Two full days in Florence is only enough to see a tiny part of everything there is to see in Florence.

If you are not interested in visiting wineries, the Chianti region is sort of superfluous even though it does offer some cute hilltop towns and stunning views.

If you have any interest in history and art, it would be worth your while to stay in Florence.

And if you feel that you are missing out completely, then hire a private driver from your hotel (a little expensive) and do a half day whirlwind tour of the Chianti region.

Fortunately, the beautiful Chianti countryside of vineyards & wood covered hills starts a mere few minutes south of the city so you could take a whirlwind tour as suggested, perhaps including the pretty town of Greve, and be back in Firenze in well under three hours.

Your time is so short that I'd spend it all in Florence. We just spent two full weeks in Florence and there was still more to see.

We did take a one-day tour of Chianti. The scenery on the Chianti Classico road is breathtaking but, frankly, one winery is just like another, anywhere in the world.

Florence is one of the great cities of the world. You can see grapes anywhere; go see Botticelli instead.

With just two days, I would stick with Florence as well. It's a great city just to wander around and feel the atmosphere even if you have time to see all you have seen. I have driven vast areas of Chianti as well but with such a short time and the fact that you are not interested in vineyards, your time would be better invested by spending it in the city.

It sounds to me like the Radrox are on a whirlwind tour of Italy, and want to hit the highlights of the Florence area in 20 waking hours. And in my opinion, you could do Florence at that level in 15 hours, with 5 left over to peek into the Chianti.

In 15 hours they could see the David at the Accademia, then do the Duomo, see some Botticelli at the Uffizi and cruise the Piazza della Signoria/Ponte Vecchio, with plenty of time left over for gelato-with-a-view on the Piazzale Michaelangelo. Leaving them 5 hours for the countryside and wine.

Would they go home saying they had a comprehensive introduction Florence? Of course not. But they'd have done the top 6 and have the most-famous photo ops covered. AND bring home memories of Italian winemaking that could actually be meaningful, since they live in a winemaking region of Australia.

Just one opinion. :-)

Dear Renee:

I know you have picked the most beautiful place in the world to visit!

Since we visit this city every year, I feel I can make some valid recommendations. First, enjoy Florence! There are tour companies that can offer you a Florence city walking tour in the AM, then you lunch at the restaurant they take you to --- truly authentic and then continue the aftrenoon visiting let's say San Gimignano, Chianti, Fiesole, Assisi, Siena (wherever you want to go). This is the type of sightseeing you need to do so you feel you have had the "best of both worlds". The next day you could do the same, or just experience on your own by let's say going to the Accademia and take in a lovely concert in the evening at one of hundreds of beautiful Renaissance churches and of course shop and dine in between during lunch. That is 2 days.

The tour company I would recommend is tuscansunshinetours.com

This company was founded by the top concierge of Tuscany (President of the Gold Keys Association of Concierges of Toscana). Stefano will offer you an awesome rate! They took tender loving care of my 80 year-old mother and we experienced "true Toscana" with ease and affordabilty!

Please take my advise - you will not be sorry!

Have a memorable time!

Dear firenzetraveler - what a nice recommendation, thank you! Try this url, however: http://www.tuscansunshinetours.it/index.html.

Regards.

As much as I admire the countryside and small towns in Chianti, I think the idea of splitting three days like that is silly.

Florence is unique. There is simply nothing remotely like it on the planet.

Plan on spending all three days in Florence. Get a good guidebook (I'm a big fan of the Blue Guide) and pick out the things that jump off the page at you.

If, after the first day, you decide that three days is more than you want to spend, sign up for some tour of Chianti, or, even better in my book, take a bus ride through Chianti to Siena and spend a few hours exploring Siena before taking the beautiful bus ride back.

Dear Renee:

The tour company's website is: tuscansunshinetours.it or you can e-mail: stefano@tuscansunshinetours.it

Hope this helps!