In mid/late-September I'll be driving from Venice into the Dolomites (exact locations not chosen yet, but at least Cortina d'Ampezzo and Lago di Braies, then...?), but I'm not sure how challenging the roads will be on the little Fiats and Citroens (et al) typically offered in Italy. Does it make sense to go for something like a Jeep Renegade or Compass?
Posted by
Coquitlam
228 posts
Unless you experience snow, any car will do.
I have not driven between the Dolomites and Venice for a long time. I was asking for directions (this was before GPS) and was directed to use a minor road, not a more major route. When I asked why I was told it was a shorter route. We experienced switchbacks and sheep on the road at one point, but the drive had spectacular scenery, none of which I saw.
A long way of saying the drive is not difficult.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15441 posts
Last time I drove those mountains I rented a VW Passat Station Wagon with a diesel engine. I loved the superpower that comes with the diesel engine (diesel has more torque). That car was going up like a missile. Unfortunately many rental car companies are getting away from diesel since many cities are banning diesels inside cities for environmental reasons, however if I were you I would rent something more powerful than a small economy car. You might not need an SUV unless you go between November and April, but I wouldn’t go for a Fiat Panda for sure (the Fiat500X would work). Go to www.autoeurope.com or www.kemwel.com (the two companies merged years ago and are now part of the same company, so offers are likely similar), then look for the SUV/Station Wagon category. Choose one of those. They are not more expensive than an intermediate or even a compact. Jeep renegade is one they offer, but a Jeep Compass, or Opel Mokka, or Fiat500X would also work well.