Here I am in Muskoka, sitting at my computer looking out at a beautiful frozen lake with the sun beaming down and could there be anything so beautiful to behold?
Well, maybe Tuscany.
We are going to Rome mid April for one week and then 9 days in Tuscany. I thought we would take a train from Rome to a Tuscan village for 2 nights and then rent a car for a week returning to the Rome airport for our trip home.
Thanks to Fodors to give us an opportunity to chat.
Would anyone like to comment on the first 2 nights without a car? Pienze, Siena, Purgia?
Someplace fun to spend 2 nights in town and then pick up a rental car.
Second question. Would we be wise in taking a chance not to reserve rooms in advance to allow us to freewheel it around Tuscany. I don't particularly like staying in one place having to go out and come back all the time as opposed to moving on continually. I know my wife would rather stay put so she does not have to pack and unpack. Comments?

Finally, any favourite places to stay off the beaten path.
Thank you.

My husband and I went to Italy for 2 weeks last April and the only reservations we had were for our first 3 nights in Rome. We took the train to Florence for 3 days and had no issues finding a room. We then traveled by train to Cinque Terre for 3 nights, again, having no trouble finding a room. We rented a car and drove around Tuscany for the last 3 nights staying in Siena, Volterra and Montalcino. The only time we had touble finding a reasonably priced room was in Siena, but I think that's because it was the night before Easter. We did find a room, though. I loved flying by the seat of our pants with no real plans! It was a great adventure! Have a wonderful trip!

I would go ahead and book your rooms before you go. Italy is a VERY popular destination, and I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do while touring Italy is spending any or all the day looking for lodging. Book your hotels and relax and enjoy Tuscany.
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ttt

Train to Orvieto (Perugia and Orvieto are in Umbria,not Tuscany) and stay there. Rent a car stay in Tuscany.
Return car in Florence and train back.

Hi Dave,
While Muskoka is gorgeous, I would choose Tuscany any day.

If you want a little more freedom with choosing your journey, then rent the car from the airport in Rome. It will be easier with your luggage, and will not limit where you decide to take the train..... though Orvieto is a good suggestion.

We rented from autoeurope.com in Siena and were happy with the vehicle and service.

I too like staying somewhere for at least 2-3 nights if possible, and agree that you should book accomodations since you could end up wasting time driving around and searching....not a fun way to spend a holiday.

If you haven't started yet, these are very useful sites:
http://www.tuscany.net/

http://www.venere.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g1...ny-Hotels.html

We loved the drive throught the Chianti region, and could have easily stayed at any one of the towns in that area. Siena was a favourite city for us as well. Get a very good Michelin road map for Tuscany---it will be invaluable. Use amazon.ca for fast service.

Good luck with the plans.

Dave - as I have a cottage in Haliburton (lake Kushog), I certainly am able to empathise.

You don't indicate whether you are planning to visit Florence - if so, why not train to Florence in the early evening for a lovely dinner (La Giostra, perhaps), have a leisurely walk around, and stay the full next day and night (or 2), having pre-booked Accademia, Uffizi, Medici Chapels and Barghello Museum - all of which are doable in one day, and all of which can be pre-booked by telephone from Muskoka with no cost if you are unable to attend one or all (see a number of comments on this forum from Ira and others as to phone numbar.

As to Tuscany, use Autoeurope to easily boo the car for 7 days (they give you the 5 day rate for a week), pick up the car, and go to Tuscany.

As a suggestion, we stayed at Le Boscarecce last year for 3 nights (see tripadviser.com) and it is wonderful for Siena, San gimignano, Lucca and Pisa.

For the other areas, such as Pienza, Montepulciano, Cortona, Orvietto, etc, I would use both this forum, as well as the aforesaid tripadviser, and venere.com (another hotel site where you may book with no prepayment and usually liberal cancellation privileges.

If you do choose to move around, consider at least 1 full day and night in each of Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca, as each will give you the day-time "action" and the night-time beauty.

Finally, I strongly suggest pre-booking all stays, after having done your research as it will give you some comfort of certainty (which should still be cancellable), along with ensuring that your itinerary "glitches"
will be kept to a minimum.

As well, by the way, with 7 or so days at your disposal, you may want to consider a day in Rignano Sull'arno and Montevarchi, for the mall (Fendi, Gucci, etc.) and Prada, respectively - an hour drive from Florence (basically on the way to Montepulciano and Pienza) and with legitimate sales ( my wife bought, amongst other things, a prada purse for $210 CDN.(incl. tax - god bless the vat tax refund!) which was selling at Holt Renfrew for $725 (plus tax). It may not be what you would buy for $725 plus tax, but for $210 all in, you would certainly have to think twice!
(as well, and only as another example as I do not know your finances, I splurged for a leather Fendi purse for $525 Cdn which was selling at home for $1800).

Anyways, I hope that I have helped you in your plans.

Thank you all for your comments.
I certainly got the message and I am now busy getting some bookings done.

Dave