Expert: Lisa - 9/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I plan to visit Siena, followed by San Gimignano on the same day.
Any clues what time I should leave San G to ensure connection to Florence by bus? (Bus appears more convenient)

Cheers!

ANSWER: Hi Jon.

Follow this site for bus and train information. I can't tell you the exact times. But it looks like there is a lot of service to and from San Gimignano. When you arrive, ask about departure times. That's usually the best way to deal with the bus schedule as there aren't any bus schedules in English on the internet that I've ever found:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sangimignano/2536010002.html

Best wishes,
Lisa

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Lisa,

One enthusiatic Italian traveller!! My plan goes like this..
Day 1 - Leave Rome on night bus and reach Siena
Day 2 - Tour Siena & San Gimignano, reach Florence
Day 3 & 4 - Tour Florence
Day 5 - Tour Pisa & Lucca by train, return to Florence and bus to venice (reach venice 0300)
Day 6 - Tour Venice from early morning (without accomodation)

All things appear well except Day 5 which seems pretty hectic. What do you think? Will reach most accomodations in the late evening. Do you see any problems?

Many thanks!!

ANSWER: Hi Jon. Well, yes, it does seem hectic to me, but I guess it depends on your energy level. It reminds me of the Turkey at a Glance Tour I took years ago. My biggest memory is being on the bus. But it can be done. I think you should decide exactly what you want to see and make sure your preferred sights are open on the day and hour you're prepared to see it. Go to frommers.com for museum hours, etc.

If you just want to walk around these places and not do too many museums, it's all very possible, if that's what you want. You could cut Lucca and/or San Gimignano from the tour to allow more time in other places.

Best wishes,
Lisa

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Lisa,

Do you mean Lucca & San G may not be worth the trip? Hear about the medieval towers and beautiful walking paths at both places.

If we rest at Venice Mestre and tour Venice the following day, is it better for 27yr old youths like us?

One day in Venice can only cover the SM Basilica & Doge's Palace. What do you suggest?

Answer
Hi Jon, Lucca and San Gimignano are definitely worth the trip. I was just thinking that if you needed to cut something, perhaps you could cut those.

Venice Mestre is just a place to sleep. Nothing to see and not pretty at all.

Day 5 and 6 seems problematic to me, too. You're going to reach Venice at 3am and tour all day? What if you can't get any sleep on the bus? Perhaps you should tour Florence for one full day on day 3, do Pisa and Lucca on Day 4, finish up in Florence the early part of day 5 and then travel to Venice the afternoon of day 5. You'll be more rested for day 6 and can put in a full day in Venice.

Since you'll only have one day in Venice, spend it in St. Marks Square seeing the Basilica, going up the Tower (by elevator), and the Doge's Palace. Take a gondola ride (you can try to find another couple to share the expense with), and then take a walk from St. Marks to the Rialto Bridge and cross the bridge.

Stay in Mestre only if you have to. I think a better plan would be to find a cheaper room in the Dorsodura section. It may look far from St. Marks Square, but it's actually only a 15-minute walk from the Accademia Bridge. Dorsodura is a great neighborhood. Quieter, funky chic, and has some great restaurants. Check out accommodations/restaurants at frommers.com.

And, if you stay in Dorsodura, after you cross the Rialto, you can walk back to Dorsodura on the other side of the Grand Canal, seeing other things as you walk back, instead of backtracking the way you came. If you stay in Mestre, you can walk back to the train/bus station after crossing the Rialto.

Would love to hear back from you when you get home.

Best wishes,
Lisa