My wife and I will be spending a week in Tuscany next fall and have 2 questions for folks who are experienced in Tuscany travel. 1) if you wanted to locate in one town and use it as base for explore the hill towns in Tuscany, which town would you choose? and 2). do you recommend renting a car, or relying on public transport (bus and/or trains). Thanks!!!
Posted by
Lancaster PA
265 posts
In Tuscany, a car is your friend. Public transportation is limited at best. With a week, I divided a time between between Volterra and Montepulciano. But I value multiple restaurants and enjoying wine with dinner without the fear of driving. You might choose other locations or an agriturismo. Do your homework and decide what is right for you. The fall is a wonderful time to visit.
Posted by
seattle
2144 posts
I also recommend a car. Pienza was my favorite Tuscan small city. I recommend staying in an country house or agriturismo nearby. You could then take easy day trips to Montepulciano, Montalcino as well as Pienza.
Posted by
Indy
59 posts
We were in Italy in October 2019 for 3 weeks. Stayed in Tuscany area for a week. Rented a car in Florence after arriving there by train from the CT. Our Airbnb was in the Chianti region near Greve. It was part of a vineyard and olive farm. We took a tour of that winery and also drove daily to 5 different towns. It was perfect.
Posted by
755 posts
I have stayed in Tuscany many times without a car. There are trains and buses that go to every little village or town. It does take longer to get around, however, but if you are not in a hurry it is a fine, relaxing way to see Tuscany.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2201 posts
Our Airbnb was in the Chianti region near Greve. It was part of a vineyard and olive farm. We took a tour of that winery and also drove daily to 5 different towns. It was perfect.
Sounds like we stayed at the same place. Was it Castello di Verrazzano or the one on the next hill over?
Having a rental car really is convenient. My research showed that bus service was not as comprehensive as another poster made it sound like. Yes, a bus ran through Greve, but most of the buses ran in early morning and late afternoon.