The Best Day Trips in Italy: Explore More From One City
November 1, 2026
One of the great things about traveling in Italy is that you don’t always have to change hotels to see somewhere completely new. Day trips can be a great way to travel. Thanks to Italy’s high-speed trains, relatively compact geography, and excellent regional transport, you can base yourself in one city and spend a day exploring another.
Instead of packing and unpacking every couple of days, you can settle into a neighborhood, find a favorite café, and still experience the landscapes, food, history, and culture of another part of Italy. And with so many famous cities within a few hours of each other, the possibilities are surprisingly extensive.
Here are some of the best Italian cities to use as a base, and ideas for where to go on day trips from each.
Rome: Ancient cities, Renaissance towns, and the coast
Rome is one of the best bases for day trips in Italy. The capital has excellent high-speed rail connections, putting cities such as Naples within easy reach, while guided excursions make it possible to venture farther south or into the countryside.
A view of the city of Rome
Day trips from Rome include:
- Naples: Take a high-speed train south and spend the day exploring one of Italy’s most energetic cities. Wander the historic center, visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum, and, naturally, eat plenty of pizza.
- Pompeii: Explore the remarkably preserved Roman city buried by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Pompeii is only around 30 minutes from Naples, making it particularly easy to combine with a southern Italy itinerary.
- Tivoli: Head east of Rome to visit the magnificent Villa d’Este and its gardens and explore the ancient ruins of Hadrian’s Villa.
- Orvieto: Travel north into Umbria to discover a spectacular hilltop town crowned by one of Italy’s most extraordinary Gothic cathedrals.
- Amalfi Coast: It’s a long day, but possible. A guided excursion can take care of the complicated combination of transport and coastal connections, allowing you to experience places such as Positano alongside Pompeii.
If you’re planning to take a day trip from Rome, Naples and Pompeii are among the easiest independent options. For the Amalfi Coast, a guided tour can save considerable time and logistical headaches.
Get out of the city, and head to the Amalfi coast
Insider tip: If you really want to experience the Amalfi Coast from Rome, consider making it an overnight trip rather than a day trip. Staying overnight means you can slow down and enjoy the coast after the day trippers have gone. Our 2-day Rome to Amalfi Coast tour takes care of all the logistics, with private transportation, a stay at a 4-star hotel in Sorrento, a guided visit to Pompeii with an archaeologist, lunch and wine tasting at a Mount Vesuvius winery, and time in Positano, Sorrento, and Amalfi. There’s even a sunset cruise along the coast and a visit to a family-run lemon farm.
Florence: Tuscany beyond the Renaissance city
Florence is another fantastic base, particularly if you want to explore Tuscany without moving hotels. Some of the region’s most beautiful destinations are accessible by train or bus, while a rental car or tour opens up the countryside.
The breathtaking view of Florence’s rooftops and surrounding hills
Day trips from Florence include:
- Siena: Explore the medieval streets, Piazza del Campo, and magnificent cathedral of Florence’s historic rival.
- Lucca: Walk or cycle around the Renaissance walls, explore the compact historic center, and perhaps follow in the footsteps of Puccini.
- Pisa: See the Leaning Tower, but don’t stop there: the cathedral, Baptistery, and historic center make Pisa worthwhile beyond its most famous landmark.
- Chianti: Rent a car or join a tour to explore vineyards, hill towns, and wineries between Florence and Siena.
- San Gimignano: Wander beneath the famous medieval towers of this hilltop town and enjoy the views over the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
- Val d’Orcia: For quintessential Tuscany, head south to rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and towns such as Pienza and Montalcino.
The great advantage of Florence is that you can combine a city break with a taste of rural Tuscany without having to sacrifice either.
Learn about the history of wine as you stroll around a Tuscan winery.
Insider tip: Want to experience the best of Tuscany without worrying about the logistics? Join our Florence to Tuscany day trip to explore Chianti, San Gimignano, and Siena with an expert guide. With transportation, a wine tasting, and a full lunch included, you can leave the driving and planning to someone else and simply enjoy the Tuscan countryside.
Venice: Romantic cities and the Veneto
Venice might seem like an unusual base for day trips—you could easily spend a week exploring the lagoon—but its excellent rail connections make it surprisingly easy to explore northeastern Italy.
