I posted a while back regarding a trip to Italy with my wife, was thinking of mid March, changed my mind for arrive 13 April, leave 28 April, will start in Rome, 5 to 6 days, then Tuscany 6 days, finally Venice 4 days then home.
After Rome, would like to find a town in tuscany to stay aprox 6 nights (a town big enough to rent a car, but small enough where the traffic and noise is minimal) to use as base for exploring the tuscan countryside. Does anyone out there know of a tuscan town like described?

Why can't you pick up a car in Pisa or Orvieto and drive to whatever small town you like?

Keep the car and drive it to Venice. Drop it off there. It won't cost you any extra.

I don't think your town exists (minimal traffic and noise, plus car rental agencies). The suggestions above are very good, and I would add Chiusi and Arezzo as spots that are very easy to train to, have rental places and are within easy reach of charming towns where you might want to base yourselves. I really like Arezzo... it's one of my favorite places. Chiusi is very well placed for the Val d'Orcia and other beauty spots in Tuscany.

I agree with the earlier comment - I don't think your town exists.

I'd pick up a car in Rome, if you can do it on a Sunday morning, driving out of Rome is no problem at all.

And then you can start exploring straight away - the drive from Rome to Assisi, via Spoleto and other little towns is lovely, and you really feel as if you're exploring Italy from the moment you get in your car.

You can then choose where you would like to stay, and have flexibility to move on after a few days too. I have stayed one night in Assisi, then drove onto San Gimigniano, which is touristy during the day (when you are driving around Tuscany, in Siena or Pisa etc), but delightful in the evening when all the tourists have left, and you have returned. You could then move east and spend a couple days exploring Chianti, before you drop off your car at the airport at Florence (easy to find again), and get a cab or bus into Florence for a day or so there, or simply to get the train to Venice. Basing yourself in one place for 6 days can be nice, but you end up doing a lot of extra driving if you're always returning to your base. To really see Tuscany, you need to be off the major motorways ... and that means driving is much slower.

We rented a car at the Rome airport, where we arrived, and drove to Montalcino (southern Tuscany) where we spent a glorious week. It was a beautiful small town and nicely situated for exploring the other gorgeous small towns in the Val d'Orcia and southern Tuscany. If you would like a detailed report, check out my trip report under my name.

mrfreeze,
I think that Tuscany is too big to be explored from one location, so I suggest you pick a location in the center of most of the things you want to see (within an hour or so drive). Then you can pick the town or accommodation that appeals to you. Post the location and you will get many options on how to get a car. If you need ideas on things to see in Tuscany e-mail me and I will send them.

Henry

WE just got back from Tuscany, staying 5 nights in Florence and one in Pisa, usung the trains and buses.
After renewing our acquaintance with siena on a day trip from florence, It would make a very good base [we used it as such about 25 years ago]. There is enough there to make it an interesting place in itself, and it is well placd for the beautiful countryside. You could use the bus/train for a day-trip to Florence. [don't, don't drive!]
Try looking at siena hotels on via-michelin.

Hi mr,

May I suggest flying into Venice, picking up the car there, driving to a town not far from Siean as your Tuscan base, driving to Orvieto to drop the car (spend at least 1/2 day there), training to Rome and flying home from Rome?

Venice is an easier place to adjust to Italy than is Rome. Also, you can't get lost leaving Venice - there's only the one road out.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for all the great advice.

I was in Europe 16 years ago on a motorcycle tour, mostly thru small towns and it was fantastic, however I do remember a few city's we passed thru, and it was out right scary navigating the traffic.
That is why I would like to base in a smaller town and travel the countryside, as I remember, navigating around Europe was very simple.
The one city I really want to see, is Pisa for the leaning tower, so as one of you mentioned, I could pick up the car in Pisa, then drop it off in Venice upon arrival.

Bill

we were in Pisa on saturday night, and really all you want to be there for is that tower and the immediate surroundings, which are still wonderful despite all the tourist tat and hawkers.
If you want to make sure you'll be able to go up the tower, you have to book in advance, on line on www.opa-pisa.it. Good luck!
[ps we stayed at the Ryaol victoria hotel for purely nostalgic reasons - my DH and I had stayed there 24 years ago, and never forgot its huge rooms or the faded elegance. Well, the huge rooms seem to have shrunk a bit, but the old paintings, photos and furniture are all still there. Great for one night, IMO]

pps - that should of course be the "Royal Victoria Hotel".

We returned from Italy Oct 25th. We were based in Greve in Tuscany. We used it as a base and traveled to different areas daily. We went to the Cinque Terre, Siena and towns near, Arrezo and the Il Borro Estate, and Radda, Panzano and Castellina as well as touring wineries in the Chianti region. We enjoyed most dinners in the Greve area with many fine options. We stayed at http://www.casanova-laripintura.it/ and it was wonderful. We loved the serenity and beauty of the area and the proximity to travel and enjoy the surrounding region.

wmandmj

Thank you very much for the tip about the town of Greve, I did a bit of research and decided this is the place to use as base to see Tuscany.

Found there are many farmhouse B@Bs, along with the one you stayed look wonderful, and away from the traffic, noise, crowds, and have parking for an auto, and are reasonably priced.

Bill

For wmandmj or anyone who has stayed at casa nova ripintura outside of Greve-I was wondering if you could verify that this is indeed a good place and location to stay. Are the accomodations all that they say they will be? Does anyone think that you can stay in the Chianti region without a car, but rely on buses or trains to see Siena,San Gam. etc.

Hi mrfreeze,

I agree Greve is probably a good base for Chianti and the more northern parts of Tuscany. However, when we stayed south of Greve, in San Sano, we found a lot of driving and backtracking was required on the windy roads of Chianti.

With 6 days, I would suggest 2 locations. One in the southern part and one in Chianti. Best of both worlds and less backtracking!

Buon viaggio!

Hi, I was in Italy two times in Florence and close to. Londa is a small town 35 minutes from Flr perfect for relax and there are shops, restaurants...
I stayed at Villa Luciano www.villaluciano.com, they sent me for this year a good offer for the low season that it's incredible. A whole villa for only 2900 usd...

I also suggest dividing your time between two towns. Greve is fine for exploring the immediate area but really not practical for exploring Southern Tuscany.

I would base myself for part of your time near Montalcino, Pienza, Montipulciano or San Quirco.