tclowe

We have two days at the end of our mid-september italy trip (rome, florence, venice & Cinque Terre) in the tuscany area.

We are overloaded w/ info on where to go, Assisi, Pisa, Sienna, etc...I need suggestions...

Any suggestions are appreciated.

harvey

LUCCA WITH A SIDE TRIP TO PISA. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FIELD OF MIRACLES IT IS WELL WORTH SEEING.

ALTERNATELY, IT IS GREAT TO DRIVE AROUND TUSCANY.

OR JUST GO TO ORVIETO. WE WERE THERE TWO DAYS LAST YEAR. LOTS OF GREAT RESTAURANTS, PEOPLE, SHOPPING, VIEWS, AND CATHEDRAL.

I'LL POST MORE IN A FEW DAYS IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION.

ENJOY

faredolce

From what city is your departing flight?

tclowe

We fly standby so we will probably fly out of Florence.

We will not have access to a car - train only.
thanks

faredolce

Lucca/Pisa is a nice suggestion, or I would simply go to Siena. There is so much to see and do there, and it really becomes a different place when all the daytrippers leave. Others here will probably have more suggestions.

missysnow

I would go to Siena and Assisi. Pisa is nice but once you see the tower that is really all that is there. Siena is a 45 minutes bus trip from Florence. On the way you'll see the wonderful countryside. The bus drops you off pretty close to the center. Bus is the way to go anywhere that is relatively close and it is cheap.
I remember enjoying Assisi for the churches of St. Francis.

tclowe

Should I stay at one hotel in the regions or move about?

bettyo70

Not to throw any more confusion into your plans but my top recommendation would be for SIENA -- gorgeous town with beautiful architecture, great sunsets and ingenious city planning.

From Siena, we easily did a fun, scenic drive through the rolling hills of CHIANTI...be-yoo-ti-ful!

And if you want to avoid tourists, my colleague said VOLTERRA was a very special place.

Don't stress out because you will love wherever you end up!

bettyo70

INTERESTING NOTE: I read in a previous "Let's Go: Italy" guide that at one time, SIENA and FLORENCE were HUGE RIVAL TOWNS!

The citizens of each town would fling horse manure into the other's town in the hopes of starting a disease and devastating the other's population!

jabez

Since it's your last two days, I'd recommend staying relatively close to Florence. Chianti seems like a good area. Lucca also seems to fit.
It depends if you'll have a car (it's easy returning one at the airport).
I would not do Siena and Assisi for only two days. They're just too far apart and two days gives you inoly one realistic place to stay.
If you are just training: Lucca or Siena.

joearena99

I would also consider visiting San Gimignano. It is a beautiful walled village with 17 or so remaining towers from the middle ages. Great restaurants, shopping, and beautiful views of the Tuscan landscape from spots on the outer wall.

I will agree with one of the earlier posts that Volterra is another great village. Their claim to fame is wonderful (and affordable) alabaster carvings of birds, animals, etc. You won't go wrong with either of these two towns.

I'd stay away from Pisa. Other than the tower and the Bapistry, there is nothing to see and the traffic is a pain in the neck (so is finding a parking spot).

tclowe

Do you think if we left the Cinque Terre in the am, would we be able to experience Pisa and Lucca in one day while spending the night in whatever city we plan to visit the next day? If so, which city should we go to next? This would be our last day in Italy.

artlover

Another vote for Siena. I think you could happily spend 2 days there.