We have an extra day in Florence and are comparing booking a day long bus tour for wineries vs. renting a car and doing it on our own. Any advice is appreciated. We are good with limited directions and not anxious about driving in another country with small roads.
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1951 posts
Given that you're okay with driving in the Italian countryside, and assuming you're also okay driving out of and back into Florence, where traffic and ZTLs are an issue, I'd recommend doing it on your own. You will have the freedom to choose where to go and to do it at your own pace.
If you're not familiar with ZTLs, be sure to Google it and understand the risk.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3303 posts
Two points. A one day car rental fee can be quite expensive as opposed to multi-day. If you will be tasting wines, be aware the the alcohol limit before you hit the DUI limit is .05 percent as opposed to .08 in most of the US. If you want to enjoy the wines, I’d suggest the bus tour.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, US
15 posts
Thanks on both accounts
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
Atlanta Brian, of course having a car would give you more flexibility with both routes and schedule, given the provisos already mentioned here, about cost of a one-day car rental, concerns about drinking wine and driving, and traffic and ZTLs in and out of Florence, etc. Also, you might have more difficulty locating and visiting the best wineries. Although I have never done one, Roberto’s winery and other tours from Florence, also at a cost, have received high praise here. The tours would visit prime towns and would have regular access and fine treatment, I’m sure, at excellent wineries, without the drinking and driving concerns. I would recommend the tour, and hope to take one or more next time I am in Italy.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16209 posts
If you can do on your own it’s cheaper and gives you more flexibility.
If you rent from Hertz, the new location on Via Ambrosoli, in the Bellariva district, is the easiest to head to the Chianti road. The one in the city center is on Borgo Ognissanti, where all rental companies are also located.
All locations close at 6:30 or 7pm, except for the airport rental center, that closes at midnight. However the location at the city center (Borgo Ognissanti) allows after hours drop off (not sure if additional fees are required in that case). Since the taxi from the airport is at least 25€, it’s probably less to pay the extra fee for after hours drop off. From Borgo Ognissanti you can walk to any hotel downtown.
ZTL is not an issue if you return after 8pm. The ZTL is affective weekdays from 7:30am to 8pm. In any case Borgo Ognissanti can be reached without incurring into the ZTL cameras, you just need to know the proper itinerary and not get lost. The ZTL is well signaled with a red light and signs in English, so don’t worry.