We are driving from Tuscany to Florence in June and staying in Florence for three nights. We need the car after Florence as we are driving to the Dolomites. I know we don't need the car in Florence. Any advice on the best place to park it? I know RS mentions a longterm parking lot outside the center of town so will go with that if there are no better suggestions. Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Usually the best source of parking advice is your hotel. A few years ago we had to park our rental car in Florence for 3 days and we were able to do so right behind the hotel.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Have you considered returning the car in Florence and then renting a new one on your departure? I'd guess it would save you considerable money in both unused rental days and parking fees (and probably a ZTL violation or two).
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8166 posts
Douglas is right about possibly turning your rental car in when you hit Florence, and rent another upon your departure. The center of Florence has cameras everywhere, and their business is ticketing thousands of cars that venture into their infamous ZTL (no car zone). It's just not worth the risk of getting a $150 ticket. Fortunately, Italy car rentals often don't charge extra for drop off's. At $8.55 per gallon, most people are traveling from big city to big city by train. Then, they're renting cars to do day trips. The Dolomites are beautiful, and I've been through them five trips. But for my money, I suggest going NE of Venice to Udine, IT, and go north on Hwy SS52 into the Alps toward Lienz, Austria. There, the Grossglockner Highway takes you to Zell-Am-See over the second highest road in Europe (14,000 ft.) The scenery is beyond breathtaking, and is passable only in Summer. You can see all the northern Italy mountain roads on Mapquest.com if you magnify them. They're something special.