Venice, a city of amazing architecture and piazzas
Day trips from Venice include:
- Verona: Perhaps the classic Venice day trip. Explore the Roman Arena, atmospheric medieval center, and famous sites associated with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
- Padua: Visit the historic university city and see the extraordinary Scrovegni Chapel, famous for Giotto’s frescoes.
- Vicenza: Discover the elegant architecture of Andrea Palladio in this UNESCO-listed city.
- Treviso: For something quieter, head to this attractive walled city known for its canals, medieval center, and relaxed atmosphere.
- The Dolomites: A much more ambitious excursion, but possible with an organized trip if you want to trade Venice’s canals for dramatic Alpine scenery.
The beauty of using Venice as your base is that you can spend your first few days getting lost among its canals and then escape the crowds for a day in one of the Veneto’s smaller cities.
The lagoons on the outskirts of Venice are a great day trip from the centre
Insider tip: For a change of pace from Venice’s crowded center, spend a few hours exploring the colorful islands of Murano and Burano. Our Premium Lagoon Excursion takes you there by private boat, with an expert guide, a private Murano glassblowing demonstration, a guided stroll through Burano, and a wine tasting on Sant’Erasmo. It’s an easy way to discover a quieter, more authentic side of the Venetian lagoon.
Milan: Lakes, mountains, and northern Italy
Milan is Italy’s fashion and business capital, but its location in northern Italy makes it an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding region.
Milan Cathedral at sunset
Day trips from Milan include:
- Lake Como: Take the train north and spend the day exploring lakeside towns, grand villas, and spectacular mountain scenery. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Milan.
- Bergamo: Explore the atmospheric Città Alta, surrounded by Venetian walls and perched above the modern lower city.
- Lake Maggiore: Head west for elegant lakeside towns, gardens, and mountain views.
- Turin: A longer excursion, but possible by high-speed train. Explore the former capital of Italy, famous for its grand architecture, museums, chocolate, and cafés.
- Bologna: Another longer train journey that can work well for travelers keen to explore Italy’s food capital.
Lake Como is the obvious choice if you want scenery, while Bergamo offers an excellent combination of history, architecture, and food. Walks of Italy’s Milan resources likewise identify Lake Como as a particularly accessible excursion from the city.
Explore Milan´s fashion heritage inside stunning shopping malls
Insider tip: Want to experience a different side of Milan? Step beyond the Duomo and Last Supper and spend a few hours exploring the city’s fashion heritage. On our Private Milan Fashion & History Tour, a local expert takes you through the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Brera, and Via Montenapoleone, sharing the stories behind Milan’s rise as a global fashion capital. Finish with a classic Milanese aperitivo and see the city from a whole new perspective.
Naples: Ancient ruins, islands, and the Amalfi Coast
Naples is not simply somewhere to visit on the way to Pompeii. It’s a fascinating base in its own right, with excellent connections into Campania and beyond.
The history of Naples will surprise you
Day trips from Naples include:
- Pompeii: The classic choice. Take the train and spend several hours exploring the ancient streets, houses, shops, and public buildings.
- Herculaneum: Smaller than Pompeii but exceptionally well preserved, making it another fascinating window into Roman life.
- Mount Vesuvius: Combine the volcano with Pompeii or make the crater itself the focus of your excursion.
- Amalfi Coast: Head toward Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, or other coastal towns for spectacular scenery.
- Sorrento: Enjoy views across the Bay of Naples, explore the historic center, and sample the area’s famous lemon products.
- Capri: Catch a ferry and spend the day exploring the island’s dramatic coastline and elegant town.
Naples is particularly rewarding as a base because the surrounding attractions are so different: you can go from an ancient Roman city to a volcanic landscape, Mediterranean coastline, or island escape in a single day.
Pompeii frescos and arched walls are incredibly preserved
Insider tip: Pompeii is vast, and the ruins can be difficult to fully appreciate without knowing what you’re looking at. Make the most of your visit with Walks of Italy’s range of Pompeii tours, from in-depth and express tours led by expert archaeologists to private experiences and day trips from Rome combining Pompeii with the Amalfi Coast. Whichever you choose, you’ll get expert insight into the ancient city and spend less time worrying about the logistics.
