Just the facts, please.
Are your flights booked? What dates? Why Rome on both ends?

Do you really plan to drive 4 hours plus after an all nite flight---if so, bad idea.

You say " Venice as our last destination"--does that mean you are flying home from there.

Just the facts---then we can help.

okay, just the facts. We fly in and out of Rome...it was the most affordable option. we arrive at 9 am on 6/22 and depart on 7/3 at 10 am. yes, the plan is to grab a rental van upon arrival and drive up to either san quirico or mantepulciano...this is just what we came up with. from there we are planning to head to the cinque terre. from there, we are trying to decide whether to go to Lake Como area and back to Rome or go to Venice and back to Rome. we don't mind driving...we actually enjoy it and make it a part of our journey. thanks Bob.

If you wanted to stay in lodging inside the historical center of Montepulciano, I'm not sure you'd be able to drive the van into the town, even with a guest pass to enter the limited traffic zone. Or, rather, it might be a challenge to drive OUT. I'm not sure the road we were instructed to use would accommodate a long wheelbase vehicle. Narrow road/archway, followed by a turn. But you could ask a hotel about that, as I'm sure they've seen all manner of vehicles in town.

Here are some photos:

http://www.naviquan.com/html/img/000...lciano_23b.jpg [one-way street heading out of town through the archway]

http://www.the-travel-italy-grapevin...tepulciano.jpg [looking back after driving through the archway]

San Quirico is essentially flat, and I'm quite sure it also has a limited traffic zone. If you decide to stay in SQ, check with your lodging about the process for checking in.

If I had to choose between Montepulciano and SQ, I'd pick Montepulciano.

I won't get into the Lake Como v. Venice debate. Each destination has its fans. I'll just say I wouldn't go to Venice in high season, but I also wouldn't want to drive to mid-Lake Como on a summer weekend.

It is still a bad idea to get on the road after an overnight flight, particularly if you are flying more than 9 hours to get to Rome.

Bobthenavigator knows more about driving in Italy than anyone on this forum, and if he says it is a bad idea, it is. Dealing with a toll road with strange procedures in a strange language with a strange currency is not to be taken lightly.

It is probably too late to do Rome at the beginning of you trip, but it would have been a good idea.

Hi,

For reasons of logistics alone, I would probably opt for going to Venice. Go there immediately by train upon landing in Rome rather than driving to Montepuliciano jet lagged You can all snooze on the train, and since only one of the couples is really keen on Venice, the rest of you can have a no-pressure stay strolling around there, getting over your jet lag.

Once rested, I would rent a van out of Venice and drive to Lago di Como if you have time, and then drive to Lerici, then Montepulciano, Drop off the car in Chiusi or Orvieot and head into Rome by train for the final days of the trip.

If you all ultimately decide Lago di Como is more your group's desire than Venice, any chance you can talk your crowd into spending your first night on Lago Bracciano just to get some sleep? It's a 50 minute drive from FCO airport. I would recommend staying in the lovely antique town of Anguillara Sabazia on the shores of the lake.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g...Vacations.html

Next day, drive the 2 hours to Montepulciano. After that, drive to Lerici, and then to Lago di Como. I would drop off the van at Milan's Linate airport, take the 30'min airport bus to Milan Centrale station and take the fast train to Rome for the final leg of your trip.

"Bobthenavigator knows more about driving in Italy than anyone on this forum"

I have read a lot of his posts and think he is overly nervous about driving to many destinations in Italy, and underestimates many people who enjoy driving period, and is also too ready to recommend destinations that he thinks are parking friendly over destinations with better content that require more effort.

In general, I think it is a mistake to set up people as all-purpose authorities whose instructions should be blindly followed when it comes to travel, although I do recognze that some people are looking for that and some people are looking to be nominated for that kind of role.

Stevewith, I note that you are a very new member of the forum. Many of us have been following Bob's advice for years and after 8 trips to Italy, it rings true every time. I don't like to criticize my fellow FOdorites for their advice, especially when they have a great record of being helpful to all of us. So I will go back to offering constructive advice where I think I have some to offer.

