Here's some more for you: tuscany-vacation-rentals.net/roadsanddriving… It's not difficult in the country. Even in town you can handle the driving - the traffic cameras are your problem there.

Hi,

We have driven all over Italy numerous times & we absolutely love it !! You just don't need a car in the bigger cities like Florence or Siena.

Having a car gives you the flexibility to see more & discover the wonderful country villages scattered around the hilltops & mountains. We always use europcar when hiring in Europe & have never had a problem.

Happy planning !

Lot of Speed Cameras in Tuscany, especially around small villages. Use CamSam for Android or iSpeedcam for iPhone to get early warning.

Thank you to all of you who posted..tons of info for me to digest and investigate...I feel much more comfortable with the driving aspect now and see it as a must do in this area...

Hi,

If you are staying around San Gimingano as you mentioned then you could look at picking up a car at Poggibonsi railway station or at the main bus stop at Colle Val D'Elsa. Email Marco from ABC Rentals and see what he has to offer - ABC Rentals : http://www.abc-rent.com

Poggibonsi is on the line between Siena and Florence and I have used Marco many times over the years for the nervous Aussie driver - myself included!

While your at it make yourself an info book on Tuscany based on your own interests on http://www.to-tuscany.com.au/infobook/ further links to hundreds of Tuscany activities http://www.to-tuscany.com.au/local-tuscany/

Not sure if anyone mentioned your quert re visiting Siena or Florence.

Florence I would park and hop on a train or bus in a smaller town, both will take you into the middle of Florence. You will be unsure when to hop off the bus (at least I was) stay on until it pulls up in the undercover bus terminal - the train is right next door. Siena, unless travelling on a Wednesday I would probably go by car - Wednesday is their big Market Day so parking is more difficult.

Have a fantastic trip! Linda

do not forget to drive around Umbria as its a lot lighter traffic wise and has simular vistas to tuscany at a quarter of the tourist volume.

What i usually warn people about driving Italiano is that it is almost a certainty that a person will want to overtake you going into a blind bend.....because he can !

We stayed in Florence so had no need for a car and then took the train to Siena and picked up our car as we were leaving Siena. On your way to San Giamgnano stop a Montereggioni...a very small walled town between Siena and S.G. I second the idea of going into Umbria which I though was more beautiful than Tuscany.

Enjoy!