We have 4 days to travel from Venice to Rome. We will have already been to Florence but are specifically interested in the countryside, food and gardens of Tuscany. Any suggestions on the best way to travel....tour, train, car? The best country inns or hotels to book? The best sights to enjoy the beauty and peace of the country? I have a gardeners heart....where can we see the best Italian gardens enroute? Can not wait to hear your recommendations. Thanks Jane

What time of year? There aren't many train options in the countryside. Buses are more common, but not easy to connect towns/schedules. A car is best.

You will need a car for Tuscany.
We have stayed multiple times at Villa Poggiono which is just (5 minutes) outside of Montepulciano (it is closed from November to March). It is wonderful, a little slice of heaven in Tuscany. Everything is nearby (within an hours drive) of what you would want to do it Tuscany. The town of Muntepulciano is a classic Tuscan hill town with plenty to see, do, and dine at. Enjoy

We stayed here for a week, it's just outside of montepulciano and loved it

http://www.santantonio.it

If you love gardens you may also want to stay or tour the gardens here

http://www.lafoce.com/index.php?vedi...id=28&m=lafoce

The owner has written an amazing book about the war in the area: The War in Val d'Orcia it is an excellent read!

You can read our trip report and see our photos here

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-new-years.cfm

take train to Chiusi or orvieto, and then rent a car. Sienna is wonderful, montepulciano- smaller but great. there are so many nice hill towns. pick one and do day trips.

Some of the most photographed tourist areas of Tuscany, with their rolling hills and vineyards, are actually quite difficult for the cultivation of anything, and historically the people were too poor to set aside arable land for decorative gardening. They grew cash crops on every inch of it, in particular wine. Gardens were only for the super rich, and some of the very best formal gardens are right near Florence, in the hills above it. Lucca is another area of lavish gardens, and one of the few places in Tuscany where you will true flower gardens because of the greater humidity there.

http://www.gardens-of-tuscany.net/

This too:

http://tuscany-toscana.blogspot.it/2...l#.U7D-Pxys-zk

Hi Jane,
I agree with jamikins, La Foce gardens are beautiful. There are actually several gardens in Tuscany, and many of them are open to visitors. I read a recommendation on "Tuscany for the Shameless Hedonist" about the Garzoni gardens, which are located about 20 minutes north of Lucca, and are worth a visit
if you are in that area. Here's a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Garzoni

Although a car is best for visiting rural Tuscany, it is possible to plan a visit using buses and trains. You have to do painstaking research and plan on visiting at most one town each day.

>>>is best for visiting rural Tuscany, it is possible to plan a visit using buses and trains.<<<

It's possible to reach some towns in Tuscany with careful planning (I've done both), but if you want to visit gardens, you really need a car.