Car rental in Italy,again--using Italian AE site ok for US resident?
Mar 12th, 2009, 07:09 AM
#21
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Hi,
I have a 4 door Alfa Romeo 147 standard shift diesel with Air booked for 7 days pick up in city center of rome drop off Fiumicino. I got the basic rental w/ insuarnce and theft protection from Autoeurope for 419.52 pre paid.
I guess i need to check and see if that is all i should expect to pay. i just assumed i was fully insured and there is no other fees?
I have a 4 door Alfa Romeo 147 standard shift diesel with Air booked for 7 days pick up in city center of rome drop off Fiumicino. I got the basic rental w/ insuarnce and theft protection from Autoeurope for 419.52 pre paid.
I guess i need to check and see if that is all i should expect to pay. i just assumed i was fully insured and there is no other fees?
Mar 12th, 2009, 07:55 AM
#23
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I've checked the German version of AE (THAT at least I can read), and IMO the insurance coverage varies by the actual rental car company that is behind each AE quote, respectively.
There seem to be three possible schemes:
1. Basic LDW/CDW only. Deductibles apply.
2. LDW/CDW with zero deductible
3. Basic LDW/CDW with deductibles, but reimbursement of deductible (in case of accident/theft)
So you may see two offers for the Mercedes A-class, one with insurance according to #1, the other according to #3. The rental price may not differ too much (the €20 you mentioned) because those are in fact two different rental car companies who are behind those offers.
The quote you got for the A class is quite competitive (assuming that it is CDAR category). It's actually €60 more expensive to rent a CDAR category car with zero deductible via the German website of AE.
There seem to be three possible schemes:
1. Basic LDW/CDW only. Deductibles apply.
2. LDW/CDW with zero deductible
3. Basic LDW/CDW with deductibles, but reimbursement of deductible (in case of accident/theft)
So you may see two offers for the Mercedes A-class, one with insurance according to #1, the other according to #3. The rental price may not differ too much (the €20 you mentioned) because those are in fact two different rental car companies who are behind those offers.
The quote you got for the A class is quite competitive (assuming that it is CDAR category). It's actually €60 more expensive to rent a CDAR category car with zero deductible via the German website of AE.
Mar 12th, 2009, 07:57 AM
#24
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This is from Europcar through Auto Europe is considered a (cdmr)it has an insurance deductible of 300 euros and you pay a 3 euro per day road tax with a prepaid rate of 419.52 for 7 days the car is a Alfa Romeo 147 its about 6 cars from the cheapest which is $291 . So i guess i'm paying too much huh? What size car are you looking at for $559 and does that include insurance and airport fees etc for 7 days?.
Mar 12th, 2009, 09:36 AM
#25
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Nolan:
The categories differ according to the country where the site is listed. For example, the Mercedes A-class 180 that I looked at (in the least expensive category of automatics) is called a compact on some AE sites and a mid-size on others!
Maybe the Alfa is a higher, more expensive category than this Mercedes I am looking at.
We don't care about category or type of car; I want the cheapest automatic because the larger ones are too big; we once had some kind of Chrysler in Spain and it was a horror tryi8ng to navigate the little twists and turns of the city streets!
The price I found looks as if it includes everything.
Why don't you take a look at the Kemwell site and also take a look at Autoeurope.it. Let me know what you find..we can compare notes and find the absolutely BEST option!
The categories differ according to the country where the site is listed. For example, the Mercedes A-class 180 that I looked at (in the least expensive category of automatics) is called a compact on some AE sites and a mid-size on others!
Maybe the Alfa is a higher, more expensive category than this Mercedes I am looking at.
We don't care about category or type of car; I want the cheapest automatic because the larger ones are too big; we once had some kind of Chrysler in Spain and it was a horror tryi8ng to navigate the little twists and turns of the city streets!
The price I found looks as if it includes everything.
Why don't you take a look at the Kemwell site and also take a look at Autoeurope.it. Let me know what you find..we can compare notes and find the absolutely BEST option!
Mar 12th, 2009, 10:39 AM
#26
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EK,
I looked at Kemwel and the Alfa is $377.58 W/ Zero Deductible insurance the Merc A $340.46. The same cars are $515 for the Alfa and $522 for the Merc A class. I have alreay paid for my car at Auto Europe US
I'll have to see if there is a penalty for refund.
I looked at Kemwel and the Alfa is $377.58 W/ Zero Deductible insurance the Merc A $340.46. The same cars are $515 for the Alfa and $522 for the Merc A class. I have alreay paid for my car at Auto Europe US
I'll have to see if there is a penalty for refund.
Mar 12th, 2009, 06:10 PM
#28
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EK,
I called AutoEurope and they matched Kemwel's price at $377.58 and included the no insurance excess giving me the 0 dedctible for a savings of $102 thanks for your guidance. Also do you have any info on the Tour you spoke about at the Vatican in your Rome 2007 log ( Scavi tour)?
