We will be in Italy the last part of our vacation. We want to rent a car when we leave the Cinque Terre area and have four days to explore Tuscany before arriving in Venice. Have already decided that we want to travel by train at least from Florence to Venice and only feel brave enough to drive in Italy in the countryside. Just read about some difficulties returning a car near the train stations in Florence. Would someone be able to suggest a smaller town close to Florence to return a car? We still are trying to figure out a base for Tuscany. We farm, interested in agrituristimos, small towns, and vineyards. So appreciate any help. I have been stewing over this for some time.
Thanks,
Jackie
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10261 posts
We returned our car at the airport in Florence. From there you can take an Express bus to the train station. If you would like a recommendation for an Agriturismo that we loved, sent me a Private Message.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
It is really easy to rent at the airport in Florence and head straight out to the freeway. Just pay attention to the signs if you do not have a GPS and you should have no problems. You will love the freedom of being able to explore Tuscany on your own. Return to the airport is well marked. I loved my stay at a little B&B in San Donato called Antica Dimora. You will not have any problem with traffic there:) There are a few hotels, a vineyard and a church and that is about it. Near San g., but it overlooks the countryside and is quiet and peaceful. When we arrived there were a group of artists staying there and were painting... it was like a scene from a movie.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8173 posts
You'll do better if you'll take the train from Cinque Terre to Florence before going to Venice by train.
And don't worry about renting a car in Florence and heading south into the Tuscan countryside. We caught a cab 2 miles from the Florence train station to Hertz' location @ 53 Via del Sansovino. They gave directions out of town avoiding any ZTL's.
We stayed between Certaldo and San Gimignano on an agriturismo booked through Booking.com for 70 Euros for 2 bedroom apartment. There are many other popular towns, like Siena, to stay outside of. Rambling through the countryside is very enjoyable, with good paved (but crooked) roads.
You'll be amazed how farms averaging 20 acres can make a living. Every one has apartments and rooms as a source of secondary income.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15269 posts
This is what you should do.
From the Cinque Terre, take a short train ride to La Spezia and rent your car from there.
La Spezia has several major car rental agencies. AVIS is walking distance from the station, all others are just a couple of miles away near the port and easily reachable by taxi from the station. La Spezia is easy enough to navigate and the rentals near the port are really close to the freeway entrance.
After picking up your car, drive to Tuscany using the A12 freeway (toward Livorno), then near Viareggio take the "bretella" (freeway connector) to the A11, toward Lucca and Florence. If along the way you want to make a stop in Pisa, instead of taking the directions to Florence, continue south to Pisa (exit Pisa Nord).
Proceed to the Tuscany countryside destination of your choice.
The area along the Siena-Florence freeway between Impruneta and Siena is the most central for day trips anywhere.
At the end of your 4 day roaming around Tuscany, return your car in Florence as soon as you arrive, if you intend to visit Florence after that 4 day tour of Tuscany.
If Florence is not at all in your plans, or if you intend to visit Florence only for a day on a day trip from your countryside location, then don't bother to return the car in Florence. Keep it and drive all the way from your countryside accommodations all the way to Venice. The drive is nearly 100% freeway, therefore it's easy. Once you arrive in Venice Mestre, you will be crossing the Liberty bridge into Venice historical center. Don't speed on the bridge, it's full of speed cameras and you'll get a ticket if you do. Once you cross the 6 lane bridge follow the directions to Piazzale Roma. You'll see a huge parking structure on arrival. That's the Autorimessa Comunale (City Parking Garage). All the rental car companies are there. Return your car at that location.
Posted by
OP
Lancaster, WISCONSIN, United States
10 posts
Thanks all for the info. Liked hearing about possible rural places to stay. Roberto, I think that we will take your advice and try and rent a car from La Spezia. Still do not think that we want to drive into Florence, but glad to know that we could drive to the airport, and get a bus shuttle to the train station. At this point, I am going to try and look for a smaller town that is on the way to Florence. That way we can check our bags at the train station (I hope) and have a few hours just to wander in Florence before moving on to our destination of Venice that evening.
Jackie
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15269 posts
As I said you could also consider to drive to Venice. It might be cheaper than the train depending on how many people are in your party.
Those 4 days in Tuscany you should try to find accommodations in a central area so that you can visit all those places from that central location. The Alta Val D'Elsa (Upper Elsa Valley) is probably best to visit the most famous Tuscan towns. The Alta Val D'Elsa area includes the towns of Poggibonsi, Colle Val'D'Elsa, Monteriggioni, Barberino Val D'Elsa, San Donato in Poggio, San Gimignano and Certaldo. There are plenty of farmhouses (agriturismo) in that area as well.
I would look into accommodations in that area in your shoes.