My my---I did not want to create any conflict here.

For the record, we almost always drive in Italy and find it more convenient. The exceptions are in major cities--especially Florence. My concern about driving to Tuscany from FCO is one of safety, but I do not sleep well on flights. It all depends on the drivers abiliity to drive with little sleep.

As for which location, Jean was on the right track and we have stayed in both locations---Montepulciano for a week just 2 years ago. But, it is a town of 12,000 people and is not easy for driving or for walking. It is quite vertical and a real test for your legs. I would not try it in a large van---which you will need for a group of 6.

San Quirico is small, flat village of about 1500 people which is car free---you park around the town perimeter and walk to your hotel/B&B---typically no more than 200 meters. It is our favorite LOCATION in south Tuscany because of proximity to the entire area---from Montalcino to Montepulciano and even Siena. It has 2 good places to eat, but there are 5 more within a radius of 15 miles.

Steve, I totally agree that no one should be set up as an all purpose experts---ala Rick Steves. But, I do feel somewhat qualified to comment on Tuscany, and especially for the senior set. I am 76 now and have enjoyed 17 trips to Italia, but have also planned customized itineraries for almost 300 clients to Italy and beyond. I have made many mistakes in that time but have hopefully learned from them. I have been posting here for almost 17 years now and do have a track record. You seem quite knowledgable and are a welcome addition to this forum. I am sure you can establish your own record if you stick around long enough to gain credibility.
I surely hope that you do.

If you decide to go to Venice, wouldn't it be better to drop off the van there and train to Rome (your departure point)? Especially since you won't need a vehicle in either place.

Oldschool, Here are some pics from our 2011 trip that includes Lerici, Portovenere, Montepulcano, and San Quirico:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4553

I am in the middle of planning our trip to Italy and am somewhat overwhelmed by the many things to see and do. We will be comming from the Lake Constance area in Germany on the 4th of June plan on driving down through St Gallen, Lichtenstein to the Lake Como Area where we are thinking of staying for a few nights. From there it gets confusing as we would like to see Cinque Terre, Tuscany and Venice before driving back to Munich on June 17. Is this enough time to do all that I have mentioned? Any timelines, routes and suggestions would be much appreciated. Also we are flexible with the car vs train out of Germany and could fly out of Venice. We love small simple accommodation and are wondering if we should prebook all our hotels or if we can find once we arrive? Thanks for any advice!

To the OP, I like stevewith's suggestion of going directly to Venice upon arrival in Rome, and then working your way back. I'd pick Venice because it's in danger of sinking and you don't know how long you'll be able to visit there. And sightseeing in Venice makes an easy introduction to Italy; no cars, trucks, vespas to deal with. Disclaimer: I love Venice; it's fantastically, magically beautiful.

To iriname, why don't you start your own thread? Click on "Start a new topic" in red at the top left of this page.

Thanks Mimar!!! Just new to this! Thread started!

Hmmm!
I am curious---Stevewith, do you happen to live in Italy?
That may account for your strong opinions.

nothing like a little spirited discussion:)....i appreicate the input from all of you. i am back at the drawing board. quick couple of questions...how long is the train ride to Venice? and do you pick up the train at FCO?

and bob, thanks for the great photos! and steve, the lake bracciano idea is a great option for lodging close to FCO to relax the first day. sitting on the deck having dinner and some wine overlooking the lake the first night does sound charming.

Rome to Venice trains leave hourly from Stazione Termini, Rome's main station. The trip takes 3 hours 40 minutes. To get to the Stazione Termini from the airport, take another train, the Leonardo Express. This train runs twice an hour and takes 30 minutes. You can buy tickets for both legs at the airport train office.

When you're ready to leave Venice, pick up a car/van at the Piazzale Roma, on the edge of Venice.

Bob, enjoyed the photos; we have been to several of those places and they brought back pleasant memories. Thanks!

Prego !

bob, nicely said.