We are driving in Italy for the first time and are both excited and scared spitless - mostly excited. Mapquest shows us a 3.5 hour route right up the middle through the Florence area. What route would you suggest? The coast? We pick up the car at Termini at noon and have hotel reservations in Lucca that night. We would love to see some beautiful countryside and don't need the fastest route but wonder how long the scenic route might take. Thanks for your suggestions!
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
When we head from Rome to Florence and beyond, we always go up SS2 (Via Casia) towards Siena and then cach SS222 - one of the most scenic roads in Italy - to Florence. There, you can cut across to Lucca... but this takes HOURS - because you cannot drive through Tuscany without stopping at the many farms and villages! If you're not on a "timed schedule," and you shouldn't even attempt to be on one when driving in Italy, then this is a great way to see the countryside! Our "normal" trips to Florence take 6-7 HOURS because we NEVER go without stopping.
Conversely, you can blast up the A1, swing through Deruta for pottery, then stop by the Prada Outlet, and still make Florence in a few hours! From Florence by highway, it's about an hour to Lucca.
Just too many choices!