Bologna: Food, art, and the cities of Emilia-Romagna
Bologna is another excellent base if you’re interested in food and Italian culture. The city sits at the heart of Emilia-Romagna and is connected by high-speed rail to several major destinations.
A birds eye view of Bologna
Day trips from Bologna include:
- Modena: Visit the city associated with balsamic vinegar, Ferrari, and some of Italy’s finest food.
- Parma: Explore the home of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
- Ravenna: Discover extraordinary Byzantine mosaics in this historic city on the Adriatic plain.
- Ferrara: Wander the Renaissance center and explore the city’s impressive Este heritage.
- Florence: With high-speed trains, even Tuscany’s capital can be visited on a long day out.
Bologna itself is well worth several days, particularly if you’re a food lover. The city is the culinary heart of Emilia-Romagna, famous for its fresh pasta, rich ragù, mortadella, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
One of the world’s most famous sculptures, Michelangelo´s David
Insider tip: Staying in Bologna but want to experience Florence’s Renaissance treasures? Florence is close enough to make a great day trip, giving you time to see Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo, and the Uffizi before returning to Bologna. Make the most of your limited time with one of Walks of Italy’s Florence tours, from small-group tours covering David and the Duomo to full-day experiences that combine Florence’s major sights. With an expert guide and skip-the-line access on selected tours, you can spend less time navigating and more time discovering the city.
Why take day trips in Italy?
The biggest advantage of day trips is flexibility. You don’t have to choose between spending more time in a major city and seeing the surrounding region, you can do both.
They’re also particularly useful if you’re visiting Italy for the first time. Instead of trying to squeeze six or seven hotels into a two-week itinerary, you can choose two or three strategic bases and explore outward from each one.
This is especially useful if you’re interested in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as Italy has more UNESCO-designated sites than any other country in the world. Many are within easy reach of the country’s major cities, from the historic center of Florence and the archaeological areas of Pompeii to the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa and the Renaissance landscape of the Val d’Orcia.
Italy is home to 62 UNESCO World Heritage sites – including Pompeii
Just remember that not every day trip makes sense independently. High-speed rail is fantastic for city-to-city journeys, but rural destinations such as the Val d’Orcia, Chianti, or parts of the Amalfi Coast can involve complicated connections. In those cases, renting a car or joining a guided day trip can make much more sense.
And don’t underestimate the value of simply staying put. A day trip should add something to your Italian vacation, not turn it into a race. Choose one destination, give yourself enough time to enjoy it, and leave some room for the unexpected, a long lunch, a beautiful piazza, or one more gelato before the train home.
After all, one of the best things about Italy is just how much there is to discover beyond the city where you wake up.
Piazza Navona in Rome is one of the most decorative piazzas
FAQs – Day trips in Italy
Is it easy to take day trips by train in Italy?
Yes. For many of Italy’s major cities, high-speed trains are the easiest way to take a day trip. Services connect cities such as Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Naples, and Venice, often in just one or two hours. Book high-speed tickets in advance if you want the best fares, while regional trains are generally cheaper and don’t always require advance reservations. Check the return journey before setting off, particularly if you’re planning to stay out until late.
Should I rent a car for a day trip in Italy?
A car is useful when you’re exploring rural areas or several small towns, where public transportation can be limited. It’s particularly helpful for destinations such as Chianti, the Val d’Orcia, and parts of Tuscany. For major cities, however, a car can be more of a hindrance than a help because of traffic, limited parking, and ZTLs (restricted traffic zones) in historic centers. If you’re planning to visit wineries, remember that the driver will also need to stay sober.
What should I book in advance for an Italian day trip?
For popular sights, it’s worth booking ahead to make the most of your limited time. Major museums, famous attractions, guided tours, and special experiences can sell out, particularly in summer and around holidays. If you’re visiting a popular winery or planning to eat at a highly rated restaurant, reservations are also a good idea. For smaller towns, however, you can usually leave plenty of room in your schedule to wander and see where the day takes you.
The Colosseum, probably the most recognisable ancient structure in the world!
Ready to explore more of Italy?
