Jay,
Just got back and might be able to offer some thoughts.
The folks trapped in the busses missed out on some of the best countryside drives on the planet.
Tuscany is about the landscape and getting swallowed up in it, between stops.
Bus trips stay on bus friendly roads, and they dictate how long and where you stop.
At one point on our trip, the wife had me stopping a dozen times within an hour, just to get out and look, take a few pics, and breathe.
I dunno how many times we simply drove "That way" just to see what could be found, and were rewarded with breath taking countryside.
The best roads are steep, winding, narrow, and feature sheer cliffs with no guard rails to obstruct the views. They force you to slow down, and soak in the place. Italians are sneaky that way.
Take the car, take your time, and plan on getting lost and enjoying it.
Folks that take the bus, or stay on the main roads, miss the point.
Have an awesome trip!!!
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