Going to Italy in November. Do you think driving in the area of Venice and Florence, Tuscany and then taking a train to Rome. My grandaughter is 17 and the other is 11 we want to really do things ourselves. What do you think of staying outside of Rome. Would it be cheaper?
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
Venice is all canals. Unless your car has a propeller and floats it won't do you much good! Realistically you only need the car in Tuscany, do the rest by train. This assumes, of course, you're a Rick Steve's kind of traveler with one bag that you can manage. If you travel with many of your household belongings and several bags per person, the train is much less convenient!
Posted by
St. Louis, MO (formerly, Windermere, FL)
340 posts
Hi, Ginny,
How wonderful that you are traveling with your grand daughters! I hope they know how fortunate they are. We traveled several times to Europe with our children (who are now in their early 20s)starting when they were 13. You don't say if you have been to Europe before or if you have driven in Europe/Italy before, so I will assume you have not. Public transportation in Europe is so different than it is here and used by everyone. Driving gives you a little more mobility but can be very stressful and expensive when you consider gas and tolls. If your trip begins in Venice, pick up a car when you are done there and drive to Florence. Do Tuscany with the car, then take the train to Rome. Staying in the center of Rome may cost a bit more (it doesn't have to) but is so worth being right there! You could stay somewhere interesting like a convent or Bed and Breakfast. In November you should be able to find some good hotel deals. Have fun planning and have the girls help you.
Posted by
Monroe, WA, USA
151 posts
I have read about some less touristed areas near Venice that could be part of a car trip, parts of the Veneto are less touristy but still atmospheric, could be an idea.
We just returned from three weeks in Europe with our six year old and it was really wonderful. The memories form and continue to bubble out over weeks and months.
Take the train as much as possible. Things are so easy to navigate. The Tuscan Hill towns need a car but I would skip it after that. Stay near town centers and/or train stations and get out and walk.
Check out the cross-pollinate.com for accommodations in Rome, Florence and Venice. Enjoy!
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
A car is best to explore the Tuscan countryside but ditch the car and train to Venice and from Venice to Rome. The sights are in the city center of Rome. You may be able to save money by staying outside of Rome but the time and expense of commuting into Rome everyday would offset the savings.