We are returning to Italy for vacation. Last time we did a 20 day loop from Como, Venice, Florence, and Rome and ended in Malta. This time we are planning to land in Rome, head south to Almafi coast for 5 days then north to Tuscany for 5 days. Reading over both of Ricks Italy books and Florence and Tuscany book, I am still confused where to home base in Tuscany. Shall we stay in Sienna? Volterra? Or Montepulciano/Montalcino? I think we will train and bus down to Positano and back up to Rome, then get a car either in Rome or Florence to have in Tuscany. Just confused as to where to home base in Tuscany; we day tripped to Sienna on our previous trip but could explore it deeper as well as get to cinque terre- maybe. We didn't get there last time but we want to engage in the country this time. Rick says Sienna is good to base out of without a car (actually Florence) but he really likes Volterra and Montepulciano as hill towns. Or do we need the car if we home base in Sienna?
We are traveling in September 2018