Greetings all, Last night we booked our flights to and from Milan (13 days in late September). This is my wife's first trip to Italy and my third. My question (for now) is about the six day Tuscan leg of the trip. We definitely want to spend 3 or so days in Florence, but would also like to spend some time seeing the countryside. We are considering spending 3 days in Siena (or some other town) to get out of the crush of Florence. For excursions from there, is it best to rent a car, or to take a tour van? Are there any major pros or cons to either? If taking tour vans, busses, etc is the best option, is there any reason not to base the entire Tuscan leg in Florence?
Posted by
seattle
40 posts
Ted- We've been to Italy many times and the last two times we rented a car while in Tuscany. It was a great experience- as long as you bring/rent a GPS. I would highly recommend it. The first time we stayed in Cortona, parking in a free lot just below the hotel and the second time we stayed in an amazing country inn called Genius Loci. It's in Umbria but everything is an easy drive. We even drove to Florence for the day and found free parking at the Piazzele Michelangelo thanks to Rick Steves' book.
Have fun!
Posted by
Florence
362 posts
Well you definitely don't want the car in Florence, and day trips from there (private trips or small groups in vans, etc.) can be very expensive. I think 3 or 4 nights in Florence, with the rest in or near Siena, with a rental car, sounds like a really good plan. You could stay just about anywhere probably with the car an just day trip to Siena or dozens or other towns depending on what you want to see -
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
153 posts
We opted to not rent a car for our trip. We bussed to Siena and then to Montalcino for the night, sampled some wine, etc then back to Siena. In Siena, we took a tour from winetourintuscany.com and it was great. She took us to two wineries, one for tastings of red/white wine and olive oil, another for lunch; to a cheese factory for tastings and 3 hill towns. Had we known where to go for all of this, we certainly could've done it ourselves, but I think it was worth it to not have to stress or plan it all out.
Posted by
Braintree, MA
29 posts
Rent a car; you'll have much more freedom and won't be tied to a schedule. Use Siena as a base and take day trips from there. DO NOT travel the Tuscan countryside without a GPS. Enjoy!
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Definitely rent a car for Tuscany. I'm not sure why others insist that you have a GPS, though. Having survived with a Michelin map from Venice to Assisi to Tuscany (based in Pienza with day trips to Siena, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Civita Bagnoregio, with a dropoff in Civitavecchia); if you can use a map you'd be fine. We went before GPS was common in cars, but it was easy. The freedom of a car far outweighs a tour bus or van. Have fun!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11455 posts
Agreee with all about car to see Tuscany. I am in the "no GPS" camp with Mike@Columbia, though. Map-reading is a lost art, and getting a little lost is quite nice. Takes both driver and passenger to be alert and reading signs, though. Get a Michelen map book so you have good detail on the backroads. FYI, we found our B&B in Siena had a "secret" parking spot for 10 euros a night. Ask locally about good parking places. Neer know what you'll find.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10344 posts
I would rent a car in Tuscany. Yes, you can get by without a GPS, but why? It makes life so much easier. And trust me, you can still get lost with a GPS. Having one just makes it a little easier to get back on track. Plus, with a GPS if you see something that you were not planning to go to and it takes you off course, it will direct you back to your destination whenever you want. We stayed at Agriturismo Marciano in Siena. Just outside of town and there was plenty of parking available. They have the most amazing optional dinners they offer to their guests. It was the best food we had in our 3 weeks in Italy. Check them out on Trip Advisor. Have a great trip!!