rome italy to cetona tuscany itlay

You can take the train to Orvieto or Chusi and rent a car there for the days you will be spending in Cetona. A rental car is definitely the most efficient way to explore Tuscany and Umbria.

Just make sure you understand that driving in Italy requires the ability to drive a manual/stick shift and also to be prepared to drive defensively/looking for the unexpected. Also educate yourself about the ZTL zones, what they are and how to avoid them. There are lots of past posts on the forums that can help you out.

You won't experience extra charges from the rental agency if you drop it back off in a different city. Normally there are only extra charges if you drop off in a different country.

You might consider driving to Florence and dropping your car off at the Florence Airport (it will help you avoid the ZTL zones). After visiting Florence you can take the train to Venice.

You'll definitely want a car for the Tuscany portion of the trip.

If you need an automatic, you should be able to get one at the Rome airport without difficulty. While there aren't many automatics for rent in the country as a whole, they do have them where North Americans are likely to rent (major airports and big city train stations). If you can drive a stick, however, you'll save a LOT of money on the rental.

Each driver will need an International Driver's Permit, which you obtain from AAA. You need to carry this in addition to your Colorado license.

Roberto (our frequent poster who is originally from Florence) often recommends that instead of driving to Florence and taking the train to Venice, you just drive all the way to Venice and drop the car there. If you do this, other posters have warned that the speed cameras on the causeway into Venice will catch you if you're even a tiny amount over the posted limit. But you avoid any ZTL hassles this way; if you drop the car in Florence, you can easily hit a ZTL unless you drop the car at the airport, which then necessitates a bus or taxi to the train...so overall, driving right to Venice can be easier and cheaper.

Rentals in Italy usually have no extra charge for dropping in a different city, as long as you don't drop the car in a different country.

To find a rental car, look at Kemwel as well as AutoEurope; these brokers are sister companies, but I've heard several stories (one was my own) where Kemwel had a much better price than anyone else. Strongly consider getting zero deductible insurance.

Do read all about ZTL's and the two types of speed cameras ("single shot" and Tutor), so you'll avoid these pitfalls when driving in Italy.

You could train to Chiusi and bus to Cetona. about 3 hrs total.

Bus schedule...http://www.busfox.com/timetable/ make sure you enter dates appropriately.
looks like 4 a day

Taxi is also available, 5-10 min ride.