Hi, I am spending 4 days in Florence and was planning a day trip to the Tuscan countryside.

I am planning on taking a early morning bus to Siena, renting a scooter once I get there and travlling down towards Montalcino and Pienza along SR2 and then back up towards Asciano SR15 and back to Siena. My main goal is to enjoy the scenic vistas along the way, take some photos, stop by Montalcino/Pienza for lunch and just wander a bit. That is to say I'm less into churches and museums and touristy stuff.

So my questions are

1. Are the roads safe for a small 50cc scooter?
2. Is it relatively easy to navigate given a map and a decent sense of direction?
3. Is there enough time? I'm only planning to spend 2-3 hours total in Siena itself (if I find I want more I can have the option of staying the night or taking another bus back).

Thank you

If you know how to ride them scooters are safe on local roads (but you often see people riding them on the shoulders to keep out of the way of cars). But I'm not sure exactly how you would manage map reading and driving at the same time - unless you keep stopping.

There is no way you can drive on any highway (speed limits are over 80 mph - and that's what they drive in the slow lane). Or even major roads We saw several older ladies who drove scooters to go shopping - but I guess bigger than that with a little shopping basket on the back. They were definitely on the shoulder doing about 30.

Assume you have regular driver license and Internattional Driver Permit. Don;t know if you need a motorcycle license - since these are so tiny/slow. I would confirm this with whoever you're going to rent it from before you go.

Hmm... looks like I should be getting the 100cc model then (I've ridden a 100cc motorcycle before). My main question is what type of road SR2 (SS-2 via Cassia) between Siena and Buonconvento. I think it's a superstrada... but I don't know what that means. Can anyone tell me what that road is like?

^^^

superstrada is a very fast road with multiple lanes and signs saying no Vespas here. A Vespa is a wasp or more correctly a small motorbike cause it goes Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

SS doesn't mean super-strada.

It means strada statale - a main road, but not usually multi-lane.

Steve