jim and camille

everyone has been kind in forwarding web sites for renting a car in italy. we are looking for answers to specific questions.<BR><BR>we would like to rent a car at rome's airport on september 2 and drive it to sorrento...4 days later we would drive to florence and 4 days later drop the car off in venice. <BR><BR>here are our questions:<BR><BR>how do we determine if there is a drop off charge and what would it be? (we would prefer not drop off charge.)<BR><BR>should we avoid driving and simply take the trains? (we expect mixed opinions here)<BR><BR>we have driven through new york city and all over france. i am a pharmaceutical sales rep and am quite used to driving.<BR><BR>any input to these questions or other valueable advice would be appreciated.<BR><BR>thanks,<BR><BR>jim and camille

Diane

We drove around Italy for most of a 3-week vacation last May. It was fabulous. Driving is easy (except Florence is tricky for first-timers, and don't even think about Rome, but you don't seem to be!) There is an extra charge if you pick up/drop off the car at the airport, but we said "So what" (or similar words to that effect) and it turned out to be a very simple in and out experience. Try AutoEurope. We were very pleased with them. Have a lovely trip.

Rex

I think you are virtually assured of no drop charge for this itinerary for AutoEurope, and probably other sources as well. I have customarily recommended comparison shop of www.its-cars-hotels.com or www.kemwel.com or www.travelocity.com<BR><BR>There will be the moderate challenge of driving and partking your vehicle in Florence. Best advice is to try to get a route mapped out to drive towards the train station (Sante Maria Novella) - - best parking is there. Tough call whether to keep the car onward to Venice or just turn it in in Florence.<BR><BR>All four nights IN Florence? then turn it in - - but if exploring out in Tuscany, then keep it and drive onward to Venice perhaps.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

up

up, again...<BR>

geno

stay in otrarno section of florence for ease of parking

tania

If you are Canadian, book car through Alba. No drop-off charges anywhere in Italy.<BR><BR>I think Rex has the right idea, though. If you are planning to stay in the cities, you don't need a car, except for the Rome-Sorrento-Rome segment. No drop-off charges. Take the train to FLorence and then on to Venice. Even if you did want to get out of Florence for a day, tours with CAF tours are so inexpensive, it might be a good alternative to the headaches of driving in and around Florence. We did Siena and San Gimignano for about 38 US, each.<BR><BR>If you insist on driving, I won't say beware because we found Italian drivers to be respectful of each other. They seem to understand that we ALL have a place to go. Their way of doing things seems scary at first but to me was always logical. NO ONE sits in the left-hand lane of the autostrada while going the limit as they do in North America. If they did, they would quickly be rammed by the bullets driving by.<BR><BR>Whatever you decide, enjoy!<BR><BR>Tania<BR><BR>