train/car rental help

As long as you won't have a ton of luggage I would suggest using the train. They are quick and cheap and you'll be able to relax on the trip. You don't want to risk the possible fines that driving in Italy can produce. Donna

Driving anywhere can produce fines. It's a long hump up the hill to Assisi from the train station. Who's going to take care of the older lady's stuff during the quick train changes?

I think we can pack everything into 2 carry ons. My husband can carry one and I can carry the other. Is there some sort of car service we could take from the train station?

To visit strictly the 3 locations you mentioned (Rome, Assisi and Cinque Terre) you don't need a car and while you are there you would probably keep it parked the whole time. Even Assisi is pretty much a walking medieval town with limited parking space within the old town center. Having a car to travel from Rome to Assisi and then to the Cinque Terre however may have some advantages to consider: 1. You don't have to deal with multiple train changes while carrying your luggage along. With a car the luggage can sit comfortably in the trunk the whole way. 2. While Rome to Assisi by train is just as quick as by car (2 hours and only one train change) on the Assisi to Cinque Terre trip the car would be much faster since train travel would require several train changes and about 6 hours. By car you can get to the Cinque Terre in 3 and 1/2 hours from Assisi (assuming no stops).
3. With your own car, you can probably squeeze some side trips and side stops along the way. For example you could stop to some interesting towns that are on the way from Rome to Assisi (e.g.: Todi, Perugia if you take SS3 bis, or Spoleto, Spello if you take SS3) or some other interesting towns between Assisi and the Cinque Terre (e.g. Cortona, Arezzo, Florence, Lucca, Pisa and many others). In terms of cost, trains are cheap, especially since you are not dealing with more expensive high speed trains. So, weigh in your options and see what you'd be more comfortable with. I don't know if there are rental car companies in Assisi, but I would actually consider renting one just for that trip from Assisi to the Cinque Terre. Then you can return it to La Spezia (near Cinque Terre) or maybe take it with you all the way to Milan and return it there before flying back.

Just checked for rental car options in Assisi. Not in Assisi, but at the nearby Perugia Airport there are rental companies of course. Perugia's airport is located between Perugia and Assisi, less than 10 miles from Assisi. I'm with Ed on this. Traveling with an elderly person I would prefer by car. Of course it depends on your mother's mobility and fitness. Several years ago, my mother in law went on a backpacking trip to 8 European countries on a Eurail pass at the age of 73. She also painted her own house at 84 and drove from San Francisco to Portland and back on a weekend in her late 80's, so I don't know if she can be used as an example of a typical elderly person.

Thank you. She is mobile but definately not in hiking shape! I will have to weigh in the pros and cons!

Terri, If you decide to rent a car, keep in mind that each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. The I.D.P.'s are easily obtained at any AAA office. You'll also need to be very careful to avoid Z.T.L. zones, as expensive tickets will result. Cheers!

If you pack carefully (so your mother isn't trying to haul luggage on/off trains), I think you could do the train, which I find to be far more relaxing than driving in Europe, even when traveling with someone who is less than fit. The Deutsche Bahn website allows you to force longer train transfer times if you want to, so you could avoid quick train changes (can't buy there, but it's a really good way to see what's possible re routing). I've also found some young men to be really kind helping with my luggage as I'm getting on/off trains and going down/up stairs (and not always just to get me out of the way). Finally, I think the scenery on the train ride from Rome to Assisi is lovely, and easier to enjoy when you're not driving/watching for signs/etc. And there are plenty of taxis from the train station to town, and a shuttle bus that runs from top to bottom of town.