Whether you’re looking to uncover ancient ruins, wander through medieval towns, admire Renaissance masterpieces, or taste your way through Italy’s famous food and wine regions, a day trip is a great way to see more of the country. Let a local expert take care of the logistics and help you make the most of your time.
Explore Walks of Italy’s tours and discover unforgettable experiences in Italy’s most fascinating cities and regions.
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87 responses to “The Best Day Trips in Italy: Explore More From One City”
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i always dreamed about travelling to italy especially after watching godfather 1 and 2 😉 and the city did meet my expectations. the views in tuscan were just amazzing and the medieval city of Siena was just like going back in time. my kindle book really helped me aswel to communicate with the locals, you guys should check out their website http://www.eton-phrasebooks.com/
they have phrasebooks for upto 17 languages
would it be a good idea to visit tuscany in decmber first week? would wine tasting and places like montalcino be operational?
Hi there,
Yes—except for Dec. 8 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception), everything should be open! Enjoy your trip!
Can we do a day trip from Florence to Pisa and take a train to Naples from Pisa ?
Where do we leave our luggage once we arrive in Pisa from Florence by train for the day as we go around the city?
Hi Bhaw,
Yes, you can take a day trip easily by train from Florence to Pisa. There is a left luggage area in the Pisa train station where you can pay a nominal fee to leave your bags for the day. From Pisa, you can go on to Naples, as well, although you’ll be switching trains in Florence anyway—so we would recommend leaving your bags at the *Florence* left luggage department at the Florence train station, instead, and picking them up at the end of the day to head on to Naples.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
Can you recommend a driver in Lucca?
Hi Robyn,
Someone on our team will be emailing you shortly with recommendations.
Thanks for stopping by!
I am visiting Florence in early April next year.
As per your blog, I am planning a day trip to Pisa and Lucca but was going to do the opposite by visiting Pisa first.
Is there any merit in this? I thought if I got there early right on 8:30am when it opens we could take in the main attractions and then have the rest of the day to enjoy Lucca.
Would this work out as well as your suggestion?
Hi Shannon,
That sounds like a plan to us! In Pisa, what you have to watch out for (and what causes the lines and crowds around the Tower) are the tour buses that come in for the day; most tend to arrive by mid-morning. So the earlier, the better. And Lucca, in our opinion, definitely deserves at least a half-day to explore.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
Hi, I’m leaving for florence and tuscany in 2 weeks. I’d like to know if it’s possible to make a day trip to Venice?
Is it realistic or should we put more time in Tuscany?
For now we are spending 3 days in Florence, we rent a car for 3 other days and then head to rome for 5.
thank you
Hi Marie-Helene,
We’re happy to help. From Florence, you can do a day trip to Venice; the fast train from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station to Venice’s Santa Lucia station takes 2 hours. It will be a long day, but doable if you want to make sure you don’t miss getting a glimpse of Venice on your trip.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
and is there any vineyards that have white wine? (good ones)
Hi Marie-Helene, we’re happy to help! There are plenty, of course, but one of our favorites is Felsina, in the Chianti area.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
So excited just booked a trip for us to Venice, Florence and then Rome for 11 days the end of next March. We don’t care for lines, crowds and love to go off the beaten path. What are your recommendations for us to see on such a short trip. I do think we want to see Lucca
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Hi Tracy,
That sounds like a lovely trip! Remember that you could easily spend all 11 days in just those three cities, especially as you’ll need to transfer between them, so at most you’ll want to do 2, maybe 3 day trips, maximum. Lucca is a good idea; we’d also recommend checking out Verona and Orvieto. If you want to go even more off the beaten path, you might consider renting a car for your trip from Florence to Rome or Venice to Florence, which will afford you the flexibility to visit some smaller towns in the countryside of Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, or Umbria.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
Hello!
Mi and my partner are visiting florence on 22-26 dec. Would like to knoe whether train n bus transportation are available on christmas. Is day tours out of e question?
Hi Chloe,
Trains and buses will still run, but on more limited schedules. Check the trenitalia.com site for exact scheduling.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
I wonder in vinyard opens for tasting and business in janurary in Chanti / Tuscany area?
Is drving in winter there safe?
Hi Bill,
Some, but not all, vineyards should be open for tastings. In the towns, wine bars and shops where you can do tastings should almost all be open. If there’s a particular place you’re interested in, make sure to call in advance for hours (especially when it comes to vineyards).
