markwill12

As part of our upcoming trip, we are checking out of our hotel in Rome on September 25th and heading to a hotel near Siena, where we will spend 5 nights. We will be renting a car that day and returning it in Florence before we fly back to Paris.

Our plan right now is to grab a train from Rome Termini, head north ("somewhere" - that's really the focus of my post), grab the car and then take a leisurely drive to Siena. I'd like to ensure that the journey to our hotel near Siena is as enjoyable and scenic as it can be - I can't wait for that part of the trip, actually.

I like train travel (though VERY rarely do so). So, I am happy to spend more money or time on the train if it means a beautiful, scenic trip. So, that's one option I need to figure out. Then again, I don't mind the idea of a faster train either

Another decision is where we are headed on the train. The ease of picking up the car is one factor but I'd also like to have a beautiful drive from wherever we get off the train to Siena. Again, we will be in no hurry. Orvieto and Chiusi have been mentioned. What about coastal destinations - anything that springs to mind?

Logistically, it seems I need to consider when the train arrives at our drop off point (time of day, so the car place is open), the fact that we are doing a one-way rental (a quick scan on AutoEurope suggested I could be restricted in terms of the pick up location, for one way rentals) and so on. We are traveling with one bag each so our luggage isn't a significant factor.

Anyway, there's all that expanse of Tuscany to the north of Rome We have plenty of time that day and I want to make the most of it. Would love to hear suggestions.

Thanks.

Mark

nytraveler

The larger the rental office the better choice of cars and the more h ours it would be open. If you go to a tiny office you can well be limited to a few cars - and not any automatics (if you need that).

When leaving rome we pick up a car on the way out - there are major offices near Borghese - and we always call before we go over to make sure they have the right car - so if they don't they can find one.

markwill12

Thanks, NyTraveler. The thing is I am kind of looking forward to the train ride too So, it's actually something of a preference to grab the train initially and - since we are so close to Termini - it just seems like it's an option begging to be enjoyed

You raise a good point about the size of the rental office. That will a factor in our decision to some degree but I'd need to first identify a good destination (when we hop off the train).

Any thoughts on the coastal destination suggestion?

Thanks.

Mark

PalenQ

There are two routes by train/bus - the slow regional train route via Orvieto to Siena - with a probably change of trains at Chiusi, a stop on the mainline from Rome where the sideline to Sienna comes in.

there are several major car rental offices in Chiusi just opposite the station and the drive from here could go via nearby Multipulciano - the travel of course avoids hill towns proper but goes thru a valley several miles from many - so the Montepulciano train station may be several kms from the hill town itself.

The other route may be quicker - take a high-speed train from Termini to Florence SMN - the main in-town station and hop over to the adjacent bus station where buses roll 3-4 times an hour or so I believe to Siena - to near the top of the hill Siena royally crowns - if you car rental is down below the hill on the east side not sure the buses pass that area (where the train station is) - but if the office is up top then that's better~

High-speed trains to Florence SMN demand a seat reservation before boarding - given out automatically with any ticket you purchase) and you can score nice discounts if you book far enough in advance to get these limited in number tickets sold and the bus fare (Google Sita buses Tuscany) is just a few euros.

Regional trains like from Rome to Chiusi and Chiusi to Siena are a flat-fare and dirt cheap and reservations are not even possible - buy a thru ticket and you could hop on and off at Orvieto where the regional trains stop but high-speed ones do not, skirting the town on a new high-speed rail line.

I would say the regional train route via Chiusi is more scenic than the new high-speed line but not awesomly scenic IME. For lots of good stuff on Italian trains I always spotlight: www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

tuscanlifeedit

I'm not sure that we are all following you. You want to go from Rome to Siena, but you want to ride a train and rent a car, is that right? Where does a bus come in?

You want to ride a train because you like trains, and you want to also drive a very scenic drive, and maybe include the coast... I tend to think that you're asking too much from this very short journey.

Orvieto is pretty smack on your way. Easy to get a train there; pretty easy to rent a car there, then you can ask about scenic routes.

In Arezzo, the rail station is close to SOME of the rental places, but some are in a nearby industrial estate that is kind of a pain to get in and out of.

General recommendations are to train from Rome to Chiusi or Orvieto, as the trains are direct and the rentals are available. My suggestion would be to not try to complicate that.

I would do that or just drive.

markwill12

Thank you, PalenQ. Great info and I will take a close look at those options.

OK, so humour me here! I have this on my mind and I'm guessing it's just "too much" - but let me get it off my chest! What about Cinque Terre? Here's my, er, train of thought.

