two weeks alone

Where do you plan to go after your tour? If you're going to stay in cities, use public transport. It's quite excellent in Italy. If you want to go into the countryside, that's where you may consider a car but even then a lot of the smaller cities and towns still have bus and/or train connections. Just depends on where you want to go. But I would say take public transport wherever possible. Driving in Italian cities is a nightmare, but in the countryside a relative pleasure.

I want to visit countryside and smaller towns so felt car may be best option. I am staying a week in Orvieto and week in Cortona and welcome any suggestions. Wasn't sure how easy it would be to go from town to town via bus. Thank you for your advice!

Anne, since you will be staying 1 week in Orvieto and 1 week in Cortona, a car will be by far the easiest way to get around. I'm not sure where your organized tour ends, but for example if it ends in Rome, I would take the train to Orvieto and then rent a car there. While there are public transport options in some of the larger towns in Tuscany & Umbria, the system is not comprehensive and your options will be quite limited if you rely on public transportation alone. It makes perfect sense to rent a car and it's easy to drive in the countryside but I would definitely use a GPS. Have a great trip!

Anne we just got back from a few days in Cortona at Hotel Italia. It was fabulous and loved the hilltown. Driving in Italy can be very challenging, at the very least. It is expensive and parking is an absolute nightmare. However, in Cortona, there is a lot of parking immediately outside the walls (a 10 minute walk). When in cortona, dine at Trattoria Dardano, it is fabulous, inexpensive and great atmosphere. All the locals go into this place and that is the best way to determine a great restaurant. The homemade pastas were 6 euro a plate and were fabulous and very filling, try finding a bowl of homemade pastas in the usa for 7.80 a bowl!! Message me if you need anymore info about Cortona or the hilltowns, we have been lucky enough to go to Italy several times and have driven and used public transportation. We live in a rural area here in PA and I never use the trains or buses here and felt very comfortable in Italy using them.

Anne, If you decide to rent a car, note that you'll need the compulsory International Driver's Permit which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Failure to produce an I.D.P. if requested can result in fines on the spot! You can obtain these easily at any AAA office. You'll also need to be very careful to avoid the dreaded ZTL areas, which exist in many towns in Italy (even the smaller ones). If you pass through these, expensive fines will result! Happy travels!

Detail where you wish to go then check for public transit options. There is really no quick way thru this otherwise. A car in Italy can be a nuisance and bother even in countryside depending wher you lodge. Parking, safety of vehicle are all time consuming as well as navigation without a co-pilot. I have driven a lot in Itlay but I will always opt for bus or train over car if poss.
cars can also be pricey to rent.