I would love to spend time in Florence, perhaps hit a few key sites, I don't want to become overwhelmed with sight seeing (art and museums) as much as this would be nice, with limited time on my vacation (probably only 4 nights in tuscany region) I think I would rather spend my time exploring the country side enjoying the natural landscapes, smaller hill towns. I am thinking this might be best achieved by renting a car? I will be coming from Cinque Terre, Now the question is where along this route should I rent a car (Siena, Florence, somewhere in between?) Should I go straight to Florence spend a night there then rent a car to explore the other towns and perhaps book accommodation in a smaller village. I am afraid that if I stay on the bus or train routes that I will miss out on some unique accommodation options off the beaten path. We will be heading to Rome after Tuscany.
Posted by
Kissimmee, Fl, USA
12 posts
In 2012 we traveled from Venice to Rome with a 6 night stop in Tuscany. Picked up a rental car in Florence and spent our time in a agritourismo outside Greve in Chianti, 30 - 40 minutes from Florence. We did day trips to Pisa, Sienna, Florence, Montepulciano, and the drive through the country side was breathtaking.
Looking to return this year to visit the many towns we missed
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
I'll give you two alternatives. You decide.
1 - From the Cinque Terre you will go to nearby La Spezia where you will pick up your rental car. Drive from Spezia to a small town or a farmhouse (Agriturismo) somewhere between Florence ( Impruneta) and Siena, preferably close enough to the freeway connecting Siena to Florence. You will be visiting Florence and. Siena from that location on day trips. Park in one of the parking lots outside the historical center while visiting those cities and towns. Most historical centers (roughly within the ancient city walls) have traffic restrictions.
2 - Go from CT to Florence by train. Use Florence as a base (without a car). Visit the rest of Tuscany with buses and trains. At most rent a car for a day to visit the countryside and small villages. Siena, Arezzo, Lucca and Pisa are very easily reachable by bus or train. The Chianti hills are more efficient by car.