Venice to Tuscany: Train vs. Car
Apr 7th, 2004, 03:15 PM
#1
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Venice to Tuscany: Train vs. Car
I am trying to decide between the following two options to get from Venice to either Montepulciano or Montalcino (that question will be for a separate post), where my wife and I will be staying for a week and will want to have a car the entire time. Our goal is to arrive in Montepulciano/Montalcino (M/M) by around 5 p.m. so we can check into our lodging, get settled, and find a place for dinner.
1. Take the train from Venice to Florence and pick up the car in Florence. We would likely take the 10:32 a.m. Eurostar that arrives in Florence at 1:21 p.m.; there is an earlier 6:32 a.m. train, but that is too early and we like to relax while we are on vacation. From Florence, we would then drive to M/M. In this scenario, it looks like we could possibly squeeze in either a late lunch in Florence or a quick stop in one of the towns south of Florence that we possibly would not get to as a day trip during the coming week, although given that it looks like the drive from Florence to M/M is about an hour and a half, we would then likely only have about an hour and a half of *free* time.
2. Rent the car in Venice and drive to Montepulciano/Montalcino. In this scenario, we could probably get a bit of an earlier start than if we took the train, which would make it easier to stop somewhere along the way for about 3 hours and lunch, given that it looks like a 3.5-4 hour drive sticking mostly to the highway.
Which option would you recommend and why? Is there a *do not miss* along the way? It would seem that the scenery would be pretty comparable whether we drove or took the train. Also, taking the train seems like it might be more relaxing since I will not have to drive for 4 hours, although transferring our luggage in Florence could be a bit of a hassle.
In making your recommendations, please also consider the following:
1. We will have already experienced the scenery between Venice and Florence from the train, as we will be taking the train from Rome to Venice earlier in our trip.
2. With either scenario we would be returning the car in Florence, and then spending a night there before taking the train back to Rome. Given the kinds of things we like to see/do, I think spending the better part of two days in Florence will be sufficient.
3. Cost is not a factor in the decision.
4. I am not afraid of driving in Italy.
Thanks!
1. Take the train from Venice to Florence and pick up the car in Florence. We would likely take the 10:32 a.m. Eurostar that arrives in Florence at 1:21 p.m.; there is an earlier 6:32 a.m. train, but that is too early and we like to relax while we are on vacation. From Florence, we would then drive to M/M. In this scenario, it looks like we could possibly squeeze in either a late lunch in Florence or a quick stop in one of the towns south of Florence that we possibly would not get to as a day trip during the coming week, although given that it looks like the drive from Florence to M/M is about an hour and a half, we would then likely only have about an hour and a half of *free* time.
2. Rent the car in Venice and drive to Montepulciano/Montalcino. In this scenario, we could probably get a bit of an earlier start than if we took the train, which would make it easier to stop somewhere along the way for about 3 hours and lunch, given that it looks like a 3.5-4 hour drive sticking mostly to the highway.
Which option would you recommend and why? Is there a *do not miss* along the way? It would seem that the scenery would be pretty comparable whether we drove or took the train. Also, taking the train seems like it might be more relaxing since I will not have to drive for 4 hours, although transferring our luggage in Florence could be a bit of a hassle.
In making your recommendations, please also consider the following:
1. We will have already experienced the scenery between Venice and Florence from the train, as we will be taking the train from Rome to Venice earlier in our trip.
2. With either scenario we would be returning the car in Florence, and then spending a night there before taking the train back to Rome. Given the kinds of things we like to see/do, I think spending the better part of two days in Florence will be sufficient.
3. Cost is not a factor in the decision.
4. I am not afraid of driving in Italy.
Thanks!
Apr 8th, 2004, 07:59 PM
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We had such a lovely trip on the train from Venice to Florence that I'm prejudiced. In addition to being more relaxing than driving, trains provide an excellent opportunity to visit with other travelers - sometimes tourists, and sometimes locals.
We do a lot of driving on our trips, but only to areas where a car lets us see things we couldn't see as easily by train.
We do a lot of driving on our trips, but only to areas where a car lets us see things we couldn't see as easily by train.
Apr 9th, 2004, 05:21 AM
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Hi there, I would definitely vote for driving. I have done both, the first time we were in Italy we took the train everywhere and from then on we have always driven ourselves. I love the freedom of driving, and the pleasure of being able to stop anywhere, I also find it much quicker. I use a fab car rental company from the UK, there are no minimum days and I find them very reasonable. I am paying UK pounds 182 for 4 days - pick up in Florence, drop off in Milan. 4 door automatic - Hertz. sdsa travel services UK +44 (0)870 758 9903 - Email: [email protected], but look up their website. I have now driven all over Italy and next time will be my 3rd time driving from San Gimingano to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre, a drive most posters have advised not to do. But its actually a very easy and spectacular drive. Have a wonderful vacation.
Apr 9th, 2004, 03:02 PM
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OH MY GOSH!!! You asked the exact question I wanted to ask.. We were trying to debate also if we should drive or take the train.
From Tuscany area we will be driving to the Foggia Area to visit Family and then on to Naples and drop the car off and have a driver ( Marcello Maresca, See Sorrento.com) to take us to Positano.
From all the recommendations from here we will be staying at the Villa Rosa in Positano.. Thanks to all the guys that recommended it .
Frank and Val
From Tuscany area we will be driving to the Foggia Area to visit Family and then on to Naples and drop the car off and have a driver ( Marcello Maresca, See Sorrento.com) to take us to Positano.
From all the recommendations from here we will be staying at the Villa Rosa in Positano.. Thanks to all the guys that recommended it .
Frank and Val
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