we will arrive in florence on september 6 and have 3 full days prior to our departure for venice on september 10.<BR><BR>we are young, healthy and interested more in outside sites. we of course will see some of the essential museums.<BR><BR>our interest is wine, gellato, simpe dining and strolling through town.<BR><BR>considerations are driving or taking the bus/train around tuscany...visiting sienna and pisa and what may be extreme is to take a day trip up to cinque terre.<BR><BR>can you offer some suggestions and logistics?<BR>we will be staying at the hotel balestri on the arno.<BR><BR>cami

I know it may not be top of your interests but you should take the chance while you can - we are trying to get an English-speaking tour to visit the Vasari Corridor on September 7. This corridor isn't always open to the public and there are very few non-Italian tours. Have a look here for full details:<BR>http://www.italywithus.biz/main_page...vorites_a.html

I would stay in Florence for three days as there is plenty to do (wander the piazzas, shop a little, etc.). Agree that the vasari corridor tour would be interesting (we learned a bit about it from reading). Loved the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens and Piazalle Michelangelo (great view). The squares and side streets in general are great in Florence. I posted a trip report with restaurant and gelato recommendations this morning.

Cami--<BR> Three days in Florence can be time well spent. There are several good itineraries described in major guidebooks such as Fodor's, DK Eyewitness, etc., and I've jsut discovered a nice book, "Piazzas and Pizzas" that is a travelogue of Italy, with many days in Florence. Look these over and see what fits your desires, budget, and interests.<BR> Several things to keep in mind: Italy still takes a mid-afternoon break each day, with many shops, churchs, and some museums closing for part of the afternoon. This can wreak havoc with your best-laid plans, if you don't take closing times into consideration.<BR> Similarly, many of the major attractions are closed (CHIUSO) on Monday. Not sure if your dates include a Monday, but keep this in mind as well. The Roman ruins at Fiesole make a good trip on Monday, since they are open then and it is a simple bus trip up the hill.<BR> The Concierge Association of Florence (or some such title) publishes a nice booklet/guide to the city, with opening/closing times/days for many attractions, and includes a list of things to see/do in the afternoons and Monday. The Hotel Pendini website used to publish this same info online, so you may want to peek at it before you depart, esp. if your heart is set on planning each and every minute.<BR> Also, most restaurants and some gelaterie (such as Vivoli) also close in August and one day a week. <BR> Wear sensible shoes, plan your time wisely, and take time to wander and "do nothing." It is time well spent.

Cami--<BR> Three days in Florence can be time well spent. There are several good itineraries described in major guidebooks such as Fodor's, DK Eyewitness, etc., and I've jsut discovered a nice book, "Piazzas and Pizzas" that is a travelogue of Italy, with many days in Florence. Look these over and see what fits your desires, budget, and interests.<BR> Several things to keep in mind: Italy still takes a mid-afternoon break each day, with many shops, churchs, and some museums closing for part of the afternoon. This can wreak havoc with your best-laid plans, if you don't take closing times into consideration.<BR> Similarly, many of the major attractions are closed (CHIUSO) on Monday. Not sure if your dates include a Monday, but keep this in mind as well. The Roman ruins at Fiesole make a good trip on Monday, since they are open then and it is a simple bus trip up the hill.<BR> The Concierge Association of Florence (or some such title) publishes a nice booklet/guide to the city, with opening/closing times/days for many attractions, and includes a list of things to see/do in the afternoons and Monday. The Hotel Pendini website used to publish this same info online, so you may want to peek at it before you depart, esp. if your heart is set on planning each and every minute.<BR> Also, most restaurants and some gelaterie (such as Vivoli) also close in August and one day a week. <BR> Wear sensible shoes, plan your time wisely, and take time to wander and "do nothing." It is time well spent.

3 days doesn't nearly do Florence justice. When I waas just out of college I 1st spent 10 days there and then returned for another 10 later on in the trip because I felt I hadn't had time to see everything I wanted in the 1st 10 days.

we did what you described as extreme...a day trip to the cinque terre from florene (by train.) it was a long ride, but well worth it. however, once you get to the cinque terre you will probably wish that you didn't have to leave. we took the latest train possible back to florence. it was a very long, exhausting day. also- once in the cinque terre, you can either walk from town to town (it was too hot for that), take the train or a boat. so we spent a lot of time that day waiting for trains or boats. but we loved the cinque terre, especially vernazza, and when we returned to italy the following year we spent a whole week there! it's the perfect place to drink wine, people watch and experience life in a small italian town.<BR><BR>enjoy your trip!

Get a good map, pack a picnic lunch and a bottle of Vin Nobile, rent a car, and head out in the general direction of Siena. Spend the day sightseeing in the wonderful hill towns of Tuscany, find a good dirt road outside of town, and have a picnic under a panoramic sky. Florence is a great city, but the Tuscan countryside is just what the doctor ordered.

Cami, I noticed that you already booked your hotel but from your message, you don't seem very interested in Florence. If that's the case, why don't you rent a car, stay in one of the hilltowns and do a day trip to Florence instead? <BR><BR>If you do decide to stay in Florence, given your interests, I'd recommend:<BR><BR>1) Walks along the Arno at night<BR>2) A visit to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato, a church at the top of the hill<BR>3) The duomo - climb to the top for a better look at the frescoes and a great view of Florence<BR>4) My favorite piazzas for people-watching were Piazza della Signorina and Piazza della Republica<BR><BR>Gelato is everywhere, but save some room for the pastries. Have a panini when you're in Tuscany, just a simple sandwich of tomato and mozzarella but it's so good! Enjoy!

vita and the other kind posters,<BR><BR>thanks for your input. we really do want to stay in florence and wish we had a week there, but our jobs limit the time in italy. <BR><BR>we look forward to our trip and sharing our experience on this site for the benefit of others.<BR><BR>thanks again,<BR><BR>cami