Transportation to Italian hill towns

Thanks - I had heard that Sunday bus travel was problematic at best and that a car is really needed, but I find driving abroad too stressful to be worth it!

Thanks for the encouragement. I know it's not the ideal way to see a lot, but part of the point is to NOT be in a hurry or check off sights!

Rebecca,
I spent a month in Umbria. I would say it is almost impossible to rely on anything other than a car! Maybe Tuscany is a bit better but hill towns are hilly and trains are old and hot. Not sure about buses?

Debbie
Sherman Oaks, CA
USA

Rebecca, I did Tuscany with a car. I can't imagine trying to rely on the bus system. For one, as I was driving around I don't think I ever saw a bus even though I saw bus stops! For me, I can't do public transportation unless it's predictable, reliable, frequent, extensive and affordable. That's just my personal preference.

If I were doing the bus thing through Tuscany I'd plan on only going to one town per day and plan on having to stay in a hotel in that town each night. What I mean is that I'd plan on getting stuck somewhere because I just wouldn't be able to trust the bus system to be anything that even remotely resembles efficient.

I'm sure there are people out there who have used the bus system through Tuscany and had a wonderful experience. If so, then feel free to post here with some tips on how to make this happen.

OK - I'm convinced! I figured that was the case from all I'd read, but thought I'd check with Rick's travelers. Thanks for the input - I'll rent a car, already! :)

I was just in the italian hilltowns in Nov. From Florence i took a day trip out to San Gio by bus. That worked great - transfer in Poggibonsi. The bus then continues on to Siena.

I rented a car for 3 days and drove to Assisi, Montulpulciano, Pienza, Montalcino...the best experience! Leisurely visited these towns on our schedule. Best advice if you do rent a car...get the navigation system. Did that at Hertz and it worked perfectly, even in some of the very off the beaten path areas.

Good idea re the navigation system - thanks!