driving in tuscany

I've noticed, even this past month, that nowadays practically all towns and villages with a historic center have a ZTL. That includes my grandparents' village in Tuscany that is not even on most maps. Just watch for the infamous white with red border circle, such as this one: http://www.comune.vicenza.it/uffici/settextra/polizia/ztl/ The sign is often accompanied by the hours in which the ZTL is effective (in some cases you can enter in the evenings and nights). Parking is often available just outside the ZTL and parking lots are clearly marked by this sign: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Italian_traffic_signs_-_parcheggio.svg It is also important to know the stripes on the ground on public streets: BLUE: This is not handicapped, like in the US. Blue means pay parking, such as parking meter parking (meter machines in Italy are not the old type anymore. They are generally automatic machines located somewhere in the vicinity which, upon pre-payment, spit out a receipt with the expiration hour to place on the dash). YELLOW: Restricted parking (handicapped or police etc. as marked. WHITE: Could be free parking, but watch out for signs indicating that only residents with permit can park there. DISCO ORARIO: This is time limited parking. In Italy the police does not pass by with a chalk to mark your tires. You must display on the dash the time you have arrived. All rental car will have a "disco orario" which you can set with the time of arrival. You will then have to remove your car before the time in that street expires. This is the sign: http://www.unclebeto.com/segnali-utili-per-la-guida-e-vari-cartello-parcheggio-disco-orario.1.131.5858.gp.122501.uw.aspx

We are just back from ten days of wine tasting in Tuscany. I don't remember seeing a lot of ZTLs in the smaller towns but nearly town had a speed camera as you entered the town. As bring a very good GPS - critical if you want a less stressful driving experience. Most parking lots are identified with direction signs and access points.

thanks roberto - that's helpful. sue