Driving in Italy? Are we crazy? Not at all. Except in larger cities, where we recommend taking the train, driving in Italy is the best way to get around. And in Tuscany and Umbria, with its many small roads and out-of-the-way towns, it is a great way to see the country. Once you get out of Rome and off the freeway, you will love the freedom of having your own car.

Plus, with this self-guided driving vacation we make it easy on you. We give you detailed, turn-by-turn written driving instructions so you know exactly where you are going. We also provide you with a GPS Unit pre-programmed with all the key points on our route. You can choose to just use the GPS, letting it guide you along your way with verbal instructions, or use the GPS as a backup if you get lost or purposefully go off route.

You'll explore the best of Umbria, the "Green Heart of Italy", and Tuscany, the stunning region immortalized by artists from the Renaissance to the present day. Our route sends you through classic medieval towns of Umbria like Spoleto, Spello, Assisi and Gubbio and amazing hilltop towns of Tuscany including Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino. The tour ends in the fabulous town of Siena.

We limit the driving distance each day, allowing you to explore these towns and sample or purchase the wares of Italy, including Vino Nobile and Brunello wines, Umbrian olive oil, and Deruta handcrafted ceramics. Of course, delicious Italian cuisine is available at every turn!

Easy - This tour requires no physical activity. If you are interested to do some day hikes in the area, we can provide you with this information.

You can choose to rent a Compact (suggested for 1-2 people), Standard/Intermediate (3-4 people), or Mini Van (5-6 people) rental car. We will reserve this vehicle for you under your name to be picked up in Rome (airport or downtown) and dropped off in Siena, Rome, or Florence, depending on your post-tour plans. We will use our connections to get you the best rental price possible and you will pay for the rental car upon pickup using your own credit card and driver's license. No International Driver's License is required. We strongly suggest you obtain complete insurance coverage, which is usually required for car rentals in Europe anyway.

Maps, route directions, Portable Media Player, and GPS Navigation unit are included in the tour cost.

Accommodations consist of three-star hotels and B&Bs. We spend a lot of time finding hotels with local charm, friendly proprietors, and excellent locations. If you would like to upgrade, we will reserve your room in a nearby four-star establishment when possible or upgrade your room in the initial hotel when not. For some nights in small villages no upgrade option is available and the upgrade price below reflects this.

For this tour, the upgrade price below includes five nights in an upgraded hotel.

All prices below are in US dollars, per person, for a minimum group size of two. The Base Price for all adventures includes a Pre-Departure Packet, double occupancy accommodations in three-star hotels, breakfasts, welcome meeting with our in-country staff, maps, route directions, and an emergency support phone line. Dinners, lunches, personal expenditures, gasoline, all car rental costs, and transportation to and from the tour are not included. See our Pricing Page for full details on our Base and Supplemental prices and information on travelers going solo.

Adventure Prices
Base Price:	$1,250
Supplements:
Hotel Upgrade:	$250
Single Room Supplement:	$360

What our customers are saying about this tour: "It was an incredible experience seeing Italy from a more local or native perspective. Each of the towns and hotels we stayed at were very nice and accommodating. We chose the upgraded room package and we loved the hotels and rooms we were given. The hotel staff were friendly and helpful when needed. Our favorite was Montepulciano with Siena close behind. The trip was perfect with the GPS and video guide.... Overall- a fantastic experience and very rewarding to be on your own (except for Giovanni and Allan on the video player). I definitely highly recommend this trip!" - Dave and Dawn, from Arizona