Tuscany
 

I am travelling to Tuscany in early September.
Flying into Pisa, staying one night; then two nights in Lucca and two nights in Sienna. After that we have 7 more days before flying out from Rome.
1. Any suggestions for day trips from Lucca?
2. Suggestions for place to go after Sienna - preferred option would be small town.

I think you could stay in Lucca and have a good time for the short time you're there. Walking or biking on the walls is a wonderful way to soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful town. But, if you'd like to travel somewhere else, there is excellent bus service. You could bus from Lucca to Barga, a lovely town north of Lucca. If you're driving, it's an easy ride. Or you could even take a bus to Florence for the day.

suggestions only-go south-Montepulciano-Orvieto(a short train trip to Rome for your return).Day trips from Lucca-Montecarlo-Pisa-Cinque Terre.Sandper

Padhraicin,
Try Pitigliano, or Sorano.

Not sure of distance but we absolutely loved Assisi. We did some side trips from there. Having a driver for the day for six of us was cheaper than the train and there was the threat of train strikes.

Assisi is quite far.

From Lucca you can quite conviently see a lot of the coast. It might be fun to to La Spezia to catch a boat to Cinque Terre, or if you prefer less touristed paces, drive to Lerici or Portovenere.

But might I suggest that from Siena and Lucca that you just go exploring to less touristed places? Pietrasanta, parts of the Alps, Sarzana, San Galgano -- but even more than these destinations, just go driving. The area is filled with marvelous towns and food.

The cathedral in Orvieto is very much worth seeing. Drop off your car in Orvieto and take the train to Rome.

would you consider staying on a farm? Agrotourismo is quite big in Tuscany now, and there are a number of threads about it, or on Slowtravel. I think it can be quite luxurious with pools, meals, etc. Would make a good way of seeing more of the countryside!

thanks for all the suggestions. We will not have a car . . travelling by train and bus. I have been in Assisi before and, although I would not rule out another trip, I do not plan to go there this time.
Was thinking more of small towns en route from Siena to Rome? I have been in Orvieto before but only for a very quick visit so it might be worth another look.
Any towns in the Chianti area that are accessed by bus and have accommodation and food and worth spending a night in?

Close to Lucca would be San Gimignano and also Volterra - both beautiful small Tuscan towns with stunning view -

Enjoy

Consider taking a train down through Grosetto and then switching for Orbetello. You can stay in its sister town of Porto Santo Stefano, and have a boat trip over to the island of Giglio if you like, or just visit the tiny town of Castello. The weather should be splended and you might really enjoy the break from the famous tourist destinations. The food will be excellant.

If you have a car & would like to get off the beaten track, head up to the small mountain/hill towns direction of Barga. Try Coreglia Antelminelli as well. These are not big tourist towns. They are quaint villages that people return to after leaving to make a living in the bigger cities or America.