i_am_kane

If anyone followed my previous post about renting at the Roma Termini, we're done with that option.

The ride from the airport is fairly straightforward to Orbetello when you look at a map of the route. However, nothing is as it seems.

Upon further research, confusion has set into our brains, As we exit Fiumicino, we will head in the direction of north (obviously). Our mission is to get onto the Autostrada. So far, so good.

Question: Is the Autostrado completely finished from Rome to Genova or does the driver need to hop on-and-off to state roads?

For example: the various Internet website indicate using A12, E80, SS1. Can anyone fill me in?

Michael

If your destination is Porta Santo Stefano fairly close to Ancona, why not take the train from Rome to Ancona and pick up the car there?

annhig

hello again!

i had a look at google maps, and as i suspected, it's the same road with different numbers. I don't know why they do this, but it seems to be quite common. it runs right up the side of the sea so if you can see the sea to your left, you're going in the right direction!

[michael - ancona is on the other side of the country, this is the porto san stefano near orbetello, about 150 kms north of Rome. ]

i_am_kane

As an aside: I was counting on the Rama Mobilita bus to get us from the Orbetello train station to our hotel. The bus only gets you to the PSS port, it does not travel up Monte Argentario. A taxi cab would cost 30 euros to get us up the mountain.

We thought we could get a rental car in Porto Santo Stefano, BUT we are arriving on a Sat. somewhere around 3:30 p.m. All car rentals close in PSS on Sat. at 1:00 p.m, and hey aren't open on Sunday. So we would have had to spend 50 euros one-way from the Orbtello train station to the Hotel Torre di Calapiccola. Not until Monday would we be able to get down to the port to rent a car. OK, so we would have to return the car by the following Sat. before 1:00p.m., and not have a car for the remainder of the day. And the same craziness getting out of PSS on Sunday morning.

That's why we decided to come up from Sorrento-Naples-Roma Termini and get a rental car. The logistics are tricky getting out of the Termini onto the highway (not counting returning the car), and we bagged that idea.

We will take the Leonardo Express from the Termini to Fiumicino and pick up a rental car there to PSS. That's where I hit this new route numbering snag.

This isn't fun.

annhig, I'd bet on you...it's the same road with different numbers.

Rastaguytoday

i_am_kane,

I use viamichelin to plan out my routes in Europe.

It will give you detailed directions, when and how much tolls are, and a choice of its suggested route or your other choices.

It will also show you where there are reduced speeds required.

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes

Do as Joe Bob does, check it out.

annhig

using via michelin is a good idea, though the journey times tend to be on the optimistic side.

I am kane - are you taking/renting a GPS? I'm getting the feeling that it might be useful for you!

however think about this: once you are there, all your troubles will melt away. the area is stunning and you are sure to enjoy your stay.

Michael

A stop in Tarquinia between Fiumicino and Porto San Stefano would be worthwhile for the Etruscan museum and tombs.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622914974923

nytraveler

GPS is fine, as is via michelin (print out VERY detailed street maps of any town you will visit). But you also need fgood paper maps - Michelin for preference. If all you have is GPS and there is accident or unexpected construction or ? - you are totally in the soup without a real map.

(Take it from someone who has done MANY road trips in europe and throughout europe.)

i_am_kane

annhig, "However think about this: once you are there, all your troubles will melt away. the area is stunning and you are sure to enjoy your stay." Woman, I think I like you!

Yes, we will be sure to rent a GPS.

Michael, We will be in PSS for 8 nights. Taquinia is on our calendar to visit one day.

bobthenavigator

I did that drive last year. It is mostly autostrada but is merely the 2 lane S-1 in some segments. But, not a bad road. We stayed is Orbetello.

i_am_kane

Bob, thank you for your input. I remember reading your trip report (w/photos) about your stay in Orbetello. We are hoping the weather cooperates for us this year.

We may try exploring the mainland of Tuscany now that we have a car -- it should be a fun way to spend some of our vacation time. I still have an old (rather long) trip report from Stu Dudley about the Val D'Orcia.

annhig

I am kane - if you are going into venture into the hinterland east of Orbetello, two places i really liked were Pitigliano - like Orvieto without the crowds - and Massa Maritima which was really delightful. both were lovely to wander around and explore, and had very nice little restaurants for a light lunch.

if you fancy a dip in a hot bath, then you might try Saturnia - and there is an excellent restaurant in the nearby village too.

i_am_kane

annhig, Hmm, Pitigliano - like Orvieto without the crowds...sounds interesting. I did love Orvieto. Funny story, six of us were leaving Orvieto to catch the train (below) back to Rome.

We were at the hugely crowded funicular, and found out it wasn't working. The crowd was a tour group. An American couple said to us "we know about a path we all can take down to the train station - follow us." It was June, sunny and about 85 degreees. All of us ran down the mountain in the heat. I had to be 62, my husband 64 at the time. NEVER AGAIN!

annhig

I am kane - if anything, i liked Massa Maremma more than Pitigliano because it was completely unexpected. a beautiful medieval town, with a cathedral set up on steps, and little streets leading to a ?roman wall and tower. we didn't get a proper look at the cathedral as there was a wedding, but we did got up the tower and walk along the walls, then had a very nice lunch in a nearby restaurant eating typical marremma food, which is a true "cucina povera." [that day I had bought a local recipe book which co-incidentally features the dish we ate, which is called "acqua calda" or literally, "hot water".]

European

Yes, its finished. From Rome you should take A1 to Florence. Then from Florence you should choose A11 and to follow the indications, at one moment you should take A12 to Genova.

annhig

I am kane - I don't think that european's directions are accurate [or perhaps he hasn't realised from the rest of your post that you don't actually want to go to Genoa, you were just asking about the state of the road] - Orbetello is of course on the coast, a long way south of florence and Genoa.

you do not want to go via florence.

i_am_kane

annhig,

I realized what he wrote, but didn't want to embarass him onine.

annhig

I realized what he wrote, but didn't want to embarass him onine>>

you are kinder than me, I am kane.