I called AutoEurope and they matched Kemwel's price at $377.58 and included the no insurance excess giving me the 0 dedctible for a savings of $102 thanks for your guidance. Also do you have any info on the Tour you spoke about at the Vatican in your Rome 2007 log ( Scavi tour)?
Mar 12th, 2009, 06:51 PM
#29
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Nolan: Many thanks!
I have to look at the AE USA site again because yesterday I saw $656 for the Merc 180! Did you see $522 for that car on their US site? Let me know exactly where you saw this price, please!
Can it be more expensive to rent in Milan than in Rome?
Here is the info for the Scavi tour, including the e-mail address:
http://tinyurl.com/2yb63
I have to look at the AE USA site again because yesterday I saw $656 for the Merc 180! Did you see $522 for that car on their US site? Let me know exactly where you saw this price, please!
Can it be more expensive to rent in Milan than in Rome?
Here is the info for the Scavi tour, including the e-mail address:
http://tinyurl.com/2yb63
Mar 13th, 2009, 05:25 AM
#31
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EK,
I checked Kemwel is $544.74 from both cities and AutoEurope US is $596 from both cities and both of those are 0 deductible on the A180. I'm guessing that the price's are changing as the exchange rate changes my Alfa ended up being $371 including Zero deductible. On Feb 14 when I originally booked it, that same package was $525. Apparantley both Kemwel and AutoEurope will lower there price to match any competitor so as your trip approaches it is worth it to keep aware of the current prices, all it takes is a call to your rental company and they will lower there rate by way of a refund to your Credit card.
A side note: the Zero deductible or no insurance excess as it's called excludes damage to the undercarriage roof and interior of the car, so Zero ain't zero. So they'll be no open containers of red vino in the car and no dancing on the roof
Thanks for the info on Scavi Vatican tour I'll try to book that today.
I checked Kemwel is $544.74 from both cities and AutoEurope US is $596 from both cities and both of those are 0 deductible on the A180. I'm guessing that the price's are changing as the exchange rate changes my Alfa ended up being $371 including Zero deductible. On Feb 14 when I originally booked it, that same package was $525. Apparantley both Kemwel and AutoEurope will lower there price to match any competitor so as your trip approaches it is worth it to keep aware of the current prices, all it takes is a call to your rental company and they will lower there rate by way of a refund to your Credit card.
A side note: the Zero deductible or no insurance excess as it's called excludes damage to the undercarriage roof and interior of the car, so Zero ain't zero. So they'll be no open containers of red vino in the car and no dancing on the roof
Thanks for the info on Scavi Vatican tour I'll try to book that today.
Mar 13th, 2009, 05:36 AM
#32
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Thanks a lot, Nolan! Who knew that the car rental rates were so variable?! LIke flights!
I will look over a period of days and also try to get my AAA discount--if you are an AAA member they will take off a few dollars. Even if you've paid, they can adjust the price, I think.
when are you going and where?
I will look over a period of days and also try to get my AAA discount--if you are an AAA member they will take off a few dollars. Even if you've paid, they can adjust the price, I think.
when are you going and where?
Mar 13th, 2009, 06:09 AM
#33
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This is my second trip to Italy the first time I went to Sicily(Taromina Syracusa Mt Etna etc.)
Crossed the Messina straights into Reggio Callabria flew from there to Rome did the biggies + Tivoli and ate in Rome went to naples, Pompei and took a day trip to Florence and ate dinner one evening in Orvieto.
This trip my wife is coming just the 2 of us and she hasn't been so i thought we would spend 3 days in Rome do the biggies again, she should see theses things. After that on the morning of the 4th day we will pick up a rental car drive to tivoli spend a few hours then motor up to orvieto for linch spend a few hours and then on to Radda where we will stay for the next 3 days. From Radda we will probably see Siena Montalpcino Voltera maybe Assisi and This town that the name escapes where there is an active monastery. As you can tell i still need to do some work on the iteneray. Then we will spend the next 3 days in Lucca where we plan to see Pisa Cinque Terre and Florence along with smelling the rores along the way. The day before our flight we plan to liesurly make our way back to Fuicimino Airport possibly stoping and looking along the way.We have to be at the airport at 8am so we thought we would return the car as late as possible and turn in for the night. Of course the most important part will eating along the way we have made some rough notes and we are refining them hourly. Time is growing short we leave in 7 days. Thanks for your input and I preinted your Rome Log for reading along with IRA's florence to do list.
Anything you can add is accepted with open arms.
Crossed the Messina straights into Reggio Callabria flew from there to Rome did the biggies + Tivoli and ate in Rome went to naples, Pompei and took a day trip to Florence and ate dinner one evening in Orvieto.
