Nov24-28: Rome to Venice by Car? Suggestions?
Oct 18th, 2012, 09:11 AM
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Nov24-28: Rome to Venice by Car? Suggestions?
Hi everyone,
My wife and I just booked flights for a last minute Euro trip during thanksgiving. This is what we have so far:
DFW -CDG-FCO 22nd Afternoon
VCE-CDG 29th Noon
CDG-DFW-Dec2 Morning
We plan on staying in Rome for 2 nights, get a rental early 24th and drive to Venice over 4 nights. On the way there, we hope to stop along the eastern coast, turning back to Florence, then to Pisa, up to Trento area then down to Venice. All in an S pattern.
A sample of our current plan:
http://goo.gl/maps/dDTSS
It does seem too much over 4 days. I think we will need to trim it down. Must sees would include Florence/Tuscany, La Spezia(along with the towns along the cliff/coast), Parts of northern italy yet to be determined(wife's grand parents are from there, will need to visit area once determined where exactly, assuming Trento/Verona region.
Since this is pretty much Fall/Winter season, and we are looking for a scenic country drive, any suggestions for must see cities/towns or more importantly drives(particular roads, paths etc?). Please do keep in mind the weather.
This trip is totally flexible with the exception of time. Please let us know any of your experiences, suggestions and comments. Thanks everyone!
My wife and I just booked flights for a last minute Euro trip during thanksgiving. This is what we have so far:
DFW -CDG-FCO 22nd Afternoon
VCE-CDG 29th Noon
CDG-DFW-Dec2 Morning
We plan on staying in Rome for 2 nights, get a rental early 24th and drive to Venice over 4 nights. On the way there, we hope to stop along the eastern coast, turning back to Florence, then to Pisa, up to Trento area then down to Venice. All in an S pattern.
A sample of our current plan:
http://goo.gl/maps/dDTSS
It does seem too much over 4 days. I think we will need to trim it down. Must sees would include Florence/Tuscany, La Spezia(along with the towns along the cliff/coast), Parts of northern italy yet to be determined(wife's grand parents are from there, will need to visit area once determined where exactly, assuming Trento/Verona region.
Since this is pretty much Fall/Winter season, and we are looking for a scenic country drive, any suggestions for must see cities/towns or more importantly drives(particular roads, paths etc?). Please do keep in mind the weather.
This trip is totally flexible with the exception of time. Please let us know any of your experiences, suggestions and comments. Thanks everyone!
Oct 18th, 2012, 10:31 AM
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The eaastern coast makes no sense in that scenario.
I would train to Florence and get the car there as you leave. Then, to Tuscany and the Ligurian coast, with Verona as your last stop. That is a full plate.
I would train to Florence and get the car there as you leave. Then, to Tuscany and the Ligurian coast, with Verona as your last stop. That is a full plate.
Oct 18th, 2012, 10:38 AM
#4
IMO, too much.
I would skip the Cinque Terre entirely and plan to see it on another trip when good weather is more probable and you have more time.
Tuscany is 9000 square miles, so you need to reduce your thinking dramatically. For example, just Rome to Pisa is nearly 4 hours of driving without any stops.
Have you been to Florence before?
What is the order of your priorities (i.e., what is most important): Tuscan countryside, Florence, Trento/Verona?
Something to keep in mind as you consider your options: Sunrise will be after 7:30a and sunset will be around 4:45p. Since I prefer to drive in daylight, those would be short days for me.
I would skip the Cinque Terre entirely and plan to see it on another trip when good weather is more probable and you have more time.
Tuscany is 9000 square miles, so you need to reduce your thinking dramatically. For example, just Rome to Pisa is nearly 4 hours of driving without any stops.
Have you been to Florence before?
What is the order of your priorities (i.e., what is most important): Tuscan countryside, Florence, Trento/Verona?
Something to keep in mind as you consider your options: Sunrise will be after 7:30a and sunset will be around 4:45p. Since I prefer to drive in daylight, those would be short days for me.