So, we have discounted Cinque Terre from our trip this time because have lots to see in Tuscany and we can do that another time. I am aware that it's well worth more than a single day. But...

The idea of at least a few hours there is attractive. We have no problem getting up pretty early on the 25th, if the rewards are sufficient. A quick scan suggests that there's a Frecciabianca train that leaves around 6:15am and gets into La Spezia Centrale just after 9am. Head to Cinque Terre for a few hours then (if we can find a car rental place nearby) and then something like a 2 1/2 hour car ride to Siena.

We don't mind an early start or a long day. And I totally get that one normally would want much longer in Cinque Terre. But we would like to see it and then we gave several days to relax in Tuscany - which I am sure is just about as good a place to relax as anywhere in the world

Anyway, is that TOTALLY nuts?

Mark

tuscanlifeedit

Well, check for one way rentals in La Spezia and see if the rental office times are within your possibilities?

Seems nuts to me, but it's your trip and not mine. And maybe not THAT nuts if you can rent in La Spezia, and I have no idea if you can.

Your plans are also weather dependent, and those are plans that I don't like to make, but again, it's not me.

tuscanlifeedit

Also, the drive from La Spezia to Siena might not be the drive you were dreaming of.

But all this is speculation until you find out if you can rent a car there and what the hours are on your chosen day.

markwill12

I just got onto the Hertz site and there is a rental option in La Spezia. A one way rental, dropping off in Florence, came up trumps (around 390 euro, fully inclusive (taxes, one way, insurance, etc), for the car I selected). Will check the small print but that at least looks promising.

Please tell me more about the drive - a bit dull? I do have some hopes that the drive would be scenic but that's a bit more difficult to research.

Thanks.

Mark

PalenQ

Real dull if you want to do it quick at all - side roads would go over hills and take forever (La Spezia to Siena) - the main highways are often not scenic but much faster).

markwill12

Thank you. That (a dull or really long drive) might swing me against this idea then. The first part of the day (train ride then time in Cinque Terre) is attractive but a number of hours along a less-than-attractive route is a bit of a turn off.

Thanks for the info.

Mark

kybourbon

The slower trains between Rome/Florence stop at Orvieto and Chiusi (same train line). You could pick a car up at either location if your timing works. They close Sunday, open until 1 on Saturday and close usually between 1-4 on other days.

The most scenic route would be driving from Chiusi to Siena via Montepulciano and Pienza areas. This is southern Tuscany and the areas you typically see in postcards.

>>>Anyway, is that TOTALLY nuts?<<<

Yes, your CT idea is totally nuts.

>>>a hotel near Siena<<<

That could mean anything. Without a location, it's hard to advise you. Many of the very scenic areas are within an easy drive of Siena (including towards Chiusi).

>>>Anyway, there's all that expanse of Tuscany to the north of Rome<<<

The area north of Rome is Lazio, not Tuscany. Orvieto is in Umbria (Orvieto is south of Chiuisi a few train stops).

>>>the slow regional train route via Orvieto to Siena - with a probably change of trains at Chiusi,<<<

No probably about it. You will have to change trains at Chiusi or you won't be going on to Siena (or take different trains and change in Florence).

>>>The other route may be quicker - take a high-speed train from Termini to Florence SMN - the main in-town station and hop over to the adjacent bus station where buses roll 3-4 times an hour or so I believe to Siena<<<

That is not quicker and much more hassle. Buses to Siena might be hourly at best (with a gap or two depending on time of day), not 3-4 per hour.

The easiest, fastest way to reach Siena is the Sena bus from Rome. It's just as fast as taking a train and changing at Chiusi and much more comfortable (the old trains on these routes have no amenities and usually no AC). You also don't have to worry with luggage as it's stored beneath the bus. The bus is 24€ and takes 2:40 (-10-15 minutes if you get off at the train station for that Hertz location instead of the historic center).

http://www.sena.it/Home/78-1-en.html

markwill12

Kybourbon, sorry if I wasn't more clear but I will arrive at our near-Siena destination by car, which is why I wasn't specific (for the record, though, we are staying in Serre di Rapolano, about 20 mins from Siena).

I am prepared (indeed very happy) to have a multi-hour drive to get to our hotel.

I am curious about the comment that the Cirque Terre idea nuts. But I'd like clarify why - just too far, etc? I'm probably not going for that idea now, given other comments that the drive to Siena is less than exciting, but I am still interested to know what aspect puts you off (because some of this may be subjective).

