Day trip Tuscany outside Florence....where and how to get there?

This is a place I like to recommend a car if only for one day, but last time we did this our friend, who was driving, ended up with a speeding ticket 8 months later. Another option is a tour. We took one with Tours by Roberto that included a winery stop, a tiny hilltop village, an Etruscan site, and a fabulous lunch in the countryside. A memorable day! Roberto's tours are only 8 or 9 people in a van, so rather more intimate than a big bus.

If you like wine, I suggest taking a tour that includes a food and wine pairing for lunch. You won't have to spend the time renting a car and you won't have to restrict your tasting to just a sip to keep from driving over the low limit.

While in Florence a couple years ago (also in October), we took the WalkAbout Florence Chianti Wine Tour and it was incredible. ...A small group tour (~15 people) with three vineyard/winery stops with tastings plus a stop in Greve in Chianti. The lunch, served family style, was provided at a vineyard/winery agriturismo at it was outstanding.

Thanks! I really appreciate all the suggestions! Yes, we do like wine and would like to sample some wine from this region and maybe send some home. After looking at the RS book, we would like to visit Montepulciano and/or Montalcino but these may be too far from Florence. Also, your points on driving, wine sampling and getting a ticket make me question this option. Tours by Roberto does not mention these towns...I will continue to look. Thanks so much for your help and suggestions!

I think a desire to visit multiple small towns, plus an interest in wine, makes a day-tour of some sort a very good thing to investigate. My usual approach is to hop on a train or a bus, but it is nearly impossible to get to more than two towns per day via public transportation, and some of the towns, while charming, don't warrant more than a couple of hours unless you plan to eat lunch. I suspect most wineries are far enough off the bus routes to be inaccessible without your own vehicle, and on a tour you have a built-in designated driver.

The 12 hour tour of Montalcino,Pienza and Montepulciano may be what you're looking for.

https://www.getyourguide.com/florence-l32/wine-tasting-winery-tours-tc104/?campaign_id=325022129&adgroup_id=22483397969&target_id=aud-196325824409:dsa-84666501466&loc_physical_ms=2784&match_type=b&ad_id=239849304656&keyword=&ad_position=1t1&feed_item_id=&placement=&partner_id=CD951&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiK7r3Ivm3QIVApNpCh0UgQtsEAAYASAAEgIyU_D_BwE

The 6.5 hr tour covers the Chianti region.

Tours by Roberto does do custom tours.

Hope this is of some help.