Hi PV..we are going to be in Tuscany the end of Sept for the second time and have reserved an "automatic" which of course, costs much more, but easier if you are trying to adjust to signage, etc. This website will show you some of the signs you will need to know (www.slowtrav.com). Also, remember to navigate by destination name, not road number as in US. The secondary roads are not crowded most times, but slow driving will cause passing at most awkward times...hang in there and enjoy the scenery or pull over if possible to take pictures..lots of pictures! And finally, the best tip we ever received regarding driving in Tuscany...when approaching a town you wish to visit...park at the first place you find and walk, do not attempt to drive into any of the towns...that's stressful! Buon Viaggio

Driving IS the way to see Tuscany. Relax, you're going to love it. Yes, some of the roads are curvy and some are hilly. Some are both, but driving in Tuscany is very easy.

The stick shifts I've rented are very forgiving and he will adjust to it very quickly. The traffic on the country roads is light and the scenery is beautiful.

Just stay out of the cities unless you want CRAZY!

italybound@verizon.net

I have driven twice in Tuscany with a stick shift and it is hilly but that is all part of the experience. Just remember the parking brake can be used on the hill to get your self started. If you have driven stick it will come back quickly

Driving is the ONLY way to really enjoy the Tuscan towns and countryside, go for it. Early September the roads will be quietening down but it's only really as you approach the larger towns & villages that you have a problem with traffic, the long slow crawl up to Montalcino for instance. The tip on trying the first car park (P) you see is a good one and one that I always recommend. If this is full, just head on to the next. Also, the carparks furthest away from the centre of the more popular towns are invariably the free ones. (Keep plenty of loose change for the pay & parks elsewhere.) That said though, I was in Greve the other day and even parking almost in the centre it was free.

San Gim is a pain to park and it'll still be manic busy in early September. If you can bear it, head there really early as later you'll only spend a lot of time driving round and round looking for somewhere. There was a post on this too recently. And there have been a couple of threads too re parking in Siena, a quick search will find these. I've certainly posted twice on that subject though my directions were for people coming in from the south not the Chianti. (Unless you approach Siena on the FI/SI expressway in which case just get off at Siena Sud and follow the sign posts.)

Absolutely TO DRIVE!!!

It's the only way to really enjoy the amazing countryside. It was fine even for me in the wrong side of the road!!!!

Just for argument's sake, may I introduce the opposing view. I never drive in Tuscany and find the trains, buses and occasional hired driver a delightful and utterly stress-free way to enjoy the area. The driver must concentrate on driving, observing the signs in Italian and coping with the mercurial Italian drivers and cannot therefore enjoy the incredible scenery. I find, even with the hired drivers, I save money over what the auto rental, fuel, etc. would be, too. Either way...enjoy.

I would say yes, drive if you are going to be consentrating on the Chianti area. The road signs there are easy to read, the main roads are nicely maintained, and the towns are very close together for easy access. You should rent a small car and be prepared to drive down some very narrow gravel (sometimes dirt) roads if you plan on taking in anything like a vineyard visit or a local farm or something. We stayed in a beautiful villa there, but to reach it was quite an adventure. The road leading to it was gravel, and then dirt, and a very steep hill. It took a few days to get used to driving there, but we always found free parking in all of the small towns in that area, and very few "no drive zones" which are a big problem in the larger cities!

1. Your husband should be fine driving. The signs have arrows with twon names that point you to where you need to go, so knowing Italian isn't necessary, although you should check out a website for street sign recognition like no parking signs and such.

There is not a lot of traffic, just stay to the right and let the Italians whiz by (and they will!)

On curves, always beep your horn to alert the driver coming the other way.

2. You really need to drive to see all off the great little Chianti towns, like Castellina in Chianti, Greve, Radda, and Panzano to name a few favorites. And driving to Siena is OK. Just remember to park around the stadium. It's a bit tricky, but doable.

I would suggest taking the train or fast bus into Florence from Siena, or just visiting there when you fly in, and then rent a car and move on. florence is a nightmare to drive in!