Self-drive day trip into countryside from Florence

You can see so much more of Tuscany from behind the wheel of a rental car. We find the roads well paved and well marked--but a little crooked in some areas.

You might want to look at AutoEurope.com and see if they can beat the deal you've been quoted. You can save some money by picking the car up in a city location vs. at the airport or train station.
If you join a rental company's frequent customer club, you can often get a cut on the rate. There are also PIN numbers available all over the internet and for AARP members that offer rate discounts.
You should have no problem navigating Tuscany. And GPS units for rental cars are also available.

Driving around in Tuscany is easy- getting in and out of Florence not always so easy.

You will need to read up on ZTLs and how to avoid them if you don't want nasty $$ surprises in your mailbox when you get home- or even up to a year later!

Pick up your car at the Hertz Sansovino or Borgo Ognissanti location- make sure you know what the closing time is if you are dropping car back on same day. (Otherwise you'll need to park it somewhere!)

All drivers will need an International Driving Permit IDP- you can get that here in the states at AAA office for about $15

We always use AutoEurope for our european rentals- they are a US based consolidator, excellent customer service and usually best rates.
I just picked a random date in May and see an automatic compact car for $85 and that includes all insurances. (Hertz)
Also check with your credit card providers. Our Amex covers car rental insurance in Europe so you might save $$ there.

https://www.autoeurope.com

I would pick up the car at Hertz Firenze Sud, on Via Ambrosoli near the Varlungo bridge and from there take the Chianti Road. You can return the car at any Hertz facility. The airport facility closes at midnight, but you can probably make late return arrangements anywhere.
This is my suggested itinerary for a day. Plenty of wineries along the Chianti Road and many need no appointment.

https://goo.gl/maps/PSBBQhoJWchmyBCZ9

Getting out of Florence is not hard from Hertz Firenze Sud.
Language knowledge is not necessary as European Road signs are symbols. You need to know those symbols however.
Google Italian Road signs (there is a comprehensive Wikipedia article) and also ZTL (Zona Traffico limitato to learn about restricted traffic zones in the historical centers of town.

Yes, definitely rent a car instead of taking a tour. Book ahead to make sure you get an automatic as most cars are manual. Make a copy of EU road signs and take it with you when you drive. RS guide books usually have them included. I tape it on the glove box.Use Google maps app.
Take a ride in the green Chianti region down SR 222,the historic road that connected Siena and Florence. Some towns to visit Greve, Panzano, Castellina, Radda, Gaiole and finally Siena. We have been in this area many times and turn off when we see a winery sign, and drive down usually a dirt road to visit them. English may not be spoken but you can get by. Download English to Italian and Italian to English in Google Translate to take care of any language issues. By downloading these languages through the App , you won’t run up data usage on your phone. We spent a week in Panzano in a villa overlooking vineyards and did these winery visits late each afternoon. Google wineries Chianti, or wineries Panzano to get some names. We had a case of wine shipped home. Shipping costs equaled cost of wine.

Wonderful! Thanks everyone! This is super helpful! I promise to report back with hour our day went!

Thanks!!!!

Tracy,

Just to stress a few points mentioned by the others.....

• be sure the each driver mentioned on the rental form has the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. Hefty fines if you can't produce an IDP, and those fines are collected on the spot!
• also be sure to do some research on the ZTL (limited traffic zones) which exist in many Italian towns. Each pass through one will result in hefty fines, which you probably won't know about until several months after you return home when mysterious charges start appearing on your credit card.
• you'll also need to watch for speed cameras.
• a GPS unit or smartphone with Google Maps is really helpful. You'll need data capability on your phone unless you download off-line maps.

I like Suki's itinerary with Greve and Panzano. In Panzano, there is a Macelleria/Restaurant owned by Dario Ceccini. He is highlighted in the book HEAT by Bill Buford. It is set on a hilllside and the views are terrific! You can have lunch there and experience his American-oriented butchery. There is a funny debate in Tuscany. The Americans all know and swear by Dario. The Italians all know and swear by a Greve macelleria, but I don't remember if it is Falorni or Giovambattista. Maybe you can compare?