Felix

I am renting a car and driving around Italy. I was wondering if it's difficult to drive around in the larger cities given the aggressive driving of the locals. I also don't speak Italian. Anyone want to share their war stories with me? <BR> <BR>Thanks. <BR> <BR>Felix

Rex

I think that Italians, French, Germans, Spaniards and many other europeans - - who really KNOW how to use their cars VERY WELL are among the best and most enviable drivers anywhere. <BR> <BR>If you consider them aggressive, then maybe you don't want to go about collecting your own set of "war stories".

Ed

Italian cities are a challenge mostly because of the traffic. Drivers also tend to squeeze 4 cars into what you and the lane painters think might only be 3. As well there are zillions of motorscooters and motorcycles weaving their way about traffic. <BR> <BR>Driving in Rome, certainly is not especially fun. Add, there, to the above, the fact that many streets are one way, and not shown as such on the map, and many streets in central city are barred to all traffic except buses and cabs (so don't tailgate too closely without seeing where you're going. <BR> <BR>On two lane roads outside the city I find many Italian drivers slightly nuts. They think nothing of passing going up a blind hill or in other dangerous places. <BR> <BR>To Germans I give much credit for driving very well, and, moreover, obeying traffic laws. As to Italians, and Spaniards for that matter, I suggest there's more than a bit of recklessness in their road behavior which has nothing to do with driving skill. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

traveler

Yes! Driving in Italy is very dangerous but also a lot of fun, especially in Naples. Stoplights and signs are mere suggestions, and the concept of a "lane" is nonexistent. It's not for the feint of heart. <BR> <BR>Buon Viaggio

traveler

Oops! Make that "faint" of heart.

Felix

Thanks Ed and Traveler. Rex, is thinking of a different Italy. I'm referring to the country in Europe. <BR> <BR>Please keep the suggestions coming folks. I'm probably going to avoid Rome. More concerned about Milan,Florence and Venice. <BR> <BR>

Rex

Felix, <BR> <BR>The Italy to which I refer is the one in which I have done a lot of driving. <BR> <BR>Your decision not to drive in Rome is a wise one. Now add Milan and Florence to your list and you will be in good shape. <BR> <BR>That leaves you with Venice. I think in Kennebunkport, Maine there's a guy who offers lessons in maneuvering a cigarette boat, if you need to brush on your skills behind the wheel for La Serenissima. George something. Jumps out of airplanes. Knows a few war stories too.

Ada

NO!!!! It is not dangerous at all. <BR>We drove all over Italy, they are good drivers, the roads are good, and the big cities like any big city in the world are jammed and the parking is difficult. <BR>Ada

Mike

Rex. Please forward name of fellow in Maine. <BR> <BR>Mike, good advice here. DO be careful when driving in the cities. There are definitely some maniacs. Just be cautious and you will be fine. <BR> <BR>Mike

driver

Even though some a maniacs and may be driving dengerously, but at least they can drive. Here in the states we have 4 lines on the Highway and still do not know which line is used for what purpose. Do you like driving in New York? If you do then you should be OK

Rex

Nod godda do it. <BR> <BR>Wooden be prudent.

Gail

Do you need an international drivers license?