Oct 18th, 2012, 11:30 AM
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Definitely drop the eastern coast - it is not a scenic highway - it is an autoroute where you go through lots of tunnels and the towns are basically by-passed. You can stop in the towns but they are not beach towns where you can walk along the sand. Most beaches are privately owned and are covered fully in beach umbrellas and loungers that you have to pay for and literally cover every inch of sand. And as you are going at the end of Nov they are likely to all be closed. This is not a good use of your time.
Oct 18th, 2012, 11:34 AM
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I meant to add - you cant even really walk along the beach and see the ocean because the beach front is covered with these private beaches, so even trying to find a nice place to have lunch overlooking the water is a challenge.
Definitely not a scenic rustic beach kind of place, and not a place to go in Nov!
Definitely not a scenic rustic beach kind of place, and not a place to go in Nov!
Oct 18th, 2012, 12:57 PM
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I agree on the eastern coast being a waste. I much prefer to see the rolling hills across Tuscany. But does it still make sense with the weather? I'm curious as to what it would look like?
End point has to be Venice as that is where fly to CDG. Starting point has to be Rome. I personally dont mind doing all the driving (coming from Canada/US, used to long drives).
I will take a look at the option of taking a train to Florence. our hotel in Rome is right next to the Train station (Radisson Blu). Still to find Florence hotel but should be no issue. I would like to take in Cinque Terre just even if it was just a drive by and it's close to Pisa at least for a quick stop.
If I take the train to Florence am I missing anything between Florence and Rome?
End point has to be Venice as that is where fly to CDG. Starting point has to be Rome. I personally dont mind doing all the driving (coming from Canada/US, used to long drives).
I will take a look at the option of taking a train to Florence. our hotel in Rome is right next to the Train station (Radisson Blu). Still to find Florence hotel but should be no issue. I would like to take in Cinque Terre just even if it was just a drive by and it's close to Pisa at least for a quick stop.
If I take the train to Florence am I missing anything between Florence and Rome?
Oct 18th, 2012, 01:01 PM
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@ Jean,
Order of important, Scenic drive, hopefully including Northern Italy(Trento/Verona), Tuscany, Cinque Terre/sea side.
I have been to Florence, Rome, Venice and I just think she should see it too.
My biggest concern right now is weather and how everything will look. Accounting or imagining the early sunset is hard enough.
If Tuscan rolling hills are not pretty or even close to looking good at around end of November, then we would cut that down.
I personally would like to cut my current map route down to half(hopefully all of the eastern coast out).
Order of important, Scenic drive, hopefully including Northern Italy(Trento/Verona), Tuscany, Cinque Terre/sea side.
I have been to Florence, Rome, Venice and I just think she should see it too.
My biggest concern right now is weather and how everything will look. Accounting or imagining the early sunset is hard enough.
If Tuscan rolling hills are not pretty or even close to looking good at around end of November, then we would cut that down.
I personally would like to cut my current map route down to half(hopefully all of the eastern coast out).
Oct 18th, 2012, 01:05 PM
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How many days/nights do you actually have? Looks like you land on 22 Nov and will land on 23 Nov, so partial day, then have 4 full days to do all that?
Based on what I can tell above - do you plan to do nothing but drive around? Do you plan to stop to actually spend time in any of these places? The fastest routes on the autoroutes in Italy are not exactly scenic drives, the country roads are scenic but will take MUCH longer to get anywhere.
With 4 days you are trying to cover way too much territory. I would stick to Rome, train to Venice and thats it!
Based on what I can tell above - do you plan to do nothing but drive around? Do you plan to stop to actually spend time in any of these places? The fastest routes on the autoroutes in Italy are not exactly scenic drives, the country roads are scenic but will take MUCH longer to get anywhere.
With 4 days you are trying to cover way too much territory. I would stick to Rome, train to Venice and thats it!
Oct 18th, 2012, 01:39 PM
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flying out 21st eve, arriving in Rome 2pmish on 22nd. staying in Rome for 2 days, head to Florence early 24th and stay there overnight.
Then it's driving from Florence to Venice in 3 days. If direct, thats like 250km = 2.5hrs. Obviously I want to do some detours. Map might look big but distance isnt really that bad.
You are right, I would prefer to take the smaller country roads vs the tollways. In the end, I might have to skip La Spezia even though its 1.5hrs straight shot.
