Fellow Fodorites:

I could really use some help here. We are a group of 7-9 who will spend a few days in Tuscany after our cruise, which ends in Civitavecchia, port for Rome, in November 2014.
We would like to take the train from the port to the town in which we will base for our visit.
We are open to going anywhere in Tuscany, as long as I can spend a day picking olives somewhere (on my bucket list!). Prefer relaxed sightseeing, and wine tasting
Prefer to fly home from Rome, as flights have fewer stops, and would like to be able to take the train back to the airport
Have resigned ourselves to needing car rental, but perhaps not for the entire visit ?
Possible to take the train to our destination city and pick up cars for a day or two for day trips?
Are we better off renting a house or staying in a B&B?
Any suggestions on which town we should base ourselves in?

I would take the train to Orvieto, pick up a car, visit Orvieto, and then stay in San Quirico for 4 nights. Smallish town - but everything you need for 4 nights. Fantastic countryside. Fourty-five minutes to Siena, 15 mins to Pienza, 25 mins to Montepulciano, 15 mins to Montalcino.

I would stay here:
http://www.palazzodelcapitano.com/

Here is something I posted about scenic drives in this region
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-171368-2.cfm

Stu Dudley

The hotel's English web site seems to be broken. Here is info from Trip Adviser.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...a_Tuscany.html

Stu Dudley

Investigate olive harvesting outings because that might impact or determine where you go/stay during your short visit.

But if Tuscany is the primary goal, you can rent the cars (you'll need two) in Civitavecchia and start heading wherever. I like Orvieto a lot, but getting there by train from the port involves 1-2 connections and takes longer than driving. Also, if you rent the cars at Civitavecchia, you only handle your luggage once as opposed to schlepping luggage on and off trains multiple times. If you'd be arriving in Orvieto on a Saturday afternoon or any time on Sunday, you wouldn't be able to rent the cars as the office would be closed. It's also closed for a few hours for lunch Monday-Friday.

If you definitely don't want to rent the cars at the port, you could also train to Grosseto (an hour or less) and rent the cars there, although I think the same Saturday, Sunday and lunchtime closing hours would apply.

Personally, I think it would be easier to drive the cars all the way to the Rome airport. No problem with open/closed hours, easy to follow signage, no luggage schlepping, etc.

I thank both of you for your responses and will look into your suggestions
Ease of travel is crucial to us, so we are willing to rethink the transportation issue
I was hoping we could do tuscany by train but it doesn't appear that's possible
So we are reverting to basing ourselves strategically and doing day trips from a central location

Picking up a car at the port and then dropping it off at the airport is a good plan. We've done that several times (actually, airport to airport). San Quirico is about 2 1/2 hrs from the airport.

I didn't know whether you were returning to Rome for a day or two there - or just leaving Tuscany and then getting on the flight. That's why I advised Orvieto. It is too early to book flights - so determine what you want to do and then book the time/day for your flight home.

Any reason why you can,t spend a few days in Rome or a few extra days in Tuscany??

Stu Dudley

Wow! So glad I stumbled upon this. I'm planning a 15 day trip with my daughter from US to Italy in June. Flying into Milan Malpensa, planned on getting to Florence by train, 2 night stay, then rental car to Tuscany for at least 5 nights, then to Rome. But by car, or return car and take the train. I've been warned about driving in southern Italy. So I'm looking at options such as train passes or car/train combo passes. Want to see Pompeii & CLIMB Vesuvius! Then take the train to Venice for the last 2 nights. Final trip back to Milan for a 1pm flight on a Sunday. By car or train? hmmm so much to plan and your expert advice is so greatly appreciated!!!

Tina56,

You should start a new thread for your trip (make Italy, two weeks, your title) because you will get much more advice specific to your needs. This thread will probably only bring answers to dperry's question about transportation and lodging in Tuscany.

First advice for you: the big loop you are thinking about into and out of Milan wastes a lot of travel time and money. Please re-think your itinerary, based on those things you are most excited to see, with a good map in hand.

Look at multi-city tickets (this is not two one way tickets - sometimes people say, open jaw). Fly into Rome or Naples (since you want to go to Pompeii) and out of Venice, or Milan if Milan is a must see city for you.

For the trip you are doing, point to point trains will be best, no passes necessary. Rent a car only for Tuscany.

Now, on to your own thread for tons of advice specific to your own trip.

