We will be flying to Venice, spending 2 nights, and then would like to spend some time in Florence (2 nights) and Tuscany/Umrbia (3-4 nights). Should we take a train from Venice to Florence, rent a car, drive to Tuscany (stay for 3-4 nights) and do the different hill towns, return with the car to Florence, spend 2 nights, then take the train to Rome?
PLEASE HELP! I don't know what's best to do.
You are fine with your plan until you get to Florence. Be very cautious on where you rent your car there. The historical area of Florence is one giant restricted driving zone and the rental cars are generally not registered with the police department. There are some rental car places just outside these ZTLs (that's what they're called) that will get you right onto the Autostrada.
A rental car for Tuscany and Umbria is just great. You will do just fine. For turn in, go for Orvieto and not a return to Florence. This gives you one more great town to visit before a 1hr. train ride to Rome.
Bob, we dd a similar trip in 2005. Took the train from Venice to Florence, then cabbed to the car rental office. We followed the rental company's very specific instructions on how to get straight out of town without going through the ZTL, spent a week in Tuscany, and then returned the car at the Rome train station (probably better to return it in Orvieto as advised here).
Go for it, and Buon Viaggio!
Bob,
We just returned from Italy last week and that was almost identical to our itinerary. We flew into Venice for three nights, and then took the train to Florence. We spent two nights there (a block from the Duomo) and then took the bus to the airport where we rented a car to drive to the Tuscan hill town of Belforte (next to Radicondoli) for six nights. We returned to Florence (about a 1 hour drive), returned our car, took the shuttle/bus to the train station and then took the fast train to Rome where we spent 3 nights. If you would like more details or have specific questions, I'll be glad to help.
Mark
You do realize that Florence is in Tuscany, right? Tuscany is a region.
I also would suggest that you start in Venice, then take the train to Florence. Spend your time there, then upon leaving, pick up a rental car for days in rural Tuscany. Drop off your car on the way into Rome, and finish your trip in Rome.
Consider spending more than 2 nights in each of Venice and Florence - when you include travel time, you'll have only a little more than one full day in each of those fabulous locations.
Bob,
Which strategy to use will depend to some extent on which towns you want to visit in Tuscany and Umbria. If you're going to be only in larger towns well served by rail or Bus, then public transport might be a better option.
However, if you want to visit smaller "out of the way" places and have some freedom with your schedule, then a car rental would be a good idea.
As the others have mentioned, you'll need to be especially careful with "ZTL zones". Note that these are being increasingly implemented in many towns in Italy, so Florence is not the only place you'll need to be wary of these. I've seen them in the south also.
Note that you'll need an International Driver's Permit for driving in Italy, which must be used in conjunction with your regular license. Failure to produce may result in fines being charged on the spot! These permits are very inexpensive and can be obtained at any AAA branch. With the IDP, you'll get a chart showing road signs, etc. that you'll be encountering, so be sure you're familiar with those, and also parking signs and regulations!
I'd suggest a GPS unit along with a good Michelin map for "backup" (GPS units are not infallible). I normally get the full CDW these days as I dont' want any "problems", and trying to figure out the various coverage options with credit cards is a darn nuisance.
In the same circumstances, I'd pick up the car somewhere outside of Florence (perhaps the airport) and return it in Orvieto (from there it's only a short train ride into Rome). Note that the majority of cars will be manual transmission - if you want an automatic, you'll have to specically request one. Also, many rental cars use Diesel ("Gasolio"). Having a car will be good if you're planning to visit Civita di Bagnoregio, one of Rick's favourite hill towns. That trip can be done by Bus from Orvieto, but it's a lot slower.
Happy travels!
Hi Bob,
We just returned yesterday and did much what you describe in your plan. We were so greatful to have the car through the hill towns. We stayed at Terrapille, just outside of Pienza and it was truly enchanting. I do echo everyone's caution on driving in Florence at all. If we had it to do over again we would have parked the car outside and walked in. I anticipate a few fines for ZTL infractions. Otherwise the car was wonderful.
Enjoy!
Jodie
