I was planning to use Rick's route through Italy, but we'd like to rent a car for six days to see the Tuscany, Umbria and the Dolomites. The revised plan is trains from Milan to Cinque Terra, Sorrento, Rome, and Florence, then pick up a car to tour hill towns (4 days), drive to Bolzano for a few days, drop off the car in Verona then train to Venice. Do this make sense? Is there too much back tracking? Is it even possible to get six days on the rail drive pass and divide the car rental into two parts?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32473 posts
Kerri,
Your plan sounds quite reasonable, although I might do a bit of "fine tuning". When is this trip taking place?
Travel by train on the route Milan > Cinque Terre > Sorrento > Rome sounds good. However, as you're planning to use the car for touring Tuscany and Umbria, you you could also rent in Orvieto (which is in Umbria) and drop it in Florence and use trains to Bolzano. Going to Florence and then back to Umbria involves some "backtracking".
A few points to mention.....
- Note that each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L.
- Especially in Florence but also other towns, you'll have to be very vigilant to avoid the dreaded ZTL (limited traffic) areas, as hefty fines will result if you travel through them.
- Be sure to allow for tolls on the motorways.
- As you're probably aware, travel from Naples to Sorrento uses a smaller commuter rail network called the Circumvesuviana, which has somewhat of a "reputation" for pickpockets and scammers. Watch your luggage carefully and wear Money Belts!
- Have you travelled by train in Italy before? There are a few potentially expensive "caveats" to be aware of. Post another note if you need more information.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Check the roninrome.com website for train travel details, good info for anywhere in Italy.
Also check prices on Trenitalia and car rental agencies to see if the pass is really worth it.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
:-(
Man in Seat 61?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16899 posts
All Rail & Drive passes were discontinued as of this January 1, so you will have to rent the car(s) separately. The cost of booking a car ahead for 1, 2, or 3 days is often one price, as is the cost of booking for 5, 6, or 7 days, so I wouldn't necessarily split up the rental period. Read about the regular rail pass at http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/italy-rail-passes.