The area can get snow, and is hilly, so follow the same precautions you would driving in similar weather elsewhere and you should be fine. Also be aware that more off the beaten path destinations (like vineyards and farms) often have narrow or dirt roads.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
any good recommendation for mid January visit regarding where to go around florence?
Hi Bill,
Of course! It will be quite cold, so we’d recommend places with lots of attractions you can duck in to—or, at least, trattorias and wine bars where you can warm up! We especially like Volterra, Siena, Lucca, and Pisa.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
I sent a question asking for the best way to travel in Italy stating the areas & the number of days that I will be staying in each place as well as the most cost effective a eurail pass or regular daily train but need to know where to look for answer.
Hi Brenda,
Usually, buying train tickets individually is the most cost effective, and much better than a Eurail pass, particularly if you book online in advance to take advantage of special fares.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
Hi, I am looking for road trip ideas. We are renting a car in Florence and spending two days driving to Naples. Most of our 16 days in Italy are going to be very touristy so we would like this part to be off the beaten path! Any ideas on where to stay? Maybe family owned places? We could stay one night between Florence and Rome and one night between Rome and Naples. Thanks!!
Hi Suzanne, we’d like to suggest visiting and staying at agriturismi (family owned farmhouses) when traveling off the beaten path! Between Florence and Rome, we’d suggest Montepulciano and Orvieto, and Caserta and Latina for between Rome and Naples! Do let us know if you have any further questions.
We are planning a trip for. 7 days in June staying in Florence and want to do day trips if possibly stay 2 nights elsewhere! Tell us what you would do if you were planning this trip!!
Ciao Gina! Any of the day trips we mentioned would be great for an overnight trip, too. Do let us know what you’re looking for (a larger or smaller city, countryside, sea, etc.) and we can help you pick the perfect place!
Hi
My girlfriend and I will be visiting Italy from April 14 – April 25, We are spending our first 4 nights in Rome, and are looking at booking the rest of our time in Florence and doing day trips….
We are really keen on doing a quiet little wine region though stain over for one night perhaps??? Any suggestions on the best area/region to visit from Florence?
Thanks heaps
Michael
Hi Michael, you may be interested in our Wine Tasting in Tuscany: The Best Tuscan Wine Regions, and How to Get There article! We also offer a fabulous Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Tuscan Farmhouse experience and private full day excursions to the popular wine areas. Let us know if you have any questions!
Hi,
We are interested in visiting Assisi. We will be coming from Sorrento and heading towards Florence. Would it be best to stop there first? Can you recommend other sites to visit along the way. Which is better, train or bus for this destination?
Thanks,
Pam
Hi Pam, we think it would be best to visit Assisi on your way from Sorrento to Florence. Have you considered stopping in Rome? It is quite easy to get to the Assisi from there from both train and bus. Let us know if you have any questions!
We will be arriving by ship and would like to know the best way to see Florence area loretta
Ciao Loretta! Can you give us some more information about your trip like where you will be docking and how long you will have in Florence so we can get you some helpful information? 🙂
Buongiorno! In about 3 weeks we will be arriving in Rome. Our second stop is Florence for my birthday. We are looking for a day trip to some vineyards. We will be car-less, so preference for something accessible by bus/train. Our train gets in from Rome around midday 21/5. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
The more I read your posts the less I think I’ll come back! Grazie!
Ciao Andrew! Have you seen our Wine Tasting in Tuscany blog post? There you’ll find a comprehensive list of the wine regions near Florence that will help you pick the best destination for your birthday 🙂 We also offer a fabulous food tour in Florence in case you’re interested. Let us know if you have any questions!
We are planning a Tuscany day trip from Florence via Chianti , Siena , Val d’Orcia
Can you please suggest best route and English Speaking driver
Ciao Sanjay! Have you seen our selection of full and half day Tuscan private drives? We think they may be just what you’re looking for 🙂 https://walksofitaly.com/florence-tours/tuscany-day-trips-from-florence/
Hi , we are travelling to Venice 2 nights, Florence 2 nights and Rome 3 nights From June 15- 21 starting from Venice. What is the best way to see these places, best train to choose fro travel in between and best places to see on each destination. Thank u so much.
