daytrip from Florence

From Florence, you can train, bus, or drive to Siena quite easily. Many folks opt for the bus as it drops you at the top of the "hill" in the town of Siena. The train station is outside the walls of the city and at the BOTTOM of the hill... so unless you catch a local bus or "cab" it, you will be walking uphill! I like the car option, only because we drive a lot in Italy and there is so much to explore between Siena and Florence - there's no subtitute for driving in Tuscany. As far as taking a car to Rome.... unless it's a cost issue, I would NOT recommend it. Unless you plan on wandering down the SS222 or SS2, it's a straight shot in the autostrada - not much to see and then you have to deal with the car in ROME. Riding a motorino daily, I've helped MANY a lost American in Rome traffic, Save the frustrations - take the train!

Totally agree with Ron. You can rent a car (Avis I think) in Florence itself (near the train station). Be SERIOUSLY advised you do not want to be in rush hour traffic going with the crowd. This should not be a problem, however, as you will be leaving Florence in the morning and returning in the evening. We have never had a problem with parking since we start out EARLY and like you travel in the Fall. We drive to a garage at the top of the hill in Sienna. As you pass through the gate in the wall take a left at the first street and then a right into the garage, not cheap but also not a rip-off. You pay for parking by getting a ticket from the machine as you walk out of the garage and pay for it (via the machine) BEFORE you leave. Alternatively you can park at the Soccer Stadium (Patheggio Stadio) or under the train station. With a car you can see both Sienna and San Gimignano. Exit Sienna Ovest and follow the signs for Centro and either follow the soccer ball sign or continue up the hill for underground parking. A word of caution, unless you can drive a stick shift make sure you reserve an automatic.

Thanks Ron and Marie. We will rent a car for a day and then take the train to Rome.

be sure to read about the ZTL on this site or with google; otherwise you'll get several hundred dollars in traffic tickets.

I didn't know about ZTL. Thanks!!

Oh Shannon..Please take the bus from Florence to Siena and avoid the driving. Parking is horrendously expensive, although I was able to find a free parking lot, and the bus is sooooooo convenient. What you save in sanity and euros, treat yourself to a wonderful lunch in Siena including a wonderful bottle of chianti classico or your bevvy of choice. Driving back into Florence is another nightmare to be avoided. Too many one way streets and as I drive on most of my holidays, I found it very unnerving.

What is the ZTL?

Shannon, you have so many towns in Tuscany to go to from Florence. I have used a car and train, so depending on how much territory you want to cover, I would use what is convenient for the time allowed. However, I used a car to go from Florence, to Siena, Pisa, and Lucca and enjoyed all three. Of course, this wasn't done in one day. I think you would really enjoy Siena for a day trip, the grand square in front of the city hall and the beautiful cathedral. Of course, everyone knows about the Leaning Tower or Pisa, but Pisa has so many other areas along the River and in the central part of town that is also nice. In Lucca, which I really was surprised to find a wonderful small city was fabulous, and not crowded with a bunch of tourists. Maybe you can see these other towns on another trip to Italy. There is a restaurant called Ristorante La Grotta Guelfa on Via Pellicceria 5R; Florence, that is fabulous and very reasonable. I have eaten there on the last 7 trips to Italy and was never disappointed. It is on a side road behind the leather market which is on the street,(Via Por Santa Maria) that runs in front of the Ponte Vecchio. Please try it for lunch or dinner. I agree with the others, that you don't want to drive a car in Rome or Florence if you can avoid it. It is a easier in FLorence than in Rome. But remember Italians love to make 6 lanes out of 3 or 4 lanes out of 2. Have fun. Jerry