Relax and Enjoy
We were successful in this as well. We visited Florence, Rome, Turin, Lyon and Paris. In that order. With each landing, we considered the travel day to be for travel only, and the following day to be a leisure day for reconnoiter. On days in which we went to see something, we did not over-schedule. Frankly, we could handle a museum for about three hours before we became overwhelmed and hungry/thirsty. Then we found some things to eat and drink.
We typically walked three miles before noon. We stayed in the old parts of these cities, and walked everywhere. I think Lisa owes me a nickel. I bet her this princely sum that we walked an average of at least 5.5 miles each day we were there. I think she does not want to pay up. Her phone kept track of our steps, and she has not retrieved the data.
This is our style. American-style hotels and scheduled tours are great for some folks, but just not for us. We wish we were back at our favorite cafe on the Rue Saint-Denis drinking wine and eating French food and listening to spoken French. People-watching was AWESOME. There, and in Italy, they know that everyone has their own taste and style of dress. However expressive. And they are happy to express themselves.