My family and I will be in Florence for 11 days this September. We would like to visit some of the small hill towns outside of Florence--- Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano and the Chianti Classico area. What is the best way to get to these places--- renting car, train,bus???

With 11 days, why not stay in Florence for a couple of days for the art, then one or two bases outside of Florence for a more rural or small town experience? You will most likely want a car.

We are big train buffs but I agree with many posters here that a car is extremely helpful outside of Florence. Hard to beat driving through Chianti region, and a car makes good use of your time.

I agree about considering staying outside Florence for part of the time unless your time there is fixed for other reasons. Villa L'Olmo in Impruneta, for example, is 9 miles outside Florence and you get an apartment for about half the price of a moderate hotel in Florence. There's a bus into Florence across the street and there's parking and easy access to many other towns and sites.

And of course you won't want a car *in* Florence IMO.

Busses do hit various towns in the region, and most prefer a bus to Siena vs. train.

You don't need any car to reach those places as public transport is excellent - buses scoot to Chianti and Siena constantly for dirt-cheap few euro fares - trains the best way to get to Lucca. San Gimi can be reached by a train - several mile shuttle bus link or by bus directly or from Siena.

Thank you all so much....Our accommodations are already paid for in Florence so our visits will have to be day-trips. This is very helpful.

The Florence bus station is right by the main Santa Maria Novella train station and you IME never need to buy or reserve those buses ahead of time - just hop on - there are an incredible number of buses say to Chianti and Siena - you have to buy a ticket before boarding the bus I believe (not sure as have not taken one in a few years so may have changed) - buy it at the ticket window in the bus station - in Siena or other towns you may have to go to a Tabbiachi (sp?) a tobacconist shop to get the ticket and validate it yourself - in both cases I think, by sticking it in machines outside the bus stop or on the bus - ask when buying the ticket about that.