artsbabe

I guess I would vote for adding your extra 2 days to Rome and spending more time there. This way, you could be more relaxed given the heat. With 6 days, you might want to rent an apartment.

bowen

EVERYONE! Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and experiences ... the links are especially helpful for quick browsing of locations!

I've decided that Orvieto is calling me ... it sounds like the perfect location for a more laid-back pace and seems to be simply and easily en route from Florence to Rome.

Now, this begs the question ... to "rent a car" (one way from Florence to Rome) or to "take the train"? Once again, your thoughts on ease and economy of driving from Florence/Orvieto/Rome vs taking the train are appreciated. There will be three of us on this leg of the trip.

zeppole

Take the train.

LAwoman

Would only rent a car if you want to drive around Tuscany/Umbria. If all you are doing is visiting Orvieto, Rome and Florence, would definitely take the train. A car is useless in all three of these places.