Tuscany how long

How many Home Bases will we need to see what we have planned to see? Are there any "must see" places that we have missed, but are close by? Can you recommend accommodation around Euro per night for these areas? Can you recommend any day tours that will allow us to see more than we could on our own? Is there an Italian equivalent to the Swiss Pass or should we get a Eurorail Pass or simply travel train by train as required?

If you can only answer questions directly associated with Tuscany, could someone please point me to another forum where I could get some valuable info on the rest of Italy? Thank you in advance. Lourdes The Tuscan Expert ;- Staff member. Italy is best experienced slowly so you might be doing too much Ciao Steve, I've personally traveled around Italy so can talk of places I've personally been at but as you've already seen, we are specialized in Tuscany and therefore can best offer suggestions for the part of your trip here.

I'll try to answer as best as I can in general. You can definitely see most of the places you have on your itinerary by train but keep in mind that they are a lot to cover in days and a car would help move along - no time wasted on timetables and taking the right trains or buses. Having said that, I understand that coming from Australia Italy looks pretty small in comparison and you want to pack as much as possible in - but Italy is packed with treasures and art, to really savor the spirit and taste of Italy you'll have to take something out.

Each place is different and has its own character, Italy is best experienced slowly and not in a rush. Getting back to transportation - a car would come in handy in visiting around the lake area and Tuscany as they are regions and not a single place. The other places are cities and well connected by train - but you can certainly see both the lake area and Tuscany without a car by integrating day tours into the areas that would be hard to get to with public transportation in Tuscany, that would be the Chianti area.

Getting back to your questions You could go see the Castello Sforzesco where there are several museums - although as far as art goes, I really loved and recommend the Brera Gallery. Lake Garda - 1 day - a guided tour here would be best, although you could take the train to a town on the lake and just enjoy the time there. Don't know the area, sorry. Venice - 2 days - you will get lost in Venice with its small narrow streets and bridges, plan on doing it regardless because that is its magic It takes a while to get to and around the island so take it easy with at least 2 days there.

On Day 10, take the early bus from Montalcino to Volterra transfer in Siena. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Share. Even on a short trip to art- and history-packed Tuscany, take time to enjoy the countryside. By Public Transportation Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and Siena are readily linked by public transportation, but not all hill towns have rail service. But the beaches of the Maremma region, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in southwest Tuscany, are wonderful to explore.

The coast is dotted with quiet coves, pine forests, and wide stretches of white sand. Further north, near Livorno , the clifftop castle known as Castello del Boccale makes for an incredible photo op at sunset. Other highlights on Tuscany's shoreline include the resort of Castiglione della Pescaia , which faces the islands of Elba and Giglio , the beautiful seaside town of Portoferraio , and the quaint fishing village of Porto Azzurro.

Needless to say, it's not hard to find a good seafood dinner in this part of the country. For an overview of the whole region, try this ten-day itinerary , which begins in Florence, then takes you to Pisa, Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza, and Lucca, where you'll take a pasta-making class.

With a few more days, consider this similar two-week itinerary takes you to Montepulciano, Pienza, Siena, and Pisa and includes truffle-hunting in the forest and a winery tour at Brunello di Montalcino, plus a detour to the Cinque Terre in Liguria for a day of hiking. Read this article for more on how to get off the beaten path in Tuscany.

Whether you have two days or two weeks, Tuscany is a wonderful destination. Travelers short on time should focus their energy on Florence and the wine region of Chianti, while those with five days can road-trip to medieval highlights like Siena and San Gimignano. With a week, slow down and take a pasta-making class — and with ten days or more, spend some time exploring Tuscany's gorgeous coast.

Italy has a very efficient, if occasionally delayed, train system. That way you will have more flexibility and will be able to explore places that trains might not go to. We spent a bit of time wandering around the Piazza, admiring the beauty of the Pisa Cathedral, Pisa Baptistry, and Camposanto Monumentale. The buildings are all open to the public and you can visit also the interior.

You can climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and enjoy the view over the rooftops of Pisa. The Duomo of Pisa with the Leaning tower in the back.

The baptistery of Pisa in Piazza dei Miracoli, Italy. After Piazza dei Miracoli we wandered around the streets of Pisa, exploring the cute cobbled streets, doing a bit of shopping and walking along the River Arno. No Italy trip would be complete without a culinary experience, so make sure to try some traditional Tuscan food for your first night in Pisa. Exploring the off the beaten track courtyards of Pisa. Budget: Safestay Pisa — This hostel has spacious dorms, big communal areas and a fun social atmosphere.

What else can you ask for from a hostel? Click here to see prices and availability at Safestay Pisa! Mid-range: La Terrazza Sui Miracoli — Central location, spacious rooms and a beautiful terrace with view over the roofs of Pisa without breaking the bank.

Ticks all the boxes if you ask me! Click here to book your stay at La Terrazza Sui Miracoli! Click here to see prices and availability at Palazzo Cini! The Leaning tower of Pisa with the Duomo behind it. Siena is a beautiful city, with a wonderful old city centre. The historic city centre has remained pretty much intact from the medieval times, and is distinguished by its typical medieval brick buildings.

Needless to say, with few cars allowed within the city walls, walking around the medieval streets is pretty magical.