Southern Tuscany
 

We ( couple in our mid 60's) are using our RCI exchange and staying for 14 days at il Poggio at the end of April 2017.
Address: Loc. Il Poggio, 53040 Celle Sul Rigo, San Casciano dei Bagni SI, Italy
We were wondering if we should fly into Rome or Florence from Australia ,and as public transport is not the best in Tuscany, I was wanting some help on how to get to our destination, and where is the best place to hire a car that is closest as we do not want to drive in the big cities or towns. We are happy to stay a night or two somewhere else beforehand if the transport is easier. any suggestions are more than welcomed.

Pachet.

I would look into flying to Rome, staying overnight in town at a hotel near the Termini Station [found on booking.com]. Next AM have tickets for the 7:28 to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, arrival just after the Hertz office opens where you have reserved your vehicle. That puts you about 20 kms from your destination.

I'm an early riser. There is also one at 9:00AM, getting you there before they close for lunch.

Good suggestion by RonZ.
Also best not to fly and drive on the same day. We know all about the long flights from Oz.
Another option for picking up the car could be catching a train from Rome to Orvieto, worth a look around. The Hertz office is close to the train station. Just check the times of the rental agency as a lot close at lunchtime.
You can pre book the faster train or catch the regional train which doesn't take too much longer and you can just buy the ticket at the station.
We spent a week in a villa using Montepulciano as a base, loved the area!
We picked up our car at La Spezia, after spending time in Cinque Terre (not to be missed).
We dropped our car off at Florence airport.

For southern Tuscany, we fly into Rome's FCO, mostly because it's easier to get discounted, non-stop flights from NYC. We also like to include a visit to Orvieto, since you pass it on the way.

We need a car with automatic transmission, and we want it guaranteed. It's getting more difficult to secure the guarantee unless you rent from an airport location. We find FCO pretty easy in and out.

We have flown and rented from FLR to visit Chianti and Lucca, but the plane tickets have always cost much more and there are no non-stops from the 3 NY airports. Getting to the freeway requires some map study.

RonZ and wesleymarsh and aussie_10
All your comments were very much appreciated, and very helpful, now I can start to plan, and I will probably be back later for more help.
We have never driven in Italy, and we know it's a bit scary, but taking your advise, hopefully will help.

It depends on the day you are arriving. Rental offices in Orvieto or Chiusi are closed on Sunday and only open a half day on Saturday. There were issues at the Orvieto Hertz office (it's a franchise) and Autoeurope removed them from their booking site a couple of years ago (don't know if that's changed).

If you are flying from the states, then you could just pick up a car at FCO upon arrival. Another option is take the bus from FCO to Siena, stay a couple of nights and pick up a car there.

http://www.sitbusshuttle.com/en/nuov...iumicino-roma/

Thank you Kybourbon, we are flying from Australia and probably into Rome. Is the drive from Siena less stressful then driving from Orvieto or Chiusi ( I know it is closer) as we have not driven in Italy. Is Siena too far for a day trip from where we are staying in Celle sul Rigo,San Casciano dei Bagni?

Never having driven in Italy it is important to read this:

http://driventoit.blogspot.com.au/

The best option for an automatic might be the Florence Airport as most cars will have a stick shift. That is not difficult to learn by the way. Just make sure the car has a pull-up hand brake for starting on a hill.

pachet, Siena is about 1.5 hours from your accommodation. So doable for a day trip, best to start early as Siena gets very busy but well worth a visit.

If you fly in to Florence from Australia you may find that it will be an extra leg in flights. Rome will be 1 stop.
Florence is definitely worth a visit, you can then catch a train to Siena, there are about 60 trains a day.

Orvieto is about a 1 hour drive to your accommodation.

We found driving in Italy quite good especially on the smaller roads. The Motorway (can't remember what they call it in Italy) is a little more intimidating, just keep out of the very fast lane, Italian motorists do not tolerate any lingering in the fast lane.
Of course in Italy they drive on the "wrong" side of the road for us Aussies. But you will definitely need a car for where you are staying if you want to visit the lovely little Italian towns.

RonZ, Aussie_10, I have taken in all your comments, and cannot thank you enough for your help and advise.