car rental in Italy

You're traveling with a difficult number of people. Chances are you'll have to have a van, and that's going to be very expensive.

I would suggest you check with Autoeurope and see what they can come up with. You can always get better rates picking rental cars up in the city (versus the airport or train stations).

I usually go first to Hertz since I have a company discount card. AFter that, i would go with National or Alamo.

Beware that you'll have to purchase CDW coverage that's mandatory in Italy. But you don't have to accept their optional insurance on thefts of personal belongings (usually covered by your homeowners policy.)

Another recommendation for AutoEurope. They are a car rental broker. You enter your locations and dates and they’ll show you a list of available options. You’ll need a 7 seater minivan. Everyone will need to pack light - carryon only. Remember you’ll have 6 suitcases and several day bags. Cargo area will be smaller than minivans in the states. Rental prices are ridiculous this year. You may want to consider only renting the car for the time you are spending outside the big cities. You don’t want a car in Milan or Rome. Parking will be a big challenge wherever you go. The train may be a lot easier (and cheaper), if you’re not spending a lot of time in the countryside.

As the other replies have mentioned, you'll likely need a Van to accommodate six people along with luggage. As you'll have a toddler, you may also be travelling with a car seat, stroller and other gear. The van may have a manual transmission so you'll have to be able to drive that.

Keep in mind that a larger vehicle will need more space for parking. If you leave the vehicle parked with all your kit inside while sightseeing, there's also the risk of having a break-in.

There are also the usual caveats for driving in Italy. Each driver will need the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L., so you'll need to take both. Many towns have ZTL (limited traffic) areas and if you drive into those, you can expect hefty fines each time. There are also tolls on the motorways and speed cameras (including the Traffic Tutor) to be aware of. If you haven't driven in Europe before, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the road signs.

I assume you live in North America? You might find it helpful to call or Email gemut.com. As I recall, they have a toll free number. They also have a downloadable car rental guide on their website, and there's a section there on renting Vans. As someone else mentioned, you'll have to purchase at least a portion of the insurance from the rental agency.

Travel by train is generally faster, more efficient and with fewer caveats (although there are still a few to be aware of).