Tuscany by car and country inns

With the invention of the internet, it's just so easy to plan your trip and reserve rooms. Less expensive, too. See Booking.com, Venere.com and AirBnB.com for more Italian accommodations than you can believe. My best suggestion is to take your Italy trip slowly; staying in one place 3 or 4 nights. Then, you can better experience that location or do day trips to other interesting sights and cities. I do stay in hotels in cities, but really prefer Bed and Breakfasts or Agriturisimos in the countryside. None of our most memorable characters in world travel have been in hotels. Another suggestion is to fly open jawed; Into one city (like Venice) and out of another (like Pisa or Rome.) It's no more expensive, and more efficient and inexpensive than backtracking
to the airport you came into originally. With $8.50 gasoline, most people will take trains from city to city, and reserve rental cars for day trips, such as around the Tuscan hill country. Many people talk highly of AutoEurope.com, which are consolidators. Most of their cars are picked up at Hertz. Compare Hertz.com's direct rates with AutoEurope's rates too. I'm leaving my Florence Hertz car in Orvieto with no dropoff charge. I've been to Venice 5 times, so I'm unfortunately not going there this trip. We're doing Florence 3 nights, San Gimgnano countryside 4 nights, Orvieto 1 night and Rome 4 nights in early April. Have a great trip!

Jim, Here's some "caveats" regarding driving in Italy..... It's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases are provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on driving in Italy. You may also want to search other Posts here regarding the Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many towns in Italy (especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated so I just accept that offered by the rental firm. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. Happy travels!