My husband and I will be spending 2 1/2 weeks in Tuscany in July. (I know, I know, Hot and crowded, but I'm enrolled in a pottery class there in mid-July)

We'll be staying at the school near Certaldo (Chianti Region?) for a week, and plan to add 1 1/2 weeks onto that.

We are thinking of staying for nearly a week in Siena, using that as our base. Taking train trips here or there. i.e., we're considering taking the train into Florence for a day trip.

We are trying to decide whether or not to rent a car (at the end of our 4-5 days in Siena), to drive to Certaldo (the class), and from there to hill towns ending w/Cortona. The car could be dropped off in Chiusi.

The class begins and ends on weekend days, which I understand poses a problem w/public transportation schedules. This made me think about a rental.

Our original thought was to just use trains and buses. Yet, I have read that getting around the small hill towns is easier if you rent a car.

Problem is, my husband is scared to drive in Italy.

How difficult is it to drive in Tuscany? We would not plan to drive in Siena, Florence..just the hill towns.

Any thoughts?

Candice

I will be doing this in May, myself.

Country driving is a lot different from city driving wherever you go. I am sure you will be fine.

Outside of the city centers, driving in Tuscany is not at all frightful. The roads, even in the small towns, are well marked and easy to navigate. The drivers tend to drive fast but its ok. In the cities, different story but it doesnt sound like you are planning on doing that.

When you are on the highways, the left lane is truly meant for passing so you should stick to the right lanes. The drivers will indeed zoom up right behind you if you are cruising in the left lane. Not unlike some drivers here but its just more common. Other than that, the highways are similiar to ours.

So the fears are not needed - it won't be all that different from here. I think some of the stories about driving in Italy come from Rome, even Florence but not tuscany. There is a lot of hilly terrain and you may have to go slow around some curves, but its all fine.

Having a care in Tuscany is a must in my opinion. Its the countryside and its just not equipped for public transportation. You will also have more freedom and ability to see more of the area.

A rental car it is, then. Thanks.

i am interested in the pottery class you are taking.can i have info?thanks