Rome to Tuscany for 2 days
 

Hello all: Husband and I are renting an apt in Rome Apr 9-19. We are considering training to Orvieto and renting car and touring Tuscany a bit and most likely staying over one night. Does anyone have any suggestions for us- we are quite open to all. Thanks

You're going to have to get more specific with your quest for suggestions. Lodging? Sights? Logistics?

I would stay longer. The car rental is the same for 1 or 3 days. I would drive to Pienza or San Quirico area and explore the hill towns. Look at this place for real value.

http://www.camprena.it/

Have you considered renting the apartment in Rome for a shorter time and spending a few more days in Tuscany?

I'm not a fan of http://www.camprena.it/. It's too isolated for me and last time I was there, there were warning signs about cars being broken into in their parking lot.

Just wanted to get a "taste" of the region, visit a couple towns; get a break from Rome :)

As nice a place as Orvieto is, I suggest you go one more stop on the train to Chiusi and rent the car there, because for a trip as short as yours, it would make sense to maximize your time driving in the most scenic areas of Tuscany.

What I would do is rent the car in Chiusi and head over to Pienza, see the town and head to Montepulciano for lunch. After that, I would go up in the direction of Montalcino and pick sights or towns to see there, but basically look to spend the night around the area of Montalcino or San Giovanni d'Asso or Montisi. I would probably look for a farm or winery with accommations and a restaurant, but you might prefer a hilltown.

In the morning, pay a visit to the Abbey of MonteOliveto Maggiore, and then drive over to the area of Monteriggioni/Castellina in Chianti for lunch. After lunch, drive around the Chianti, and buy lots of wine, cheese, etc., but ultimately drive to the airport in Florence, drop off the car, take the bus or a taxi to the Florence train station, and take the fast train from there back to Rome.

Make Orvieto an overnight visit. There's so much to see and the Duomo closes in the afternoon. I wasn't able to see it on my last visit if I wanted to make my return train.
A day trip to Ostia Antica, the ancient seaport near Rome is, in my opinion, better than Pompeii. It's only a 30 minute train ride from Rome. Download a podcast to listen to. (A day trip to Pompeii, via Naples, is doable if you get an early start.)

Visit Frascati, the home of Popes and Emperors in the Castelli Romani hill region just outside Rome. It's a 20 minute train ride and the view of Rome is amazing at night.
The area is renowned for it's crisp, white wines and you could do a wine tour from there. The Villa Aldobrandini is stunning and worth the trip itself.
There's lots to do around Rome without driving several hours.