Hi
My husband and I are looking for advice on our trip to Italy in early October. This is our second trip having spent ample time in Rome and Florence. We also took a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano. This trip we are flying from Barcelona to Naples and plan to spend 2 nights in Sorrento with day trips to Capri and Pompeii followed by 3 nights in Positano with day trips to Amalfi Town and Ravello. Following this, we have 4 nights before we depart from Rome. We’d like to spend this time in Tuscany (too far?) or Umbria. Our interests in these regions include food and wine driven experiences and perhaps biking or something active. We will not have a car. Any advice appreciated!

Me again...After doing some research I’ve narrowed my thoughts. My main concern was that we would not have sufficient time for Tuscany but I think we do! So we need to get from Positano to that region, thinking train from Naples to Siena via Florence. We only had a few hours in Siena on our last visit and it was in January—chilly and not much going on. So I thought perhaps we could spend a night there and over the next couple days experience Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza? Orvieto and Civita look interesting too. Would love any input on how to do this since we won’t have a car. Considering a driver for a couple of days or at least stay in locations with transportation between towns. Is it best to stay in one location and day trip? Or move around? We’ll have 3 nights before we need to be in Rome for our 4th night to fly out the next morning. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions!

Why not have a car? We just got back from a 7-night stay in Pienza and drove everywhere, even back to the airport in Rome. Driving was not difficult at all and navigation using Smart phones was a breeze. We loved all of Tuscany but it is exceptionally beautiful around Pienza. Montepulciano was a nice day trip.

I second just renting a car. We've driven in Italy several times, most recently just a few weeks ago when we spent three nights in Orvieto. I think it's so much easier to get around to the smaller towns with a car and you'll be able to reach areas otherwise difficult without one. You can certainly do it by public transportation, but you'll likely have to stay in larger towns or outside of most city centers. Orvieto is a notable exception as the train station is just below the town, which is easily reached via the funicular. Driving in Italy, outside of the major cities, is very easy and relatively pleasant.

I also agree with visiting the Val d'Orcia. Pienza, San Quirico etc...such a beautiful area. We spent a week in Umbria several years ago near Bevagna and loved it as well. Spello, Deruta, Trevi, Montefalco...loved them all.

I've done all the well-known Umbrian and Tuscan hill towns and some low towns of interest (Gubbio was awesome - though some large piece of stone blew off rooftops and landed not far from me!) Buses run frequently between main hill towns but yes a car would be nice (or driver) - for lots on trains and where to go check www.trenitalia.com; www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com.

For a train and or bus tour I'd advise - Siena (be sure to take bus from Florence instead of going round-about way train goes - switching to bus would be cheap and much quicker - Montepulciano - bus from Siena - Montalcina or Pienza- Orvieto - Rome. Check rome2rio.com for how to get between any two towns.

Don't take a train to Siena. You'll end up far from the center of town. Bus works better for proximity.

But you really won't be able to do much justice to the best of either area unless you drive.

Rent a car in Siena (take bus from Florence) and drive thru hill towns to Orvieto - return car and train to Rome - Regional train - no reserved seats and dirt cheap flat fare - just buy tickets at Orvieto station, sure to have ticket machines or manned or wommaned ticket guichets open.

My wife & I have spent 2 months vacationing in Europe every year since 1999. Before that, we usually spent 3-4 weeks in Europe per year. We travel around, visiting different regions in each country. About 70% of that time has been spent in France, 15% in Italy, and the remainder "elsewhere". In France & Italy, we usually spend 2 weeks in a single location - before we "move on " to a different region.

Obviously, we love France and spend most of our time there. However, our favorite region is the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany. Our favorite time of year in the Val d'Orcia is late March & early April when it is less crowded & everything is green. It is breathtaking then. The rolling hills are covered with winter rye and it looks like a green velvet blanket has been thrown out over the hills. Cypress trees "dance" up the hillsides, or there are cypresses & umbrella pines atop a distant ridge, And Medieval hill villages everywhere. Our second favorite time there is late Sept when the fields are freshly plowed & the hills take on a tan or rust colored appearance - depending on the amount of iron in the soil.

Here are my wife's Shutterfly books:

Early April. The Val d'Orcia pictures start about half-way through the book.
https://stududley.shutterfly.com/39

September. Val d'Orca starts after Lucca.
https://stududley.shutterfly.com/55

Because of recent Shutterfly "enhancements", titles and captions are often missing or truncated. It may take a while to load the book

Here is something I posted several years ago about Scenic Drives in Tuscany
Scenic drives in Tuscany

Stu Dudley


https://stududley.shutterfly.com/39

From Positano take a bus or a boat to Salerno and then a train from Salerno to Chiusi. Pick up a rental car there and return it to the Rome airport.

I'm afraid I must agree with everybody else. If you want to see this part of Italy, Tuscany or Umbria, it's far better by car.

And I love the scenery, especially in southern Tuscany.

Hi there:

I have had driving trips though Tuscany ( 4 times) and Umbria (twice).

About 18 months ago I had a trip in Umbria for 6 days using public transportation, and it worked really well.

I was inspired by a trip report from TDudette, so look it up.


I based myself in Perugia, a beautiful town that has great bus (mostly) and train links to all major towns in the area, as it is a University town. Service was great!

I visited Assisi, Todi, Speleto, Gubbio. It also has a limited bus service to Siena.

I understand your desire not to drive. I have done it and it offers the freedom to visit small towns, but it also has its disadvantages.

Regards .. Ger

Thanks for your input and excellent suggestions. We have decided to rent a car in Siena! It really seems to be the best way to experience the region so thanks for pointing that out. Our plan is to spend 3 nights (Oct. 4, 5 and 6) in Siena and day trip from there. This leaves us with 1 more night and wondering if we should spend it near Orvieto to be in that area for a final day of touring and a bit closer to Rome. We'd ultimately like to return our rental car in Orvieto and use private transportation the next morning of our flight. Does this sound reasonable? Thanks in advance for your valued opinions!

We've driven to the Rome airport several times from the Orvieto area. If you get an early start - it is not difficult. It is a little less than a 2 hr drive. Orvieto is not a very large town. Don't know if there are private transportation options available. Obviously, you can take a train to Rome or maybe even the airport.

Stu Dudley

To the OP, how are you getting to Siena?