This trip my wife is coming just the 2 of us and she hasn't been so i thought we would spend 3 days in Rome do the biggies again, she should see theses things. After that on the morning of the 4th day we will pick up a rental car drive to tivoli spend a few hours then motor up to orvieto for linch spend a few hours and then on to Radda where we will stay for the next 3 days. From Radda we will probably see Siena Montalpcino Voltera maybe Assisi and This town that the name escapes where there is an active monastery. As you can tell i still need to do some work on the iteneray. Then we will spend the next 3 days in Lucca where we plan to see Pisa Cinque Terre and Florence along with smelling the rores along the way. The day before our flight we plan to liesurly make our way back to Fuicimino Airport possibly stoping and looking along the way.We have to be at the airport at 8am so we thought we would return the car as late as possible and turn in for the night. Of course the most important part will eating along the way we have made some rough notes and we are refining them hourly. Time is growing short we leave in 7 days. Thanks for your input and I preinted your Rome Log for reading along with IRA's florence to do list.
Anything you can add is accepted with open arms.
Mar 13th, 2009, 06:32 AM
#34
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OK!! I will give you some food recommendations when you finalize the plan. For the lunch in Orvieto, I recommend this moderately priced trattoria, part of the SlowFood network:
OSTERIA DELL ORSO, about a block from the upper piazza on Via della Misericordia, 18-20. One of the oldest osterie in Orvieto, owned by a congenial pair of guys; traditional Umbrian cuisine (farro,guinea hen, rabbit, great pastas with truffles)
TRATTORIA DELL'ORSO
Osteria
Via della Misericordia 18-20
Tel. 0763 341642
Closed Monday and Tuesday Open: lunch and dinner
Holidays: July
Seating: 60
Prices: 30-33 euros, wine excluded
All major credit cards, Bancomat
The Trattoria dell'Orso is a good example of how there are still places in a tourist city like Orvieto that keep up the standards of traditional cooking. The osteria, managed by the friendly and competent Gabriele Di Giandomenico and Ciro Cristiano, is one of the oldest in the city. In the past, the clientele included country people, farmers and salesmen visiting the city on market days. Now, after appropriate restoration work, the premises have been tastefully decorat ed and decorated with wooden wall sculptures.The kitchen, however, contin ues to serve local dishes that reflect a seasonal use of prime ingredients.
The meal starts with vegetable dishes and mixed crostini, which are followed by excellent homemade tagliatelle, served with mushrooms or truffles -also used to dress other dishes - or with cherry tomatoes and Scamorza. There is also a variety of equally delicious soups, including classic spelt soup. All the main dishes feature some form of meat: from guinea fowi with truffles to rabbit with spices, lamb 'a scottadito' and chicken alla cacciatora. The dish es are always served with a selection of vegetables in season. To round off the meal, we recommend the selection of pastries or various types of puddings.
There's a good wine list, obviously based mainly on Orvieto labels.
OSTERIA DELL ORSO, about a block from the upper piazza on Via della Misericordia, 18-20. One of the oldest osterie in Orvieto, owned by a congenial pair of guys; traditional Umbrian cuisine (farro,guinea hen, rabbit, great pastas with truffles)
TRATTORIA DELL'ORSO
Osteria
Via della Misericordia 18-20
Tel. 0763 341642
Closed Monday and Tuesday Open: lunch and dinner
Holidays: July
Seating: 60
Prices: 30-33 euros, wine excluded
All major credit cards, Bancomat
The Trattoria dell'Orso is a good example of how there are still places in a tourist city like Orvieto that keep up the standards of traditional cooking. The osteria, managed by the friendly and competent Gabriele Di Giandomenico and Ciro Cristiano, is one of the oldest in the city. In the past, the clientele included country people, farmers and salesmen visiting the city on market days. Now, after appropriate restoration work, the premises have been tastefully decorat ed and decorated with wooden wall sculptures.The kitchen, however, contin ues to serve local dishes that reflect a seasonal use of prime ingredients.
The meal starts with vegetable dishes and mixed crostini, which are followed by excellent homemade tagliatelle, served with mushrooms or truffles -also used to dress other dishes - or with cherry tomatoes and Scamorza. There is also a variety of equally delicious soups, including classic spelt soup. All the main dishes feature some form of meat: from guinea fowi with truffles to rabbit with spices, lamb 'a scottadito' and chicken alla cacciatora. The dish es are always served with a selection of vegetables in season. To round off the meal, we recommend the selection of pastries or various types of puddings.
There's a good wine list, obviously based mainly on Orvieto labels.
Mar 13th, 2009, 06:49 AM
#35
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Oh shoots! we were palnning to be in Orvieto on Tuesday any other suggestions for that days lunch ?
I've emailed the Scavi tour and am awaitng a response
Thank you for you guidance I'll look for more suggestions with great expectation.