It's very difficult to time the olive harvest, because it depends partly on the weather in the spring. This year we had a rather late harvest, because the spring was cold and damp. Often the harvest is in late October. However, if you join a for-tourists olive harvest tour, they may harvest it at any time. Once they're ready, the olives can hang on the tree for several more weeks. They lose some of their liquid, but don't spoil.

I don't really see the big deal about picking the olives, but maybe that's because it's no novelty to me; to me it would make more sense to do an oil tasting. There are various varieties of olive, each with different characteristics. We have a tree of the raggia variety, which is supposed to be the best for preserved olives.

regulars on this board are doubtless fed up with my mentioning it, but the ancient city of Orbetello on the southern Tuscan coast would suit you perfectly. It's on a direct train line from Civitavecchia, and is large enough to be interesting, without being overwhelmed by tourists. It's set in a lagoon with plenty of beaches to relax on, and lots of countryside and coast to see, loads of good restaurants too.

Being on the sea, Orbetello might not be the best destination for a November trip. For sure, there will be no relaxing on beaches!

Orbetello would be fine if the group is willing to experience a different Tuscany from the usual circuit. However, if they want to visit the class Tuscan hill towns, it's a long drive from most of those to Orbetello. For example, it would be at least a 2-hour drive from Orbetello to Montepulciano.

Orbetello is only an hour's drive from Sovana, a very pretty Tuscan town. It's also right next to the Maremma natural park, and you can get boats to the Isola del Giglio from nearby Porto Santo Stefano. There are also many interesting places to visit in nearby northern Lazio, a beautiful area almost totally overlooked by tourists. Tuscania is an interesting and charming hill town, less than an hour away. Tarquinia is not only a lovely town, but it also has one of Italy's best Etruscan museums, and a very important Etruscan necropolis, with beautiful painted tombs.

Considering the size of the group, I would suggest renting two cars. It might be cheaper than renting a van for a group of this size, and it would also allow splitting up some days to pursue different interests.

Anyone planning to drive must get an IDP (International Driver's Permit) to drive in Italy. You can get these easily and inexpensively at an Automobile Club. The IDP has to be carried ALONG WITH your normal license.

Thanks everyone for your insight and your helpful information. This is why I love Fodors forums!
If we decide to rent cars it looks like picking it up makes most sense
Some in group are suggesting we forego car rental and hire drivers and guides to pick us up at port, drive us to accommodation and use for day trips instead
If we were to do this would this change suggestions on where we base?
The group has been to Rome several times, most recently last year so we are not interested in spending time there this visit. (But may do a day trip to Florence as I love this city, and find it achingly beautiful)
Really interested in countryside and smaller towns, as cruise will be to many large cities

oops - missed that it was November. THerefore Orbetello might not be the BEST choice; bvlenci has set out some of the many things to do in the area, but swimming might not be one of them.

<<Some in group are suggesting we forego car rental and hire drivers and guides to pick us up at port, drive us to accommodation and use for day trips instead>>

could be a very expensive option. you would need 2 cars and drivers, and at least one guide, and to pay their accommodation, use of cars, keep, etc.

if you can get there, Siena could be a good centre - plenty to do in the city itself, loads of nice restaurants, good communications by train and bus. also you might like to think about using a car/guide like Hills and Roads :

http://www.hillsandroads.com/

I've not used them myself, but they get consistently good reviews here and on TA. They are quoting €365 for transfers to Siena from Rome for more than 4 people, and could do such day trips as you wished during your trip.

>>Some in group are suggesting we forego car rental and hire drivers and guides to pick us up at port, drive us to accommodation and use for day trips instead<<

You would probably need at least 3 cars with hired drivers if your group is 9 (4 people per car). It is a 3 hr drive to the Val d'Orcia area in Tuscany, or to Florence. If these guides are to also drive you to other destinations and back to Rome, you would need them for 4 days. I have no idea of how much it would cost - but it sounds like a huge amount of $$$$$.

Stu Dudley

Just wanted to again thank posters and particularly Stu Dudley for the valuable information
We have decided to base our group of 7 in Orvieto
Have reservation at casa Selita, made the choice after reading another Fodorites post recommending
this inn
Appreciate all the help!

And rent cars..you'll be in Umbria and want to see Tuscany too. I can't imagine touring in those areas without rental cars. We book through AutoEurope.

dperry,
I'm so jealous that your group is going to Casa Selita in Orvieto! You can pick the olives from the trees behind the B&B as you overlook the gorgeous countryside. Selita and Ennio are wonderful hosts--you won't want to leave! Please tell them "Annie" sent you, give them hugs from me, and come back and post a full report with pictures!