Tuscany Towns/Florence

Just a few thoughts based on several assumptions from your posting. You are visiting only Tuscany, correct? Since most of Tuscany is rural and you are "well traveled" in Europe I assume you have no problem driving. You have several choices. One is to RT into one airport, Florence, something I rarely do because I use open jaw flights to avoid doubling back. We were there a few years ago and rented an apartment for five nights, which gave us the opportunity to take day trips by an all day bus to San Gimignano and Siena (one place you could spend a night or two) and Pisa and the Cinque Terre by train. The latter was a long day which resulted in us going back for two days a week later. None of these required a car. You also have the option to rent a villa, a place on a farm or other options which would require. Having a car opens up opportunities you would never get to using public transportation, off the beaten path "back doors", as Rick calls them. Even if you stay in the countryside you can drive to a small town train station, park your car (carefully) and take the train for a day trip into Florence. Actually you can do a combination of both, dividing your time as you see fit between the country and Florence. If you do this I would recommend renting your car when you arrive at the airport in Florence and go out into the countryside, then turn it in at the same place before venturing into the city. You do not need a car in Florence and a taxi will easily get you back to the airport. If you want to rent a house or apartment if Florence used Pitcher and Flaccomio who were recommended to me on this site and their web site is http://www.pitcherflaccomio.com/new/index.php?lang=en. Several English speaking US expats work there. This gives you a lot of flexibility because you can get fresh fruits, veggies and flowers every morning in a variety of piazzas and cook meals in when you like instead of eating out all the time. If you do call them ask about the "Lucy" apartment in the Oltrano section of Florence, or you can also look it up on their site. Two bedrooms, nice living room and kitchen and you can watch the street vendors show up below at 6 AM every day with their wares. There is also a church in Florence who does live opera on weekends to support their hungry children in Africa and India program. Lastly, don't forget to make reservations well in advance for attractions you want to see, i.e. Accademia (David), the Uffizi, etc., and by all means climb to the top of the Duomo. Others, I'm sure, will be able to give you more specifics about places to stay out in the country. Happy travels. I'm going back there solo in May.
Jim

1: FLR and PSA are in Tuscany. BLQ is about 1.5 hours from Florence by bus/train. FCO is 2.5 hrs from Florence (by train).
2. It depends on your preference and on whether you have a car. Without a car it's best to stay in Florence, with one it's best to stay out of it.
3. With a car any village/town between Florence and Siena works. Even a countryside farmhouse, villa or out of town hotel works. Without a car it's best to stay in Florence (or Siena), so that you have public transportation options and can visit smaller places by bus.
4. First you need to decide on no. 2.
5. There are a lot recommended in this forum. You can do a search. However I generally ask locals to suggest one near where I happen to be around lunch/dinner time.
6. See no. 2. It's really your choice. A car is a huge hassle to have if you stay in Florence. A car is useful for small towns and countryside. If you decide on having a car, stay outside of Florence and visit it on a day trip from your base. Park outside the city center.

1. Which airport is best to fly in and out of? YOU COULD FLY INTO PISA AND TAKE THE TRAIN TO FLORENCE.
2. Is it best to stay in Florence when visiting (we plan 2-3 days) or spoke out from a Tuscan village? FOR 2-3 DAYS, I'D SUGGEST YOU STAY IN FLORENCE.
3. Which Tuscan village is best to stay in? YOU SHOULD MOVE TO AN AGRITURISMO BETWEEN CERTALDO, SAN GIMIGNANO AND POGGIBONSI. VIRTUALLY EVERY FARM IN THE REGION HAS ROOMS AND APARTMENTS FOR REASONABLE PRICES.
4. Any lodging recommendations? Budget is moderate--generous. SEE BOOKING.COM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PLACES TO STAY.
   
5. Any restaurant recommendations? I NEVER PRE-PLAN MEALS, BUT WING IT AS I GO.
   
6. Rent a car or public transport? IN FLORENCE, IT"S PUBLIC TRANSIT BUT MAINLY BY FOOT. PICKUP A RENTAL CAR IN A CITY RENTAL LOCATION ON YOUR WAY OUT OF TOWN.

MY FAVORITE HILLTOWNS ARE SIENA, CERTALDO, SAN GIMIGNANO AND VOLTERRA.

In Florence, I recommend Hostarina da Ganino in Piazza dei Cimatori, and Il Caminetto on Via dello Studio. Il Caminetto is a little more upscale in appearance but moderately priced. Both are near the Duomo.

We have stayed in Tuscany 3 times, once for two weeks and twice for a week. If Tuscany is your object then stay in a hilltown in an apartment with parking and spoke out from there. We have stayed in Montepulciano, in a hamlet near Siena and within walking distance of Lucignano. All were good. I would pick a spot in the Val d'Orcia as it is the most scenic part of the area. WE particularly liked Montepulciano because it is such a beautiful town and we would have lots of restaurant choices after a day driving in the countryside; it was also a lovely place to spend the day -- we tended to spend some days in town enjoying the view from our balcony and wandering the town and some days on the road visiting other towns, abbeys, gardens etc. We prefer being in a hilltown to a gite in the countryside since it gives you dining options without having to drive; you cannot drink if you plan to drive in Italy; their alcohol limits are much lower.

If you have not been to Florence before then I would spend at minimum 4 nights there and probably 5. If you are not driving then Florence is a good base because it is easy to get transport to many places in the region e.g. you can easily train to Arrezo, Lucca and bus to Siena. It is also easy to pick up day tours in the region from there.