After getting some warning and reassurance here (thank you) I will be renting a car in Tuscany. Here's the schedule:
9-28 (sleep Pisa) Arrive in Pisa in early afternoon. Drop bag at hotel, and walk. Dinner out.
9-29 (sleep Lucca) Take early morning train to Lucca. Drop bag at hotel. Walk Lucca and climb tree tower. Rent bike do wall circuit and ride along aqueduct. Pick up rental car late afternoon and check into hotel. Should I take the car for a countryside spin? Where?
9-30 (sleep Pogginbosi) Get up in wee hours. Drive to hotel,and drop bag. Tour Volterra in morning. Spend early afternoon hiking below Can Gimignano. Spend late afternoon in San Gimignano. Have earlish dinner in San Gimignano.
Oct 1 (sleep Cortona three nights) Leave Pogginbosi very early. See . . . on way to Cortona. Check in Cortona early afternoon.
Oct. 2 Drive to Pitigliano and Casa di CivIta.
Oct. 3rd. Drive East Where?
Oct 4th (Sleep Florence 3 nights) Drop car I Florence at three to four. Check into hotel and do short evening wander.
Oct. 5 Day trip by bus to Sienna.
Oct. 6 Fisole and Florence or day trip to Arezzo.
Mostly I want to see buildings and countryside for photographing and painting later. I'll do few museums or interiors this trip. I would like to do some hiking. I've been in Florence for a week twice, Siena once, and Lucca once. All else is new to me.
I'm avoiding Orvieto and Assisi because I'll go there in years or so with my husband.
Comments? Suggestions?