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Venice to Ortisei to Malcesine to Monterossa questions

So we will be in northern Italy for 16 nights in September/October 2020. I have an itinerary for where we want to stay and want to start booking Airbnbs now. As background our itinerary is as follows:

3 nights Venice
3 nights Ortisei
2 night Malcesine
3 night Monterossa
3 nights in agriturissomo outside of Volterra
2 nights Florence

I am working on the first leg of our trip as above. We are two couples looking to stay in 2 bedroom accommodations with washer/dryer so we can pack light. In Venice I'm looking to stay in the Dorsoduro area. It looks to be quiet but still close to everything. Anyone have a particular place they like to stay there?

Also want to rent a car when we leave Venice, probably at the airport?, and then drive to Ortisei, Malcesine and then to CT. The question is, where can we return the car before Monterossa. Looks like LaSpezia is a travel hub but was hoping to find a place to return the car closer to the northern part and Monterossa. Is there anyplace like that where we wouldn't have to train through all villages to get to Monterrosa?

Any particular recommendations for accommodations for any of these place? We hope to stay around $100 per couple per night if possible. I've been looking at airbnbns and can find places but just was asking in case anyone had a specific place they loved.

Thanks.

Posted by
3812 posts

probably at the airport?

Why not at Piazzale Roma Square on the islands or close to Mestre station on the mainland?

place to return the car closer to the northern part and Monterossa.

Try Sestri Levante where Trenitalia's Intercity trains coming from Milan stop before heading on for the Cinque Terre.

Incidentally, the village name is Monterosso.

Posted by
45 posts

Thank you! I'll check those out. Which is easier to get to from the city of Venice?

Posted by
3812 posts

Both Piazzale Roma and Mestre station are places inside the City of Venice and can be easily found on Google Maps. As I wrote above the former is on the islands, the latter on the mainland. I'm sure that your hotel is on Google Maps, too.

Posted by
32214 posts

crose,

I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but note that each driver listed on the rental form will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are easily obtained at any AAA / CAA office for a small fee.

You may find this article helpful - https://luxeadventuretraveler.com/driving-in-italy/ .

You'll also have to be extremely vigilant to avoid the ZTL (limited traffic) zones which exist in many Italian towns. Each pass through one will result in hefty fines, which you may not know about until several months after you return home. There are also automated speed cameras, including the Tutor.

Dario provided some good suggestions on places to return the car north of Monterosso.

Recommendations for accommodations..... You should be able to find some suggestions in the Rick Steves Italy guidebook, Trip Advisor or other sites. Accommodations in Monterosso tend to be more in the way of hotels. I've never looked for Air Bnb places as I prefer hotels, but I'm sure there must be some. Have a look at THIS PLACE and see if it might fit your criteria. Were you quoting US$100 per couple? You may have to increase your budget, as that seems a bit low for anywhere in Italy.

Posted by
45 posts

Thank you for the information on car rental and returns. I will check that out. We will be very vigil about the ZTL zones. That's why I was thinking getting a car at the airport and maybe avoid that. But since those two locations in the city will be okay for renting and getting out of town, I think they will be more convenient.

So my son was in Monterroso a couple years ago and they also stayed at the Locanda II Maestrale and they loved it, so I'm thinking maybe that's a sign we should stay there. Thank you for that recommendation.

I have all of Rick Steves' books for the areas we're going to and always take those into consideration but sometimes with four people we can have more space and maybe a washer and dryer for the same price at and airbnb. I am looking at both.

Thanks again for all your recommendations.