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Itinerary help- Florence to Rome with a stop in a country spot?

Itinerary help- Florence to Rome with a stop in a country spot?

Old Sep 1st, 2013, 12:03 PM
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Itinerary help- Florence to Rome with a stop in a country spot?

Hi, we are traveling from Florence to Rome and flying out of FCO. We thought that rather than just take the train, we could rent a car and make an adventure out of it.

We plan to leave Florence in the morning, drive somewhere, spend the afternoon and night, and then drive to Rome (staying near the airport) in the afternoon.

We like to wander small towns by foot, find casual food, window shop, see basic sights and head to bed early. We don't want to deal with overly complicated parking if we can avoid it, and would like to see a place more in the countryside.

I have looked into Orvieto but I am wondering what other people think.

Also, we have a 4 year old daughter- she is very well behaved but we are not looking to spend the day in a serious museum or wine tasting!

Thanks!
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Old Sep 1st, 2013, 02:39 PM
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Orvieto ain't no small town - Montepulciano is much smaller of a hill town if you are looking for a smallish town. I love Orvieto because it has loads to see and do and lots of ancient streets to wander - but you can get to Orvieto by train - if you want to wander around the Tuscany countryise Montepuylciano and its vicinity has lots of small hill town gems you could stop in for an hour or two and still end up in Orvieto, if possible returning your car there and taking the train from there to Rome.
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Old Sep 1st, 2013, 03:24 PM
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Take the train to Orvieto, spent the night there and continue on to FCO by train the next day (it sounds like?)
Fabulous town, the funicular will be fun for your daughter and the cathedral is spectacular.
Renting a car for one day, plus gas, will be expensive. Then you've got to worry about signs, maps, gps, etc.
Hop on the train, enjoy the scenery and save some stress.
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Old Sep 1st, 2013, 03:26 PM
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Take the train to Orvieto, spent the night there and continue on to FCO by train the next day (it sounds like?)
Fabulous town, the funicular will be fun for your daughter and the cathedral is spectacular.
Renting a car for one day, plus gas, will be expensive. Then you've got to worry about signs, maps, gps, etc.
Hop on the train, enjoy the scenery and save some stress.
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Old Sep 1st, 2013, 04:44 PM
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It's not clear (to me, anyway) whether your flight from Rome is the next day or you'll be spending a night near the airport.

If you in fact have nearly two days to explore and can arrive Fiumicino at any hour, then I would rent the car, drive through Chianti (SR 222) and spend the first night somewhere like Montepulciano, Pienza, San Quirico, or Montalcino. You could stop at Orvieto for a look the next day on your way to Fiumicino.

But if you're flying out on the second day and therefore absolutely-positively have to be at the airport by a certain time, I'd just train to Orvieto, spend the night, and then train to Fiumicino via Rome.

If you drive, you'll need an International Drivers Permit, maps and/or GPS, and an understanding of ZTLs (Zona a Traffico Limitato) which are areas of nearly every town that you are not allowed to drive into. All of the towns mentioned so far in this thread have a ZTL, including Florence.

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/drivin...s_speeding.htm
Jean is offline  
Old Sep 2nd, 2013, 05:52 AM
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Thanks for the help- we have nearly two days and can arrive at Fiumicino anytime.

I will look into the towns you've suggested and appreciate the advice about the requirements!
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