Going to Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice in Spring, 2004 - really don't want to drive (will utilize train, etc) Question: Once in Florence, are there day excursions available (would appreciate web/e-mail addresses for these vendors) to view the countryside (Siena, Cortona, etc.) Also, can anyone direct me to a web site re train schedules? First time for Italy and I've so many questions.

Thanks for your help.

Do a search and find a post titled something like " Useful information-Italy". Very helpful stuff.

Hi Girl,

You can find train schedules and most prices at www.trenitalia.com.

You can take the train to Lucca and the train or bus to Siena. SITA bus schedules are at http://www.sita-on-line.it/

You can also take the bus to San Gimignano.

Many folks prefer the bus to the train.

Thanks Bob and Ira for the info. I don't know what I'd do without this forum of exchanging information!

Have called up http://www.sita-on-line.it/......information is in Italian. On some web sites, I've had a choice of converting infomation given into English...is there a way to accomplish this on this web address or any suggestion of another web souce re bus schedules? Thanks very much.

Hi naturegirl,

Now is your time to learn to use the translator at http://www.freetranslation.com/.

You will also find these threads helpful

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34454761

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

There are buses in Florence which leave from the train station that can take you to S. Gimingano and Siena

Here's the Florence-Siena timetable:

http://www.sienaweb.it/territorio/trasporti/rapida.htm

For San Gimignano you will have to change in Poggibonsi, where there is usually a connecting service within a few minutes.

Cortona is easiest by train. The station is below the town, but there is a connecting bus service up the hill.

Pisa and Lucca are also easy by train.

The SITA sight has timetables in the Chianti area.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Grazie for the information - I've a lot to learn; but a most willing candidate.

Must share some good news I received yesterday: The airline we are using allows for a stop over in one destination (without a fee penalty / on our way to Italy) and now PARIS is being added to our trip. Another dream to come true - even if our stay will be limited. This traveler is EXCITED. Thanks for your help.

Naturegirl...what airline are you using that allows one stopover? I'd love to have that option for my trip next autumn.Thanks for the tip.

Our situation might be different from someone actually purchasing a round trip ticket....we used accumulated miles on United Airlines to virtually pay only the taxes for the round trip. United made the flight reservations; working with US Airways (departing Philadelphia to Paris).....Lufthansa is the carrier from Paris to Frankfurt and then Venice. Returning from Venice to Frankfurt and then Frankfurt to USA, Lufthansa is the carrier. Only drawback is we don't have direct flights on any leg of the journey....but then again, my share of the taxes for the trip is $87.00. I can't complain. Hope this helps.

make sure you really block a full day if you train into siena...the wait sometimes for the bus in from the station is long and we waited last month for over a half hour for a cab from the station!