This is our first time in Europe, we’d like to drive from Florence over toward the coast down to Rome where we will catch our cruise connection we have 2 nights available to do so. What are the highlights we need to see and bet places to stay with a car?
Posted by
4434 posts
Really endless options, did you want two different places for two one-night stays? It is a 3-4 hour drive without stops, so you could do either.
Massa Marittima and Pitigliano are both lovely, but you are likely to get 20 different equally great suggestions, so I would try to narrow down your wish list a bit.
ETA My suggestions are close to the coast (MM more so) but not right on the sea--if you wanted that, let me know.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
We’d probably stay 2 different places. The last maybe closer to our port, maybe an 1-1/2 hrs away?
Posted by
4434 posts
Pitigliano is right in that sweet spot. Orbetello is a neat place too--very different, being situated on a spit of land, and within an hour away from Civitivecchia (assuming that is the port).
These are just places I personally enjoyed, really so many possibilities!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15198 posts
The best part of the Tuscan coast is an area called Maremma, which corresponds to the western portion closest to the Sea of Southern Tuscany and Northern Latium, but mostly part of the Province of Grosseto.
Both Pitigliano and Massa Marittima, suggested above, are in Maremma, although a bit not on the shore (if you want to be on the shore). There are many other famous great places, Capalbio (the hamlet popular with the Roman political VIP) is the most famous, but I like everything on the Mt. Argentario peninsula (Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole). From Porto Santo Stefano you can take a day trip via ferry to the Giglio island, made famous by the capsized Costa Concordia (I know maybe I shouldn't remind you of this before going to a cruise).
Below is a the official website for the area, but if you Google "Maremma Turismo" you will find plenty of resources.
https://www.tuttomaremma.com/en/
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2115 posts
Welcome to the forum! We enjoyed driving in Tuscany and had no problems. There are a few things that you need to know.
You'll need to get an International Driver's Permit (IDP) before you go. It's inexpensive and any AAA office can issue it. Learn the rules of the road, including signage. There's plenty of sites that give good info, just Google "driving in Italy". Like most European countries, speed limits are strictly enforced and there are automatic cameras to catch speeders.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with ZTL, the pedestrian friendly areas in many Italian towns. They are well marked and easily avoided if you know what to look for. Driving into a ZTL carries a pretty stiff fine for each infraction.
Have you checked out renting a car? You can rent in Florence, but you'll need to pay close attention to how to drive out of the city without accidentally getting a ZTL ticket. Also be aware that you may have to pay a premium to rent from one location and return to another.
Since this is your first time in Europe, think carefully if you want to add the additional complexity that renting a car will entail.