Ciao! We suggest traveling by train and booking in advance if possible to reserve your seat and ensure the lowest price possible. Depending on your budget, we recommend the faster trains (Frecciarossa via Trenitalia and Italo) which usually cost more but save a substantial amount of time when traveling between cities. We invite you to take a look at our articles on Venice, Rome and Florence and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have 🙂
Thank u very much we will await your suggestion , I hope we can maximize our short trip and make it easier for us. Thanks
Is the Tower of Pisa open on Sundays as we will be visiting Pisa on a Sunday during the first week of July?
Hi Richie, yes it is open on Sundays. Buon viaggio!
We are renting a car for our trip from Rome to Florence. We will have our 20yo son, 15 yo son and 13 yo daughter. Our daughter wants to go to the chocolate factory and our son wants to see the ocean. What route would you suggest for exploring from Rome to Florence with teenagers? Thanks in advance:)
Hi Cora! We would suggest going a bit off route which will take more time, but promises great views of the sea. You can take the highway along the coast to Livorno and, from there, you can drive 1.5 hours to Florence. Let us know if you have any questions!
Hi, we plan to visit Rome, Florence & Tuscany in mid December. Our initial schedule is travel via train from Rome to Florence. Would 2 days in each city sufficient? Also, what would you recommend the best mode of transport – car or train? Any specific locations in Florence to visit other than the wine cellars & cheese factory? If train is suitable, should I buy it now. Thanks
Ciao Azman, two days in each town should be sufficient to see the main sights and attractions, and get a feel for the city. We suggest traveling by train, however tickets are only available up to 4 months before your departure, so it’s a bit too early right now. We invite you to have a look at our articles about what to do in and around Florence to help you plan your trip. Let us know if you have any questions!
Hi, I am trying to organize 2 sightseeing day trips from Florence but I am not sure how feasable they are… We will be driving it.
1. San Gimignano + Siena + Montepulciano
2. Santa Marguerita + Cinque Terre + Lucca + Pisa
Please advise if roads are ok to travel for my plan #2. Should I revise anything, any recommendations are welcome. Thank you
Ciao Maria, day trip #2 may be a bit too packed because you will be spending lots of time driving between cities, not leaving you very much time to explore. We’d suggest Lucca & Pisa for a day trip from Florence. Let us know if you have any questions!
We are staying in Vinci and would like to take a day trip to Cinque Terre. We have 2 cars and if we leave early would we have time to go to a few towns and also take a boat/ferry out on the ocean as we’re told the veiws are fabulous?
Hi Ray, the trip is 2 hours each way from Vinci, but you should have enough time to explore the towns. You can find information regarding boat excursions on this website. Let us know if you have any questions!
thank you for your answer. Actually the stop at Pisa would only be for the picture, not climbing the tower. If I drop out Lucca would it still be reasonable for day #2?
Ciao Maria, we think you could fit Pisa and Cinque Terre into one day, but adding on Santa Margherita would be a bit too much because you would have to add an extra 3 hours of driving (there and back) from Cinque Terre. Let us know if you have any questions!
Thank you sooooo much for your kind advice and responding to my concerns. Best wishes.
what places can we reach by train from montecatini for a daytrip?
Hi Patrick, which cities you are interested in visiting from Montecatini? Florence is accessible by train (approximately 1 hour, 5.30 euro).
Are Bologna and Venice also a possibility?
Hi Patrick, there are no direct trains to Bologna and Venice. We suggest having a look at the timetables on the TrenItalia website to plan your trip: it will take about two hours to get to Bologna and three and a half hours to Venice.
Hi, we will have 6 nights in Rome over New Year, then travel by train for 2 nights in Florence 2-4 January. We have 3 nights available before we have to be in Bologna on 7/1/15 and were thinking of a farm/winery stay in Tuscany somewhere and doing day trips to Pisa, Lucca, and Siena. We will be hiring a car (2 adults and kids 18,16 & 10). Any recommendations for where we should base ourselves? we expect to pick up the hire car on 4 January in Florence and return it in Bologna on 8 January.
