Let’s get to know Tuscany! Because getting to one part of the region and not exploring further is a huge waste. The best way to see its cities is by train or in your own car. Due to its extraordinary geography, being almost 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the coast, the majority of the land is covered in rolling hills and mountains, despite this; Tuscany is the ideal place to get about on your own terms.
The first option is renting a car (if you don’t have your own)
A car will give you complete freedom to make all necessary journeys, given that this form of transport gives you the flexibility to make stops and travel at your own pace. You can take your own car, or hire one there. You can compare prices here. Don’t worry about the motorways, they are all well-designed and in good condition. The most worrying thing, if anything, is how the Italians drive… they are some of the most reckless drivers in Europe.
A good idea would be to reserve a car online, so that you know for certain that it will be there at the allocated time and then collect it, hassle-free.
Get the train
Italy’s railway network travels 16,500 km (more than 10,000 miles). It is state-owned and managed by Trenitalia. These trains have extraordinary flexibility and mobility. You can tour the whole of Italy on them, with the opportunity to make stops at places of interest along the way. Tuscany’s main cities (Arezzo, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena…) are all within a short distance of each other making it easy to visit them all.
Use the bus
The penultimate possible option – and the most economical – is the use of a line bus to get around Tuscany, getting to know not only the cities, but the charming towns that always come out in the movies. Tuscany is not a very large region, and the time and distance between cities and towns is not exaggerated, the bus network is quite well and in each city and province there are different companies. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks and tobacconists, as well as at ATAC stalls. These tickets will have to be validated once inside the vehicle, otherwise it will not be worth the trip.
Taxis of Tuscany
If you’re someone who would prefer to stay in Florence, getting a taxi may be the most comfortable (yet costly) way of getting around. The cars operate a 24 hour service and are easily recognisable because they are all white, in the same way that cabs in London are all black. Bear in mind a few things: the taxi rates will vary depending on whether its day or night, national holidays and festivals, and they always add on a tip that is 10% more of the journey cost. This doesn’t happen in the UK, but in Italy it is considered part of the standard tariff (some drivers receive this directly).
Here are some links that will be of interest to you when it comes to moving around the Tuscan regions:
–GOEURO. For the most economical trips.
–Treinatalia. To get the train between cities.
–Sixt. To hire a car in Tuscany.
You’re all set! Now relax and enjoy the trip!
Inform yourself on how to eat during your trip.
