Renting a van in Italy

Have you ever watched National Lampoon's European Vacation...

Bill, I think Tim paints a humorous but "true" picture. We drove a van a few times into the Tuscany area (WHY?). On the upside it was great fun to all be together and when we were on the "main" roads it was great. But our troubles (and a few scrapes) began when we started trying to find places to park, or even turn around in some of these small towns. We got very used to folding in the mirrors and often times half the van would empty to assist, coach... and mock our parking efforts. Word-to-the-wise... if the alleyway (street?) looks too narrow... it probably is! I speak from experience (bad experience). So yes, it can done - although two cars may be less expensive and easier to park. To use the van you'll have to have some patience, be able to drive in a very straight line in tight alleyways... and sometimes have thick skin.

Best I have ever done that comes close is a mini-van. It really wasn't bad at all. But good luck with finding parking for a 9 passenger.

There is no "9 passenger Fiat Ducato van" which can be hired on a normal drivers license. The maximum number of passengers for such a vehicle is 8. If you try renting from May-September they are all hired out to local businesses doing their tours. Off-season you may have more luck. Expect to pay 100 Euros per day. Nearly all are stick-shift: be prepared to pay a lot more for an automatic, if you can find one. Ask for a diesel (diesel is much cheaper than regular gasoline in Italy). Avoid the major companies (hertz etc), they charge twice the price (no exaggeration, you'll be looking at 200 per day from them). Smaller companies are also more flexible on the milage. If possible go for the long wheel base- and check there will be room for luggage: some VW's and Mercedes 9 seaters have enough back there for an umbrella only.

We were looking at renting a mini-van in Italy and quickly decided against it. The cost is exorbitant. It's cheaper to get 2 smaller vehicles! And finding parking is going is a pain ...

I think it depends on the situation. We were 5 people and with luggage needed a large auto. Traveling with my wife and three daughters I was glad to have the van. I know who would have been carrying those bags from bus to bus! A smaller auto would not have worked. I was happy with it even on the Amalfi coast.

Tom, when travelling with a party of up to 5 people a station wagon can be a good solution as well. Cheaper to rent and easier to park than a mini-van and still with a good amount of luggage space.

Bill, We rented 3-9 passenger vans in Italy 5 years ago to tour Tuscany. It was perfect. No we could not bring the vans into the small hill townsbut neither can you bring most cars into the city. We are going again in 2013renting 2 more 9 passenger vansfor a group of 10. (we have 3 weeks luggage). One of our vans was the Fiat ducatocan't remember much about it. Our van was a step van-really big-no problem. Make sure you have a GPS systemit was a life saverwe bought the italy upgrade for our portableand sold it when we returned to the US.
You can do it-have a great trip.