We spending 5 days in Florence and wonder what is the best way to see Tuscany as a day trip from here as my base? Is renting a car or train? Ive heard driving in Florence is horrible so I do I do this?

What part of Tuscany did you want to see?

Jean
Im not sure as we have been planning we have an extra day in Florence with nothing to do so we are thinking of driving the Tuscany hills for the day!

Florence is part of Tuscany but I'm guessing you want to see countryside. I would take a bus to Siena or San Gimignano (or both). You'll go through the Tuscan countryside in route and get to see two lovely walled hill towns. Also, you may want to take the #7 bus to Fiesole. There are some great Etruscan ruins to be found there.

It's not so much that driving is horrible as it is to cope with the no driving zones (ZTLs). So many people have received expensive tickets/fines after the fact.

Busses are an option, as well as trains to certain places, like Lucca, Pisa or Arezzo. Of course, none of that is the countryside that you are thinking of.

A car and driver is one option, or really figuring out how you can rent a car and not cross through the ZTLs is another choice.

You either choose your destination and then figure out your options for getting there (rented car, driver, public trans) or you choose your form of transportation and then determine where that transportation can take you.

Does budget play a part?