So now I'm down to 3 Hopes:
1) Some part of Northern Italy yet to be determined(via wife)
2) Tuscany
3) La Spezia
In that order all within 72hrs arriving back in Venice
Then it's driving from Florence to Venice in 3 days. If direct, thats like 250km = 2.5hrs. Obviously I want to do some detours. Map might look big but distance isnt really that bad.
You are right, I would prefer to take the smaller country roads vs the tollways. In the end, I might have to skip La Spezia even though its 1.5hrs straight shot.
So now I'm down to 3 Hopes:
1) Some part of Northern Italy yet to be determined(via wife)
2) Tuscany
3) La Spezia
In that order all within 72hrs arriving back in Venice
Oct 18th, 2012, 03:01 PM
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Does your wife enjoy being in the car? Unless that is her thing, I would re-think the trip.
You really have only one full day in Rome - arriving late 22nd (by time you check into hotel, etc.) and departing early 24th, you have only 23rd - one day - not two. I would spend at least one more day in Rome, one or two in Florence and rest in Venice.
In Nov, days are shorter and it can be quite cool (and rainy), so it is nice to be places where things are open and you can pop into cafes, etc. for hot food and drinks. If you got bored in Venice, you could day trip to Padua or Vicenza. If you get bored with Florence, you can day trip to Pisa & Lucca or Siena. You could do all of this very easily by train.
I personally don't think the countryside is so pretty by late Nov to be worth so much driving.
You really have only one full day in Rome - arriving late 22nd (by time you check into hotel, etc.) and departing early 24th, you have only 23rd - one day - not two. I would spend at least one more day in Rome, one or two in Florence and rest in Venice.
In Nov, days are shorter and it can be quite cool (and rainy), so it is nice to be places where things are open and you can pop into cafes, etc. for hot food and drinks. If you got bored in Venice, you could day trip to Padua or Vicenza. If you get bored with Florence, you can day trip to Pisa & Lucca or Siena. You could do all of this very easily by train.
I personally don't think the countryside is so pretty by late Nov to be worth so much driving.
Oct 18th, 2012, 03:12 PM
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Rome, Florence and Venice aren't really driver-friendly (Venice absolutely car-useless). All are walkable, taxis or public transit are a feasible option. Florence has a restricted downtown driving area where you'll probably end up parking outside and walking a mile into the museum district anyway. Even Cinque Terra during good weather you'd want to either hike, bike or take the little train, not drive. All three cities have many days of basic stuff to see with no driving useful. I'd consider ONLY getting a car if you want to visit small Tuscan hill towns like San Gimignano or see wineries off the beaten track, or visit a small town to track down family history (much of which you should pre-research online at ancestry.com before the trip to make your limited time more useful). Spend your time in the cities that time of year, you'll be indoors a lot. Go take a day on the water taxis to see Murano or Burano or Torcelli while you're in Venice. Museum-hopping will fill your Florence time, and maybe a walking tour in Rome would answer some questions about the history. I think (as others have) you're assuming scenic rambling drives, and this isn't the time of year or place for them (except maybe Tuscany).
Oct 18th, 2012, 06:43 PM
#15
You've mentioned La Spezia as a destination a few times, but isn't it the Cinque Terre you want to see? La Spezia is not in the CT, and you need to add time to drive farther or park and train to one of the towns. There is no road that runs along the water's edge from La Spezia to/through the CT. I'd say it's a minimum of 2 hours from Florence to somewhere on the CT.
"Map might look big but distance isn't really that bad." Well, distances may not be that bad, but driving times will be longer than you think. If you're serious about avoid highways/tollroads, you need to choose that option when searching driving times on maps.google or viamichelin.
Whether you go to Verona or Trento makes a big difference. Trento is at least an hour farther north, so it would add more than 2 hours to the overall driving time.
"Map might look big but distance isn't really that bad." Well, distances may not be that bad, but driving times will be longer than you think. If you're serious about avoid highways/tollroads, you need to choose that option when searching driving times on maps.google or viamichelin.
Whether you go to Verona or Trento makes a big difference. Trento is at least an hour farther north, so it would add more than 2 hours to the overall driving time.
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