We will spend the first couple days around Florence doing walking tours and exploring on our own. We'd like to rent a car mid-week to go explore the Hiltons and etc. What car rental companies and location would you recommend/?Our apartment does have a garage for us. I do know that cars around Florence can be tricky so we'd like some insight on the best way to do this and hopefully avoid those expensive tickets we hear about. thank you
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
To visit the "Hiltons" you don't need a car, there is only one Hilton hotel in Florence, near Porta al Prato, and it's practically walking distance from the city center.
If you want to visit the "hill towns", from your apartment, I recommend to rent a car through a consolidator, such as www.Autoeurope.com or their affiliate www.kemwel.com. They work with all major companies, such as Europcar, Hertz, Avis-Budget etc.
In Florence the car rental locations are limited in number:
CITY CENTER LOCATIONS
All Companies: Borgo Ognissanti, a street parallel to the river arno near the US Consulate and not too far from the train station.
CITY LOCATIONS (not in city center)
Only two companies have locations other than airport and city center (Borgo Ognissanti)
Europcar: Via Forlanini 2 (Novoli District)
Hertz: via del Sansovino 53 (Isolotto district)
AIRPORT RENTAL CENTER
All companies: Via Palagio degli Spini (near the airport, obviously)
If you tell me the address of your apartment, I can give you better advice on where to pick up and how to return to your apartment.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
What are "Hiltons"? You don't actually mean the Hilton hotel brand, do you? Can't imagine what you would want to see that.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
autocorrect?
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
Roberto is right on.
If you don't mind the cost, renting at an airport location (and drop off) is much easier to escape the city. I have driven in Florence, one time only and never again. It isn't horrible I suppose but it is never wracking for me.