Ciao Charmaine, we think Lucca would be a great base for exploring the Tuscan countryside! Let us know if you have any questions 🙂
Hello, my husband and I are attending the world championship dragonboat races end of August in Cesenatico, I’d like to figure out some great touring options as we are coming a week earlier. I am blind, my husband can drive if needed, however I am unable to read maps and support him in getting around. We can fly into any airport, but need to end up at Balonia airport to meet up with other’s getting in on August 28th 2014 to get shuttled. We are not interested in big busy cities, love white wine, amazing food, off the beat and path, the ocian, mountains anything seenic . I hope you can offer some direction and insight as I’m the planner of this entire trip.
Ciao Orly, thanks so much for your message! Please get in touch with our customer care team for more information about our tours: [email protected]. Buon viaggio 🙂
Hello,
I plan to travel to Tuscany for around one week in September, 3 nights in Florenze, train drive to Lucca and stay in Pisa for 3 nights to enjoy the see (Marina di Pisa ?), 1 night in Sienna , Volterra…
Are there any other recommendations ? Is there a possibility to enjoy one day Tuscany countryside without driving ?
Ciao Zaneta, we think you’d be interested in our private tours of the Tuscan countryside, complete with a driver. Let us know if you have any questions!
We are planning a 10 – 12 day trip to Rome, Florence and Venice. We have been to Rome and Milan before so we are more interested in Florence and Venice with Rome being our arrival and departure destination. we would be travelling with a five month old infant. Could you recommend few children friendly destinations (day tour) from forence. Also would a day tour to Venice be sufficient.
Hi Swati,
A day in Venice is enough, though the haul over there from Florence and back will be quite tiring. In the end, the train takes roughly two and a half hours from Florence to Venice. Check out our day tours in and around Florence here.
Hello, We will be in Venice, Florence and Rome for 15 days in May. We are considering adding in Cinque Terre, Siena, or something else that you might recommend. Since Venice, Florence and Rome are going to be big, heavily touristy and crowded, we thought something for a couple days which is smaller and beautiful might hit the spot. We will not have a car, by the way, so need to use the trains and buses.
Florence is a great base for day trips into the smaller Tuscan towns nearby! It’s well connected by train, too. You can visit Siena, Pisa or Lucca or head further into hill country to Montepulciano or Pienza with a tour!
Hai! We’re heading to Florence in early April. These insights of yours are very helpful. Now we’ve made up our mind to visit Lucca and Pisa. Do we need to buy the train tickets now (online) or only upon arrival at Florence? Also, since we have three kids in tow (infant, 4 years old and 6 years old), do you think missing the climb in the Leaning Tower would be a bad idea?
Hi Yasmin,
You can easily buy the tickets from the train station once you’re already in Florence. We definitely suggest it to leave you more flexibility during your trip. As for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, many people skip the climb, as lines can be very long (sometimes you’ll have to wait hours). With the kids in tow, we suggest enjoying the view, the park and skipping the climb for some gelato instead! 🙂
Perhaps you can help. We are preparing for a trip to visit Florence with our family of 8.
Of course everyone has different interest. In our group 5 have never been to Europe.
What suggestions do you have of places to visit and cities to see. Many are not into
Museums and hate crowds…
Thank you!
Hi Marilyn,
Hi Marilyn,
Florence is a beautiful city and a great starting point or base for your trip to Italy. Though Florence has some of the top museums in the world, you can try the Boboli Gardens instead for those who don’t care for museums. The huge, sprawling gardens are located in Florence Oltrarno (across the arno) and are beautiful year round. Outside of Florence we always recommend the beautiful cities on this list – all of which have wonderful sights to see outside without visiting indoor museums, but if you hate crowds try a bike tour in the Chianti region or even a Tuscan cooking class!
I will be in Rome sometime in November and want to know what day trips can I take from there?