As I mentioned, we have one bag each so no concerns about luggage.

Based on your comments, I am starting to favor the Chiusi train and then the drive to Siena.

Thanks again for the pointers.

Mark

PalenQ

given other comments that the drive to Siena is less than exciting>

chiusi to Siena can be real scenic if you take the route kybourbon recommended bvia Montepulciano and Pienza - but the main road following the rail line in a valley is OK but not dramatically scenic as the hill town route would be - but those side roads IME can be tedious at times, following trucksm etc on two-lane roads.

bvlenci

I don't think there's any point at all in going to the Cinque Terre for a few hours. The towns are absolutely shoulder to shoulder with tourists for about six months of the year. If you could stay for two nights and get out into the hills, it might be worth the long and tedious trip.

tuscanlifeedit

I was thinking that by the time you got a car in La Spezia, after leaving Rome at the crack of dawn, taking two trains to the CT, then a train to La Spezia and get a car, you won't have time for a nice drive to Siena. A drive, yes, but a rather late and exhausted one.

kybourbon

>>>I am curious about the comment that the Cirque Terre idea nuts. But I'd like clarify why - just too far, etc? I'm probably not going for that idea now, given other comments that the drive to Siena is less than exciting, but I am still interested to know what aspect puts you off (because some of this may be subjective).<<<

You knew it was nuts or you wouldn't have asked if it was nuts. To catch a 6 am train, you may have to leave your hotel at 5am which means getting up and packing even earlier. By the time you get to La Spezia, transfer to the car rental (don't believe it's walking distance of La Spezia Centrale), get your car, drive to CT, find parking (you do know you can't actually drive in CT?), transport into CT, train between a town or two, it will likely be late afternoon and you will have a long trek to Siena (not scenic as you will probably take the autostrada since it's about a 3 hour drive). All that hassle to glance at the CT a minute?

Now it turns out your destination is not actually Siena, but a town quite a distance (30 minutes away). Your actual destination is only 30-40 minutes from Montepulciano. If you want a scenic 3-4 hour drive, pick up the car in Orvieto, drive to your destination via Sorano and Pitigliano. That will take the 3-4 hours (longer with stops). You can visit Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, etc. on other days as they are closer.

Otherwise, Sena bus to Siena, pick up the car, drive via Buonconvento (quick visit) south to the monastery Monte Olivieto Maggiore for a visit and on to your destination via Asciano.

http://www.monteolivetomaggiore.it/lang1/

Mimar

We took a train from Rome to Chiusi, then a bus to Siena. The ride to Siena via Asciano was absolutely beautiful, like a magic carpet. We fell in love with Tuscany. I don't see why you couldn't duplicate this bus ride in a car. Actually Asciano is very near Serre di Rapolano, your actual destination.

BTW as a general rule it's not advisable to pick up or drop off a rental car in central Florence. It's too easy to inadvertently stumble into a ZTL, a locals-only driving zone. For which you'll get an expensive ticket much later.

markwill12

If I ask "Is X true?" that means "I know X is true"? Interesting conclusion No, it was a very genuine question and I had no idea it was nuts. And while I am not going to do it, for other reasons, I don't see things quite the same way, which is why I suggested it was subjective.

. I get up at 5am quite regularly, so have no problem with that at all. I LOVE the early morning. Sadly for my sleeping habits, I also love late nights
. I'd pack the night before, of course. Single bag and all that...
. We'd be in La Spazia by 9am. As far as I can tell, it's 10 miles or so from Cinque Terre.
. I didn't plan on picking up the car at that time, precisely because I was aware I can't (nor would want to) drive in Cinque Terre. I planned on picking up the car after our visit there. But I am not sure what options exist to get there (train, etc) but I was hoping there were other options.

Anyway, it doesn't seem quite so outlandish to me but I agree it's all a bit of a rush. The lack of a scenic journey to Siena is a big factor for me.

I didn't say in the opening post that we are in Siena ("heading to a hotel near Siena"). Again, that's perhaps subjective (I'd certainly consider it close enough that it wouldn't significantly impact our choice of earlier destination). The 3-4 hour journey you suggest sounds attractive and I will research that. As you also suggest, we plan to use our hotel as the base for a number of day trips. I'm looking forward to that part

Thanks again.

Mark

markwill12

Mimar, my assumption and plan was that I'd return the car at Florence Airport before we fly back to Paris. Our hotel is outside of the ZTL, although I haven't researched the details yet. Hopefully the airport dropoff simplifies things.

Thanks.

Mark