We are heading to Italy in May 2020, three weeks. Basically following Rick's Itinerary except in the South. We've already been to Pompei so we're going west of Rome to Ostia near the end.
Flying into Milan, renting car to do the North, Varenna, Bolzano, Brunico, Cortina and then down to Venice. Second leg, Padua, Parma, Cinque Terre, Florence slow roll through various hill towns to Rome/Ostia and then flying home out of Rome.
The north leg appears to be best by car. Wondering if ditching the car in Venice is wise an relying on trains the rest of the way other than maybe another segment by car in Tuscany.
A little background. We did 6 weeks in Europe in the 80's, saw all the important cities in Spain, France and Italy. Won't spend a ton of time in Florence or Rome. We will be doing the South of Italy and Sicily on a subsequent trip.
In short, Which sections by car and which by train? if someone has seen a similar question on the forum, a link would suffice. Thank you, fellow travelers!!!
Posted by
872 posts
"The north leg appears to be best by car. Wondering if ditching the car in Venice is wise an relying on trains the rest of the way other than maybe another segment by car in Tuscany."
I agree. Read this about driving in Italy and restrictions involved [ZTLs]; avoid leaving anything of value in a car when parked:
http://driventoit.blogspot.com/
Because of these issues, driving is not an efficient means of driving between cities and towns easily served by public transportation, mostly trains. You don't indicate the length of the Varenna stay; whether or not you will be impaired to drive after a long flight. It might be appropriate to take the 2-hour train ride to Varenna, change downtown, then when leaving pick up a Hertz car in Lecco. If unimpaired, probably drive out of MXP. Dumping the car in Venice, all the places you mention are served by trains. A car leaving Florence is possible, maybe return in Rome; or in Chiusi [Hertz closed Sunday] and a train.
Posted by
11651 posts
How long will you be in Venice where you can’t use a car? If more than a few days, drop off car and pickup another one as you depart. Do the same in Florence.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
Car is worse than useless in Venice, Padua, Parma, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome. Dolomites and Tuscan hill towns could be handy. Just watch your speed, even if the locals are tailgating you. The locals know where the speed cameras are located. And watch out for ZTL's in any towns you come to.