Can anyone recommend a tour guide that offers day trips from Florence to Tuscany, preferably Siena?

My husband I will be in Florence for three days at the beginning of Sept. and are thinking of taking a day trip to Siena (however we don't want to rent a car).

I've found a few tours that look great but charge about $500 for the day. Is it worth paying this much for a personalized car tour? Or is it just as nice to take a bus to Siena?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Two recommendations (if they're available) Dario Castagno or Peter Kilby. Just used both of them and they're great. (I think they both run about $100 per person per day - worth every penny!) You'll see more, learn more, enjoy more than trying to do it on your own. With each we saw hilltowns, countryside, great restaurants, shops, out-of-the-way places and had an absolutely fabulous time. (Tell them hightide recommended them!)

Here are their emails:
Dario: [email protected]
Peter: [email protected].
(If you're interested, you can read the write up of our days with each of them here: http://www.hightide.com/travel.html)
Have a great trip!

We also just spent a day with Dario last month....would definitely recommend it.

hightide- thanks so much for the advice. I just read through your wonderful journal and am ready to jump on the plane now!

I'll definitely send an email off to the gentlemen you mentioned. $100 a person is definitely more in our budget. I was pretty set on the bus idea but you have changed my mind.

Thanks again. And, Judy- thanks for the second opinion.

Julie, Please let us know if you can hire these 2 guides at that price. That would be a bargain.

Dario's fee was $140/person....well worth it.