Hi Celia,
There are a ton of great places near Rome that are possible to visit in a day. Some of our favorites are Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast or if that takes too much time, stay closer to home with our private tour to Ostia Antica, once Rome’s principal port town. You can even head into Tuscany! You might like our Hilltowns, Castles and Vineyards tour into the heart of Tuscan wine country, or spend the day learning to cook Italian food at a traditional Tuscan farm with a traditional Tuscan Mamma and her daughter on our Tuscan Cooking Class tour! Let us know what you decide 🙂
Hi we are travelling to Tuscany in September. We fly into Pisa on a Tuesday afternoon where we will pick up a car and hopefully stop quickly at the leaning tower of Pisa to show the kids before driving to our accommodation in Panzano. From here we will do day trips either by bus or car. Would it be possible to visit Venice for a day? Many thanks Alison
Hi Alison,
Yes it is possible. With the fast train (frecciarossa or Italo) you can get to Venice from Florence in 2-2.5 hours. Check out our Venice in a Day tour to be sure you see all the highlights on your day trip. From St. Mark’s to a gondola ride, see Venice from the eyes of our expert local tour guides!
Visiting Italy for the first time for 6 days. want to pack in the maximum. 2 days Rome, 2 days Florence, wine tasting and what else can we see or do? would you suggest a day trip to Venice, Milan or Pisa? We are extremely energetic at 55 and enjoy travelling!
Hi Mukesh,
Actually, we suggest you use your six days to see Rome and Florence as best as possible. Packing too much into a short time is a big mistake when it comes to travel in Italy. That said, if you’re set on exploring outside these cities, we suggest considering day tours to get the most out of your short time. You might like our Pompeii Tour from Rome with Amalfi Coast Drive or our exclusive Cinque Terre day trip from Rome tour.
hi there, we are planning a trip to Italy in Sept, 11th & 12th in Venice, 13th & 14th in Florence & 15th & 16th Rome, can you give us some suggestion what to do, I love to visit some off beat locations as well..
both in Florenace and Rome, rome was thinking of doing CINQUE TERRE
I two days in Venice a lot or shoudl be re-arrange the days
Hello,
We definitely don’t think there is time to add Cinque Terre into your itinerary as well (see: the biggest mistake travelers to Italy make) But we encourage you to click through our blog to find other great suggestions of things to do and see in Rome and beyond.
Hello!
My husband and I are traveling to Italy for our 35th wedding anniversary in April. We are interested in your private tour of Montalcino and Montepulciano for $664. Could you please send more information regarding the places we will be visiting for wine tasting?
Hi Kim,
You can read the itinerary and sign up for that tour on our website, or email [email protected] for more information on the tours!
Hi,
I am planning for a trip to Florence for 3 days in Oct with my and daughter. I am not a kind of a museum person but more of culture and food (vegetarian). I am not sure how can i get the flavor of Florence. I was thinking to rent a car to move around different villages like Siena, Montepulciono (hope spelling is correct), Pisa, etc. On renting a car as well, i am not sure as scared about the road rules. Can you please let me know the best way to get some flavor of Florence
Thanks,
Sumit
Hi Sumit,
If you have just three days, we’d suggest staying in Florence and maybe doing a day trip or a half day to another town by train. You can get inexpensive tickets from the Florence train station to great towns such as Siena, Lucca and Pisa! As for Florence, you can definitely find vegetarian options but this article on eating vegetarian in Italy might help! The best way to get the flavor of Florence is to stroll around the city and take it all in. There’s plenty to see and do!
Hi,
I am planning to visit Florence with mya family(wife and two teenagers son and daughter) in This coming December for 3-4 days. Beside Pisa’s leaning tower, I would also love to visit picturesque places like in Tuscany’s postcards as I live photography and Inwant to frame those beautiful places by myself. Do you thing December is the right time to so that? Where do you ghing should I go in particular to get beautiful winter scenery of Tuscany? Please I need the recommendation of transportqtion and so on as we will be based in Florence.
Thanks for your help.
Heri
Hi Heri,
Most photographs of Tuscany are in the summer with the green hills and amber light, but we’re sure you can find beautiful shots with a photographer’s eye! If you’re there in December then that’s a fine time to go, but if you go to the small towns you’re better off renting a car. The trains are great but they only run to the main towns: Pisa, Siena, Lucca etc.
Hi,
how much would it cost to hire a car with driver for one day tour to Val D’Orcia from Florence? There will be 4 people of our family. We’ plan to visit Florence in the middle of December 2018.
Thanks for the info.
Cheers,
Heri
Hi Heri,
For specific info on Walks of Italy services, please email [email protected]. We don’t have pricing information for other tour companies.