Travel between Rome to the Tuscany area
 

OK we have 7 days in Italy. We fly into Rome and the plan is to spend a day and half there. We already have day 6 planned in Florence with our hotel booked. From Florence we then plan to take the train to Venice (comments on trains please), and we already have our hotel booked there too :o). So those main steps are complete. Now it is the 4 days in the middle. Here is our list, but it is not set - Siena, Lucca, Pisa and San Gimignano but not in any order. What is the best location to head to first from Rome, and remember we will be traveling with luggage so I know that going to Pisa for a quick stop is out. But we do not mind taking the coast route if it is easier. We also do not mind picking a spot in the middle of these locations, (if there is train access) to make as our base. We are also open to renting a car for a day. We thought maybe in the Tuscany area we would also like to stay at B&B's or somewhere fun, just not the normal hotel. Thank you for reading, and look forward to reading some great advice back. oh and we are traveling in July... :o)

I'm guessing you have already booked your flights and purchased your tickets, so you're locked into flying into Rome and out of Venice.

But I'm confused about everything else. This is what I think you're contemplating:

Day 1: arrive Rome
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: depart Rome for somewhere in Tuscany
Day 4: Tuscany
Day 5: Tuscany
Day 6: arrive Florence
Day 7: depart Florence for Venice
Day 8: fly home

In summary, one full day in Rome, a partial day in Florence and a partial day in Venice. In the 2.5 days in Tuscany, you want to see four towns.

IMO, this is not enough time in Rome, Florence and Venice. Renting a car for the Tuscany days would help slightly, but this is the part of the trip I would skip. I would spend three nights in Rome, one (or two) night in Florence, three (or two) nights in Venice (depending on your interest in Florence v. Venice). If you're not particularly interested in Rome and Venice (have you been to both before?), then spend two nights Rome, four nights Florence (with day trips to San Gim, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, all by public trans), and one night Venice.

BTW, it will likely be very hot everywhere. Depending on how you handle heat and humidity, you may not care to be rushing around seeing the sights in the middle/heat of the day for seven straight days.

Hi Jean,

Thursday and Friday we have planned for Rome
Saturday - Monday (night) in Tuscany
Tuesday - Florence (overnight)
Wednesday - Venice (overnight)
Thursday we fly home :o(

Heat not an issue, we live in CA and I have lived in AZ so I am used to it.

I know it sounds like a lot to do in such a short time, but we know that we will go back.

I live in California too, but Italy in summer is heat AND humidity. More like parts of the U.S. Midwest or the South. And you get the added bonus of crowds everywhere.

Make sure your hotels have A/C. Ditto the car if you rent one.

Plan more time in Florence and take day trips to other towns in Tuscany. Don't bother renting a car.

frankly i would extend my time in Rome and florence; should you get bored with either of them, [unlikely, in the minimal time you have in each] you could do a day trip somewhere.

you could always stop over in Orvieto on your way to Florence. the cathedral front alone is worth the trip.

Thank you everyone. Every little bit of advice helps. Last thing I need to know is taking the train from Florence to Venice is there a fast train?