Just looking for feelers before I start researching. I'm thinking about a trip to Rome for a week in early September, but want to visit Tuscany for one or two days.

How many days is enough for Tuscany? Is it better to rent a car or take a train?

Thanks in advance.

I'm going next month to just Tuscany, and I am finding that just 9 days is not sufficient. Instead of doing a "drive by shooting," I plan to concentrate and leave room for a return visit.

For just 2 days, if you are into art, pick Florence. Wine country, pick Greve. Small villages, pick Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montelcino for starters.

Personal choice -- I would go by car. Gives you more flexibility and not held hostage to bus & train schedules.

<<Personal choice -- I would go by car.>>

... though not for "just" Florence, or maybe even Florence, plus a day trip to Siena (use the SITA bus - - Siena is an equally unfriendly place to take a car). The Rome-Florence train service on Eurostar - - only 95 minutes - - is something you simply cannot duplicate by car.

Best wishes,

Rex

If you want to do a side trip from Rome, I'd devote as many days as possible to Tuscany and Umbria.
You can't spend too many days in either one IMHO.
Once you figure how many days you decide to spend there it will be easier to help you out.

Hi squeaky,

Orvieto (one hour by train from Rome)will give you the hill-town experience.

You could do Florence as a somewhat rushed daytrip from Rome.

You could visit Siena for a day.

You might want to consider staying in Florence for 4 days, with daytrips to Siena and the wine country, and finishing the trip in Rome.

Drive thru Tuscany. It is sooo beautiful. Stay overnight in Siena to the real feel. We LOVED Siena ...my 10 and 13 year olds also loved Siena. Driving gives you the opportunit to get out of the car and exlore.