Car rentals and international driver's license in Tuscany Greve Chianti

Most rental agencies have age policies. You need to check with the rental agency to determine what their policy is.

An International Drivers Permit is required by law to drive in Italy. The IDP is not a license, it is additional documentation translating and authenticating your regular state drivers license. In the US, AAA is the only authorized vendor for the IDP.

Technically the Quest or Pathfinder will seat 7. Whether you'll all fit comfortably with luggage is more debatable, but possible. Roads can be very narrow and twisty. Whomever is driving needs to be comfortable with that. Most towns do not allow cars without special permission (ZTL) so you'll typically be parking outside the town walls and walking in from there. Parking spaces will often be very tight.

I'm turning 74 this year. No problem renting in Italy last year or for this year's trip. From my understanding, particular rental companies may place age restrictions or add surcharges over age 75. The IDP is really nothing more than an official translation of your US license. But don't get stopped without one or you risk a hefty fine.

You should take what Douglas said, above, about tight parking VERY seriously. I've had difficulty maneuvering a compact car out of the spaces in some Italian lots. It's not just a question of your skill. The car that pulls in next to you may make pulling out a real problem, or may scrape you in trying to wedge himself into the tiny space.

Have you considered renting two smaller vehicles? An additional advantage to two cars is that your group members will be able to have some independence. Too much togetherness when traveling can get old very quickly.

I am almost 100% certain that neither Nissan model is sold in Italy. The closest thing to a Nissan Quest would be a Nissan Evalia, while the closest thing to a Nissan Pathfinder would be the Nissan X-Trail. I doubt either is carried by the major rental companies in Italy (Europcar, Hertz, Avis).

For 7 people you could get a Renault Grand Scenic which is automatic transmission, from Europcar. Or you could get a Ford Galaxy, also automatic, from Hertz. Both seat 7 people, including the driver. Europcar also carries the Fiat Scudo and the VW Caravelle, both of which seat 7 passengers. Google these models to see what they look like.

They have also larger vans (Fiat Ducato, Renault Traffic, Mercedes Vito), which seat 9 people, but those would severely impair your ability to negotiate the narrow ancient streets of Italian cities and towns.

Now, I must also tell you that renting a minivan costs as much as 3 economy cars, therefore, if you have at least 2 adults willing to drive there, you would save a lot by renting two Economy or even Compact cars, rather than one minivan. Obviously there would be no problems navigating in small spaces with those smaller vehicles. Economy cars tend to come with manual transmission only, compact may have both (you just have to request one with auto transmission).

For rentals over 3 days I generally use these consolidators:
www.autoeurope.com
www.kemwel.com
They are now part of the same corporate group, but prices vary, so check both. They both work with the major companies in Italy (Europcar, Hertz, Avis-Budget).

My uncle in Italy drove until the day he died at 92, so don't worry about being able to drive in Italy at the age of 69. Some rental companies place some restrictions/add'l fees for drivers over 70 or 75, but there are no restrictions for 69.

Be sure to have the idl. I have been stopped at random places by the police and the idl was a godsend.

You should try gemut.com, a USA company that will arrange a rental at good rates. The good thing is you can talk to them so you can get solid advice.

If you drive have a gps with European maps. The gps is a godsend.