Tuscany or Umbria without a car

You can look at Siena which is easy train or bus from Rome. They have tours out into the countryside if you want. I like Tours by Roberto from Rick's book. From Siena you can catch a direct bus to San Gim for a easy day trip. You can also use the bus with a connection to get to Montepulciano or train to Chiusi from Siena which is the closest train to Montepulicano and take a taxi from there to town. I did a taxi to the station this past summer but I don't recall the price in euro. Bus information- http://www.tiemmespa.it/index.php/Viaggia-con-noi/Orari-e-linee/Siena/Urbano/Siena

Or you can closer to Rome in a place like Viterbi

I never rent a car when traveling solo. I've been to Arezzo, Sansepolcro, Siena, Gubbio, Todi, Cortona, and, closer to Rome, Bolsena, Frascati, and several other places. I've used trains and buses.

Do you want to go base in one city? from Siena you can get to Montalcino or Anghiari, among other places, either for a day trip or overnight.

Thanks Robert and Zoe. Where would I find bus schedules? I think I'd like to stay in one place and do day trips. I was in Siena this September and I think I'm looking for a smaller city to use as a base, but the transport is probably out of bigger cities. Zoe - is Arezzo worth visiting? I think I'm looking for small towns to wander and eat and drink and explore.

You're correct: agriturismos are generally not going to be near a train station.

A few years ago we stayed in tiny Spello in Umbria using it as a base for exploring Assisi (very close by bus or train), Perugia, Spoleto and vicinity. Frankly we could have stayed longer than our 5 nights! The train station is a self-service type, about a 20 minute walk from the town center, although there is a taxi. We had a delightful time, immersion in the culture, great small family restaurants in Spello and very sweet people! Had no trouble getting where we wanted to go by train or bus. As to bus schedules, I frequently Google my needs, i.e., "bus spello to assisi" which usually gets me hat I need, or try Rome2Rio.com. That's my current love for transportation planning.

Great, thanks Laurel. I'll check it out.

Barbara,

Montepulciano is also easy to get to by train to Chiusi Scalo, then bus. I did what Rick said, just walked out the train station to the bus stop and found the bus to Montepulciano.

Perugia is a wonderful, a very overlooked small city, and is easy to get to by train.
Spoleto, Trevi, Foligno, Spello, Assisi, Perugia are all on the same regional line and are quick trips. Then you have Montefalco and Bevagna by bus from Foligno, and Gubbio by longer bus from Perugia.

I understand your need for bus schedules but it might be best to pick a base, then go to the tourist office in town and get the most recent up-to-date bus schedules for the surrounding communities.

Rome2rio.com has links to sites with bus schedules. Or you can check Lonely Planet for general info on how to get from place to place.

I really like Arezzo, it has a beautiful centro storico, a castle, and significant art.

Thanks so much. This is my first time wandering alone and I'm not sure why I feel nervous or in the need for hard plans. But it sounds like the best idea is to pick my base and then see where local buses are going and go with the flow. Great ideas from everyone!

Wherever you decide to base, the TI office will be able to help with ideas and transportation schedules.

Enjoy planning!