We are leaving for Italy in less than a month for a 2 week trip, first stop Venice. We were planning on renting a car as we leave Venice to drive to Verona. Nothing is set yet, so would it be easier for first time car-renters to take train to Padua (and maybe stay a night or two) and rent the car there instead? I read that renting a car in big cities can be hectic, but don't know if Venice is considered one of the confusing ones (tho it certainly isn't Firenze!).
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Venice would not be difficult; the only places you can pick up cars are right on the road out of town. But since trains serve both Padua and Verona easily, you don't need a car for either one. You could pick up at Verona or closer to the area where you need the car (Tuscany?).
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34352 posts
A car in Verona is a headache.
The train drops you at Verona Porta Nuova with an easy walk to the arena, and easy transport further.
Where are you going after Verona?
Posted by
OP
georgia
31 posts
Perhaps we'll drive some at Lake Garda. Or just the countryside or tiny villages? We think we'd enjoy that as a change, has anyone just poked about on backroads? Originally thought we'd stay in agriturismos but have reconsidered - don't want potentially have to drive for two meals even if it's a just a few kilometers away. Just pop out the door in a town and start walking. The whole car idea is just to try it and see if we like it. When in Sicily years ago we opted not to drive and now sort of wish we had tried it. We travelled with friends years ago in Tuscany and had a car for 3 days but we weren't the drivers.
Posted by
Frisco, Texas, US
263 posts
Train to Verona, then rent the car if you need it.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34352 posts
OK, so put things in place so that you can drive in Italy. Learn what the speed limits are because you won't see many signs. You are expected to know them, and the cameras will get you if you don't go the right speed.
Be aware of the the high prices for the tolls on the Autostrada, and the fact they use a system to average your speed over a long distance as well as having instant capture so you can't slow down for cameras and then speed up - what is referred to in the UK as camera surfing. The tickets come much later, signalled by a fee popping up from the rental car company for providing your information to the police - that fee is not the fine just a service that the company has to provide under law.
Each driver requires an IDP - International Driving Permit - which works with your Georgia driving license (that is the state in the US, not the country, right?). Only two places in the US are authorised to issue them, and the easier is usually the AAA. Get down there with the Georgia licenses, and two passport type photos, or they can take them. Pay them the fee, and go home and put them in your moneybelts.
When you rent the car be sure to document all the little dings and scratches, no matter how small, photographs are good, and be sure about the fuel. Both what it takes, how to identify it when refueling, and how you are expected to return the car.Take plenty of photos then, too.
It sounds like you will miss the Canova Museum I mentioned in one of your earlier threads. Will you see the life sized chess board?
Posted by
OP
georgia
31 posts
Nigel, where is the life sized chess board? Marostica? Not planning on Possagno but hope to see Canova in Museo Correr in Venice, also in Padua if we spend any time there.
Got international driving permit for hubby. Still planning on staying in one agriturismo while we have the car.
This forum has been immensely helpful, informative, entertaining. I'm spending way too much time in front of computer rather being sure my new walking shoes are broken in!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34352 posts
That's the one.
Warning - if you are there at noon midweek you will be the only person you will see in the town....