I am planning a one-week trip to Rome and FLorence at the end of March, 2006. We will have 3 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence. We have already purchased a "Hop-on, Hop-Off bus tour for one day in Rome.
What tours would you suggest we take from Florence? We don't really have a lot of time, so two or three tours would be about it. Any suggestions?

Hi M,

4 nights in Florence and 3 tours?

I suggest that you use one day to visit Siena by SiTA bus.

One other 1/2 day could be to take the no. 7 bus from the SMN train station to Fiesole, visit the Etruscan ruins and the town, watch the sun set over Florence from the terrace of the Bar Bleu, have dinner or take the bus back to town for dinner.

Thanks for your response. Would you suggest a day trip to Venice? Also, would you suggest that we book these tours from our travel agent of book them on our own once we are in Florence and if so, would we do this from our hotel? P.S. We do not speak any Italian. My niece is studing there this semester, she goes to school in Rhode Island, USA and we are there for a visit

Hi M,

>Would you suggest a day trip to Venice?

Nope. You will be one of a horde of tourists following the usual paths from site to site and you will come home thinking that Venice is much less than it is.

You should do an overnight, at least.

You don't need a tour for Siena (or Florence for that matter). Get a couple of gide books, do a little research, have a lovely time.

This thread may help:
Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596

I agree sith Ira that you don't have too much time for tours from Florence. However, a day trip to Siena would be very worthwhile. You can easily go on your own by bus, as he suggested, but if you really want to you can find a tour. No, I don't suggest taking a day trip to Venice. But you might consider substituting Venice for Rome.

PS,

If it were me, I would do 3 nights in Venice and 4 in Florence

Or

A week in Rome with daytrips to Orvieto and Ostia Antica.

Can't change the itinerary...hotels and flights already booked