Hi there,

I need to book a car from Padua on July 22, until July 28, possibly returning it to Verona. Does anyone have recommendations of the best company or, more importantly, on whether there are any to avoid?

Thanks,
RT

If you book through Autoeurope.com, it will be Avis. The cost will be higher dropping the car in Verona, rather than back in Padova, so keep in mind that the train ride between the two cities is an hour or less and the fare is cheap (9 euros).

You could book directly with Hertz, but you should check the precise pick-up and drop-off locations as they may not be as convenient to your plans as the Avis offices. If you're a AAA member, check to see if they are still offering a discount on Hertz rentals in Europe. We saved about $40 last fall on a Verona-Bologna rental.

Booking through Kemwel.com will also be Avis.

Thanks Jean. We are most likely going to head up to the Dolomites after picking up the car and thought we would maybe spend a night or two in Verona/Lago di Garda after four nights in Dolomites (or maybe we will do most of the time in Dolomites ... not sure yet), and then we need to jump on a train to get to Rome. I guess we can still do that from Padua!

I too suggest Kemwel.com for best rates and coverage.

Don't underestimate how much you want to see in the Dolomites and how long that will take.

Thanks bobthenavigator. That site looks good. I have read some things on here about tourists getting charged extra than what they thought by some Italian arms of car hire companies. Is there anything I need to be mindful of?
I'm sure I will love the Dolomites Jean. We are thinking of heading between Cortina d'Ampezzo and Bolzano, perhaps near Ortisei. We would love to see either Lake Como or Gardo too but I can't do it all unfortunately! And we do have a lot of water views in our trip (San Sebastián, Antibes and Monterosso) so I am sure I will be happy for some time in the mountains too as I love them!

Take photographs of all four sides of the car before you accept it. Use the maximum resolution that your camera allows. This is your record of the condition of the car when you received it.

RT2015, it's all amazing, but my favorite view was from the top of Passo Giau.