Comments on: Itinerary for 4 Days in Florence

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:11:33 +0000

1. Can you skip Siena? Of course! It’s your trip – you can do whatever you like. If staying in the Cinque Terre is more important to you, then by all means cut a day wherever you need to.

2. You need to look at train times to figure out how long it takes to get from the Cinque Terre to Pisa and then from Pisa to Florence, so you can figure out how much time you want to spend in Pisa. When I did it, I was in Pisa for about 2 hours – but you can do it in less if you want to.

By: Varun

Varun — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:45:40 +0000

Jessica, i am trying to follow your 2 week itinerary.

1. I would want to spend extra day at Cinque Terre and reduce a day atFlorence. Can i remove the day trip to Sienna? Is that advisable?

2. While travelling from Cinque Terre to Florence via Pisa, how much time should we give to get down at Pisa, leave bags, see the leaning tower and then catch return train?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:01:52 +0000

I recommend buying tickets in advance if possible, but if not – definitely try the “secret” ticket booth right when you get into Florence to see what’s available:

http://www.italylogue.com/things-to-do/super-secret-uffizi-ticket-booth-in-florence.html

By: Mark S

Mark S — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:00:01 +0000

If your are going to Florence and are planning on staying only a few days and are planning on going to the Uffizi Gallery I would recommend buying your tickets in advance. When we were there we had planned on going to the Uffizi on our second day. Not thinking the place could be sold out we went there late morning only to find they sold out for the day and wouldn’t be able to go. We were leaving the next day which meant we wouldn’t be able to see it at all. If there are any specific places you want to see there you should check with each place to see if there is a chance of a sell out and if so get your tickets before you leave.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:57:39 +0000

Easter is one of Italy’s biggest holidays, so it can be challenging to travel during that weekend – you’re not just fighting tourists for space on trains and highways, you’re fighting Italians who are going away for the weekend. Read more about Easter in Italy here:

http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-trip/easter-in-italy.html

As for driving in Tuscany, I don’t have any driving routes to recommend (I prefer the trains or letting someone else drive), but here’s what you need to know about driving in Italy (I especially recommend using GPS, so you can turn down whatever road looks interesting and still find your way back):

http://www.italylogue.com/featured-articles/driving-in-italy.html

I would suggest that if you’d like to spend a few days driving through Tuscany, choose a homebase that isn’t a big city – driving in/out of (for instance) Florence or Siena is a pain. Choose a spot like San Gimignano to stay in, because then it’s easier to drive in/out for the few days you’re exploring by car.

By: nateniale

nateniale — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 06:57:47 +0000

Hi Jessica
Thank you so much for the 2 weeks itinerary. It looks great and I think I’ll be following it quite closely! Planning to go to Italy end of April, starting from the Easter weekend. Would it be crowded during that time?
My main question is actually this – I have always wanted to drive around Tuscany. I have the postcard perfect image of rolling hills of Tuscany with beautiful medieval towns. Where would you recommend for a 2 day drive around the area (excluding Florence)? From what I have read, Siena, Le Crete and around Volterra and San Gimignano sounds good. Are there any small towns that you would recommend?
Appreciate your advise! Thanks!

By: Rick Morneau

Rick Morneau — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:43:01 +0000

Hello Jessica — first, thank you for the useful information and you have a wonderful writing style. And now for my question: The Uffizi Gallery is having Caravaggio in Florence but what is not clear to me is do we need to buy tickets to the Uffizi and then another ticket to see the Caravaggio exhibit? In the US special exhibits usually require you to buy a special ticket for the exhibit. Would you happen to know if that also applies if purchasing the Caravaggio Card?

Thank You.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:20:50 +0000

Thanks for the recommendation, Margaret!

By: Margaret Cowan

Margaret Cowan — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:45:46 +0000

Since you’re already at Piazzale Michelangelo in your itinerary, walk a bit further along the main road to an even better panoramic view point and one of Florence’s most beautiful churches, San Miniato al Monte. Inside this 1000 year old church, a real jewel, you’ll feel awed at the soft coloured frescoes, the multi-coloured painted beams, the amazing mosaic on the ceiling at the back (make sure you put a coin in the machine to illuminate it), the playful, mythical characters in inlaid stone, the naif sculpture, the cloister with its forest of columns reminding me of Cordoba in Spain etc, etc.

This church has a special energy for me, always has, so I take a slow walk around, sit on a back pew to take it all in once again and let my thoughts flow. If I’m not clear on something, I am clear on it after my hour in San Miniato. Then I sit outside and admire Florence some more.