russ

Felix, <BR> <BR>Having recently returned from 2 years in Italy, I can tell you what my experience was during the 2 dozen or so times that I rented a car. <BR> <BR>DON’T rent a car for Milan, Florence, Venice, Rome, Naples or other big cities. You don’t need a car for these cities, and (with the obvious exception of Venice) driving in these cities is not my idea of fun. Someone mentioned driving in NY, which is a good comparison, but add to that a Byzantine layout of one-way streets with no sidwalks; pedestrian-only areas; and roads the width of a large piece of luggage (see thread on carry-on luggage.) In addition to the frustration, you will renting and parking your car, only to leave it sitting for the duration of your stay in each city. <BR> <BR>DO rent a car for driving through rural areas: Driving the small back roads through Tuscany is a real pleasure - even Siena is not inconvenient, as it has many garages on the perimeter of town; also the hill towns of Umbria (although you can easily do Orvieto and Arezzo by train from Rome to Florence); the wine/food town towns of Piemonte (Asti, Alba); and the wonderful cities and villages of the Veneto (Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo); etc. <BR> <BR>If your plan is to do the Milan, Florence, Venice route by train, you can easily add Parma, Modena, Bologna, Mantova (a favorite of mine), Verona, Vicenza, Ferrara, or Padova along the route that connects your three major stops. If you plan on exploring Tuscany, you can rent a car in Florence and return it there and continue by train. <BR> <BR>If you decide to drive this route, I would not be too concerned about danger. I never felt threatened on the Autostrada, just stay in the right hand lane, except to pass, and you will be fine (I would not rent a 4-cylinder car, as you do want rapid acceleration when you are getting on.) The only time driving seemed dangerous was in the area around and to the south of Naples. This is the only time I have seen someone passing on a 2-lane highway while there was oncoming traffic, forcing the oncoming traffic on to the shoulder. That was pretty frightening. <BR> <BR>Anyway, have fun and let us know how you do. <BR>

celeste

We rented a car in Italy with pick-up from Florence and drove to Tuscany and Umbria;returned to Orvieto. It was not that hard and we find Italian drivers to be skilled although a few times, i just closed my eyes and prayed (especially inside a dimly lighted 2-way tunnel, where you see drivers changing lane and ignoring the yellow divider). Because we decided to see as much places as possible in Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello and Positano, we had a driver + plus car. It was well worth. FYI - there are 1,200 twists on a 30-mile Amalfi coast road.

BG

I look forward to driving in Italy each year. My favorite is an Alfa Romeo 156, available at most all rental companies. Roomy, quick and great at high speds as well as hilly roads. Italian drivers are, indeed, very skilled but all think they are on I95 and late for an appointment. If you can drive in New York or South Florida (same thing!) you should have no trouble in Italy. Just remember a couple things. They tend to cut back in too soon when passing on the Autostrada and they tailgate everywhere. <BR>But their cars are smaller, better in most respects than American cars and handle much better as well. In the cities, large or small, street signs are usually on the sides of buildings at the corners and very hard to see. Also, major streets change names frequently. Go figure! Country and small towns are fun. Huge cities are a pain in the gas! Enjoy.

tom

We just got back from Italy and felt very comfortable on the "freeways" but hated driving in Florence and Rome. There isn't the same consistancy in signage and street names as there is in the US. So, you probably will get confused. Plus, the problems mentioned with the scooters and cars is stressful. There really isn't a need to drive in most towns anyway. We rented a car after our stay in Venice, garaged it in Florence and then returned it as soon as we got to Rome. We did drive in Siena and some other towns. I definitely would still drive from town to town for all the reasons you can think of, but I would just be prepared for some "action" in town.

Paul

We drive in Italy every year - no problem. The Italians are very skillful drivers, but they do drive faster than we in the US do. When you're on the road, you need to know their "rules of the road". Stay right, except to pass. If you're in the left lane, keep your eyes on the rear view mirror, and if you see someone behind you flashing their lights, move to the right lane quickly, as this is the signal that you're going to be overtaken. If you're passing multiple cars, use your turn signal to signal a left as you pass - this shows the guy behind you what your intentions are. <BR> <BR>The Italians also follow you closer than we do in most of the States. Don't let this unnerve you. They also drive faster than we do on unlit, curvy roads. Just move towards the right on a straight section, and they'll pass you. <BR> <BR>Familiarize yourself with the International Road Signs (check with your auto club). These are in use all over Italy. <BR> <BR>Lastly, I have to say that, contrary to most folks' opinions, I actually ENJOY driving in Rome!! Of course, I should add that I live in Boston, which I consider practice for Italy..... <BR> <BR>Happy driving!!

raina

Ever throw your arms in the air and pray you'll make it through the next 10 minutes on the death defying rollercoaster ride at Six Flags - that's driving in Italy. <BR>You have to be very alert, because you are not only dealing with other cars but motorcycles and scooters which weave in out between cars. Also parking is very difficult in the city and driving in the city is often forbidden (between 8am-6pm) without a permit.