Hotel Garden in Siena is nice. I just stayed there about a year ago. It isn't in the old city, so you have to drive in (you DO have a car). I've also stayed at the Jolly Hotel, which is right across the street from one of the entrances into the old city, right by the bus station.

Either one would be good, but for different reasons. The Jolly, if you plan to spend a lot of time in Siena. The Garden has a location on the edge of the city, making it easier to reach the Chianti region and other smaller towns. You don't have to fight the traffic in the old city to get OUT of it.

Doug, since I am already nervous about renting a car (driving where I don't know a thing about and the whole process) do any of your horror stories need to be shared for our own sake? Also, so far, the tours in tuscany seem very expensive. We are thinking of (well, maybe dreaming about) driving to some places on our own. Any suggestions on taking on the roads is very appreciated.

Taking a 6 week trip to Europe. We'll be in Italy Sept 18 thru Oct 1. Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Cinque Terre.
I booked all this in January of this year and many places I wanted to stay were already booked. Planning a trip can be a full time job. Lots of good info on Fodors.
Good Luck!

I would like to read the horror stories too. I have driven all over Italy without any unusual problem. My son drove all over Tuscany and down to Rome and over to Florence when he was young without a problem.

ljc4creb, many of the people who post here have made plans to meet up with other posters who happen to be traveling at the same time.

We could all wear pink boas just in case we run into a Fodorite by surprise. You go first.

Who is in Venice November 16 -17?

In Rome look at the Aventino San Anselmo hotel group. I love staying up on the Aventine (see my other posts for details, including the "views in Rome" thread) It's wonderfully quiet and pretty, not in the dead center of action but not on the outskirts of town, either.

Since you want to take a train out of town, I suggest making Orvieto your stop (That's Umbria, not Tuscany, but you can get a car at the train station there, drive to Asissi and on into Tuscany.) Orvieto itself is great, a lively and beautiful town with a gorgeous Duomo, among other attactions.

I should say that one of my favorite Italian views by car was coming toward Orvieto from the west, via Viterbo. Late in the day, the city is truly like a golden monument on its plateau.

Looks like Italy is going to be crowded with Fodorites in October. We, my husband, sister and a friend from Spain are planning a 6 week trip starting with a flight from Phoenix to Munich on 26 September. We first meet up with some German friends and go to Lago Maggiore for a week. Then visit relatives in Torino.
Next we pick up a leased car in Milan and travel to Venice, where we have an apartment for 3 nights on the mainland near Mestre where I have stayed several times and know the family well. If anyone is interested, it is at Holiday Center Valdor. There is a ferry from Mestre to Venice.
From there we go to Tuscany where I have rented an apartment for a week. This was recommended by a friend who showed us the most beautiful photos he took there. You can find this at www.tenutalacipresseta.com/info. The week costs 420 Euros.
Next we have a 2 bedroom apartment near Rome for a week called Vigna Licia - www.vignalicia.it. It looks fabulous online, hope it is good. My concern was having a place where the car will be safe and there is good public transportation into Rome. This cost $540 Euros.
I have booked several B&Bs for one or two night stays in various other places. You are correct, planning is a lot of work, especially coordinating visits with friends, etc., but lots of fun. And the Forum is so much help.
I'm not worried about driving, although we won't take the car into the cities, because I lived for 30 years in Europe and put on a lot of miles.
Enjoy your trip. Maybe we will pass each other on the way.

ljc- Regarding rental car horror stories; horror might have been a little strong, but I'll tell you what I heard and you can decide. First, I was told that driving in large cities was not a good idea if you're not used to it bacause all Italians supposedly tailgate big time and pay not much attention to lane dividing lines! Driving the country roads is apparently not bad though if you can read a map and find parking at your destination.
The private tours usually will cost about 300-400 euros for half a day, but we'd rather do that and not worry about getting a rental car.

Doug, driving in central Rome is pretty much out of the question, except in and out of the car rental at the terminal. Central neighborhoods are closed expcept to residents with stickers.
But my brief expereience with Italian drivers was good. In Rome they are skilled but aggressive drivers. But most city drivers are fairly aggressive, it seems. Impatient would be another good word. But unlike a lot of drivers I see here in the NYC area, Roman drivers do seem to be paying attention ...
Driving is a great option for going to several towns in one area, or if the area you're visiting has sights far flung from one another. In any of the big 4 or 5 cities in Italy, it's pointless to have a car, unless you're fist order of business is to leave!

SeaU....the pink boa would be really fun but maybe a "fodor's orange" bandanna tied onto you or your bag. Anyone????

Does Fodor's have "Fodor's Gear" such as Tripadvisor does? Shirts, hats, bags, pins, etc? Just wondering.

I'm in planning stage of approx 2 weeks in early Oct. Judging from here, I better start booking rooms. I am a solo traveler so I just need a decent place to sleep, no frills, and near good food.

No way I'm wearing pink anything.

ok Fodorite orange then.

ok then

Maybe closer to the time we can post our itineraries and see if where they overlap. Then maybe plan to meet if possible.

Barbara, that is a good idea. Maybe keeping this thread going with each others great planning accomplishments. I am in "tour confusion" myself. Which one, when, how......I have only 3 days in Rome, 3 in Tuscany, 2 in Florence, and l.5 in Venice. I emailed for the Scavi Tour in February and wonder if I did it too early. They are not computer-talkie people and I don't remember getting a confirmation that they got my info. Wondering if I should send it again?

LJC - I am going at the end of Sept\beginning of October. My flights and hotel have all been done. Only thing pending are reservations for certain attractions (ie: Uffizzi)and rental car reservations. We will go to Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Bellagio, and Milan.

Things are looking better that we may be able to get to Italy late Sept./early Oct.
I think Delta will be releasing some BE class reward tiokets soon.
Our last fall trip (2 falls ago) we had 2 GTG's. One thru Slow Travel and the other with folks from Foder's. Maybe we will be able to do it again.

We'll be there in October as well. Rome (4 or 5 nights), Florence/Tuscany (5 nights), Venice (4 nights) and Positano (5 nights). Trying to get a night at Perugia on the way from Rome to Florence for the chocolate festival - fingers crossed!

Can anyone tell me what the weather is normally like in October? Warm and sunny? Regular rain? Cold and miserable?

Forgot to add what we've done! We're from Australia and we purchased our tickets in December when the early bird specials came out. We're flying Qantas/BA with connections through Singapore/London on the way there and London/Bangkok on the way home.

We've also booked our Rome, Florence and Venice accomodation. Palladuim Palace, Hotel Davanzati and Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo respectively. Just waiting on word from Positano but we're tossing up between Hotel Miramare and Villa Gabrisa.

Any comments?