Florence Travel Forum

We (2) are spending 6 1/2 days in Florence (Residenza il Villino) in mid-October. Intend to use 2 1/2 days to see the sites in Florence and one day (using train or bus) to visit Siena. On one more day, we want to see Pisa, Lucca and if time permits on the same day Viareggio. Unsure if it's best to use the trains or a private guide. If a guide is able to get tickets for entry into the popular sites before our arrival, then assume it will be a smoother visit. The last two days we are seeking a driver to (one day) San Gimignano/Volterra and then last day hill towns like Montalcino, Radda and or Greve.
1. For mid-October, should we wait to find a guide once we arrive Florence, or try and find a guide before arriving?
2. Is the Pisa and Lucca trip a better idea with a guide or using trains?
3. Any driver/guide recommendations?

Part of the charm of Lucca is just wandering around - waling or riding bikes on the walls - that type of thing. Because of this, I would take the train so you could be on your own. Pisa is very near to Lucca so you could start in Pisa where you could see the sites in a short time and then head to Lucca and spend most of the day there and take a later train back to Florence. Lucca is very charming.

Pisa is an easy train ride from Florence. We took a (local) bus tour to Siena which included S Gimignano on the way back.

Pisa we just turned up and went in. At that time you couldn't get in the tower. I don't know about now.