equal of nearly any in Italy. The two museums in the campo are both worth spending time at. Strolling down along the Arno is quite pleasant if you are not in a rush on your way back to the train.

I am waiting for the opening of the new museum (Scheduled for 2009) that will house the remains of the Roman boats that they dug out while extending .Rossore station.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...21/ai_60270446

Bazzak - we were in Florence over the summer for 4 nights. We did a day trip to Pisa, we were traveling with our two daughters 10 and 13 at time of travel. I suppose I am glad we went to Pisa - they got to see the Leaning Tower...

Over all though? I would not recommend it to others unless they were dying to see the Leaning Tower. It was my least favorite area of all of Europe that we saw. I have not seen Sienna so cannot comment on it.

Here's another vote for Sienna.