I've emailed the Scavi tour and am awaitng a response
Thank you for you guidance I'll look for more suggestions with great expectation.
Mar 13th, 2009, 07:26 AM
#36
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L'Asino d'Oro and La Palomba are two more SlowFood picks that we had on our list but did not have the time to try. Both are open Tuesdays.
LA PALOMBA
Trattoria
Via Manenre 16
Tel. 0763 343395
Closed Wednesday
Open: lunch and dinner
Holidays: between July and August
Seating: 50
Prices: 22-24 euros, wine excluded
All credit cards, Bancomat
For anyone wishing to have proof or confirmation of the excellence of Orvieto's local cuisine, we warmly recommend La Palomba, in the heart of the city next door to the 13-century Palazzo Comunale. This is just the right place to enjoy simple food with traditional flavors and soak up the atmosphere of the city. The trattoria is a family affair and each member shares in the general management with courtesy, friendliness and expertise. The kitchen is the realm of Gb-vanna, who for five decades, as if by magic, has transformed prime quality seasonal produce into delectable food that is now part and parcel of local gastronomic history. Clients can try her crostini al salmi and various types of bruschetta, including one with extra-virgin olive oil and truffle freshly grated at the table. Among the first courses, tagliatelle al sugo di gallina and umbricelli all'arrabbiafa or with other seasonal accompaniments. On feast days, Giovanna cooks a fantastic pigeon dish, palomba alla leccarda, as well as tripe and lamb 'a scottadito', all well presented by the consolidated front of house team of Carla, Enrica and Giampiero. If you can still manage a pudding to round off your meal, try ordering one of the delicious home-made treats: wild berry pie, ice cream served 'caldo-freddo' or classic tozzetti with Vin Santo.
The wine list is well structured and includes both local and regional wines, as well as a few good labels from Tuscany.
There is some info on eating in Orvieto on this long and interesting thread, with meaty comments from Franco and Eloise:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...side-trips.cfm
LA PALOMBA
Trattoria
Via Manenre 16
Tel. 0763 343395
Closed Wednesday
Open: lunch and dinner
Holidays: between July and August
Seating: 50
Prices: 22-24 euros, wine excluded
All credit cards, Bancomat
For anyone wishing to have proof or confirmation of the excellence of Orvieto's local cuisine, we warmly recommend La Palomba, in the heart of the city next door to the 13-century Palazzo Comunale. This is just the right place to enjoy simple food with traditional flavors and soak up the atmosphere of the city. The trattoria is a family affair and each member shares in the general management with courtesy, friendliness and expertise. The kitchen is the realm of Gb-vanna, who for five decades, as if by magic, has transformed prime quality seasonal produce into delectable food that is now part and parcel of local gastronomic history. Clients can try her crostini al salmi and various types of bruschetta, including one with extra-virgin olive oil and truffle freshly grated at the table. Among the first courses, tagliatelle al sugo di gallina and umbricelli all'arrabbiafa or with other seasonal accompaniments. On feast days, Giovanna cooks a fantastic pigeon dish, palomba alla leccarda, as well as tripe and lamb 'a scottadito', all well presented by the consolidated front of house team of Carla, Enrica and Giampiero. If you can still manage a pudding to round off your meal, try ordering one of the delicious home-made treats: wild berry pie, ice cream served 'caldo-freddo' or classic tozzetti with Vin Santo.
The wine list is well structured and includes both local and regional wines, as well as a few good labels from Tuscany.
There is some info on eating in Orvieto on this long and interesting thread, with meaty comments from Franco and Eloise:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...side-trips.cfm
Mar 13th, 2009, 03:08 PM
#37
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Thanks to you all I am hard at work trying to fit it all in. I am beginning to see how much there is to see, so now it's about narrowing it down to make it enoyable.I will post again when I get something reasonable to critque.thanks for sticking with me.
Mar 14th, 2009, 03:17 AM
#38
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Update: I asked an Italian friend to translate the "reimborso alle franchigia" on the Italian AE site. She had no clue!
I will try to find more info by phoning the AE US site.
Perhaps I can also get Kemwell US to match the prices on the AE Italian site!
I will try to find more info by phoning the AE US site.
Perhaps I can also get Kemwell US to match the prices on the AE Italian site!
Mar 14th, 2009, 03:39 PM
#39
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"Ah! franchigia a Floria Tosca, e al signor che l'accompagna" was what I listened to an hour ago...
ek: rimborso della franchigia, reimbursement of deductibles. That means that you'll have to pay the deductibles to the local car rental company, but AutoEurope will give you the same amount back. That's how I understand it.
ek: rimborso della franchigia, reimbursement of deductibles. That means that you'll have to pay the deductibles to the local car rental company, but AutoEurope will give you the same amount back. That's how I understand it.
