Hello, I spent an hour responding to a poster seeking advise about renting a car in Florence and driving around Tuscany and thought I'd share it here in case it may be helpful to anyone's travel planning.

Renting a car in Florence to drive to Tuscany is so easy! We rented a car in Florence on the street known as Borgo Ognissanti, a 10 min walk from the train station, and drove to Chianti region starting in Vagliagli. It was really a fun trip! Google maps took us on a shortcut of sorts which included some dirt roads but by doing so we saw some beautiful Villas and other unique Tuscan sights.

I have traveled Italy several times and by different means of transport and would recommend some things that may be of interest to you. I have no relation to any of these places. I'm just a traveler who has had some incredible experiences with them.

1) Go to Tuscanylovers.com and look at their vacation rentals. We stayed in one at Vagliagli in the Chianti region of Tuscany and also did a horse riding excursion in the wooded back country on an unbelievably beautiful and remote trail with running streams and old abandon farm houses. Sergio, our guide, is an expert horseman and was very trust worthy to lead our ride! It's called Borgo Cignano Equestrian Center. Upon returning to the stables, a older local lady prepared an authentic 4 course meal (part of the package cost). It was served mid-afternoon in a local farm house dining room (think rock walls and open door-ways to the outside) with the kitchen on one side and the tack room on the other right next to the wine press room. Truly fantastic ambiance! In all my travels I have never had such an authentic meal experience and the food was just amazing!
2) When visiting Siena, get away from the main plaza, Piazza del Campo, to eat. I have had terrible meals on the plaza but incredible meals just a 10 minute walk away. One such meal was at II Vinaio on Via Sant' Agate street. I had the best pasta dish and it was a cheap and easy place to eat!
3) Visit San Gimignano for the best gelato in Italy (IMHO) located in the main square at the Gelateria Dondoli for about 3-5 Euros depending on scoops.
4) NEVER pay 6-10 Euros for gelato. There are so many scam places in Florence who sell very average gelato for hugely inflated prices to poor unsuspecting tourists!.
5) My favorite small hill-town is Pienza. It has fewer tourists, is small to walk through and has great views of the Tuscan countryside from the edge of the town. There are many many other small hill-towns that are incredible to visit but Pienza was convenient to our location.

I am no Rick Steves but have other suggestions for Italy travel if you have any.


Tuscan Countryside May 2017

Good. I am taking this exact trip in two weeks. We are renting a car at the Florence airport and staying in the Tuscan countryside for a week, then spending two days in Florence and three days in Venice. All of the places you mentioned I have been to before but the last time I was in this part of Tuscany was in 2005. I will be following this post to get updated advice.