TeriLS

We are going to Venice, Florence, and Tuscany in September. We plan to base ourselves in one town in Tuscany for a week --- possibly Volterra, and then take day trips to other towns. We will then fly out of Rome at the end of our trip. Does it make sense to rent a car in Florence and return it to Rome, or get the car in our base town, if available?

HappyTrvlr

I would pick up as you lave Florence and drop off in Rome. Otherwise, how will get to hill town..by bus and train?

TeriLS

HappyTrvlr - We would do that if we didn't rent in Florence.

StuDudley

I wouldn't base in Volterra - but that's not what you asked.

I would probably pick up the car as you leave Florence and drop it off in Orvieto, stow the bags in the car or the rental office, visit Orvieto, and then take the 1 hr train to Rome.

Stu Dudley

kybourbon

Does Volterra even have car rental? Many small towns don't.

StuDudley

No rentals in Volterra that Kemwel/AutoEurope provide.

Stu Dudley

leuk2

We rented a car in Siena, And dropped it off in Orvieto. Hertz is across street from Orvieto train station. Easy to take train into Rome. I think we rented through autoeurope.

TeriLS

leuk2 and StuDudley - Good suggestions about leaving the car in Orvieto and taking the train to Rome.

StuDudley - I'm not set on basing in Volterra. Why wouldn't you suggest it? Any other suggestions? We will have a car, a week, and want to enjoy the countryside.

StuDudley

Get out a map of Tuscany and put a red dot next to all the places you would like to visit.

My list would include:
- Volterra
- San Gimignano
- Drive through the Chianti countryside
- Castellina in Chianti
- Siena
- Arezzo
- Cortona
- Pienza
- Montepulciano
- Montalcino
- Mt Oliveto Maggiore
- drive through the Val d'Orcia (2 days worth)
- Sant Antimo Abbey
- Drive through Southern Tuscany visiting Radicofani, Sorano, Sovana, & Pitigliano
- Perugia (Umbria)
- Assisi
- Spoleto
- Todi

The first four are closer to Volterra. The last twelve are closer to Montepulciano/Pienza/Montalcino (Val d'Orcia). Siena is equal distance between Volterra and the Val d'Orcia.

I would stay in the Val d'Orcia. Plus, I think the Val d'Orcia is a much prettier countryside than the area around Volterra (or anywhere else in Italy).

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

Forgot - I omitted Lucca and Florence from the list because you indicated you were staying in Florence, & Lucca is a little too far away.

Stu Dudley

bellalinda

Not sure if I agree with Stu about the Val d'Orcia being much prettier than "the area around Volterra (or anywhere else in Italy)" But I certainly agree with his list.
I did a similar trip to what you are planning using similar advice from Stu(thank you !) but over 8 days stayed in 2 Toscana locations -4 nights at each - doing wonderful loops and day trips. It worked really well for me and I am very happy I chose the 2 locations
One was south of San Gimignano in which I toured the Chianti region twice and day tripped Sienna, Volterra (highlight for me)& SG and the other was in the Val d'Orcia where I day tripped Montalcino, Montepulciano, Mt Olivieto Maggiore, Sant Antimo Abbey etc as well as spent an enjoyable afternoon at a Terme. Both areas are distinct and incredibly beautiful -if you can swing the time to choose 2 base locations it's a much easier trip with less driving
Very difficult to choose the best area among all those amazing places on Stu's list but unquestionably the highlight that remains at the top of my list was touring Chianti in the fall with the vineyards in full color change- it made my heart sing.
I am planning a similar trip this fall so am back looking at the posts trying to narrow it all down again- I just need what we all need -a bit more time and a bit more money!

TeriLS

Bellalinda - Thank you for the good suggestions. So many incredible towns, so little time! This is our second trip to Italy but first to devote 2 weeks to a region. I am going to look into the idea of choosing 2 locations.