We will be traveling to Northern Italy in late Feb for 14 days, flying into Milan. We want to spend time in Florence and Venice. <BR>Would you suggest renting a car and driving or depending on the trains and busses for trasportation?

We personally don't like to "depend on", so we would advise to rent a car. Driving in Italy can be quite hectic though!

I've heard that driving in Venice is rather frowned upon... <BR> <BR>If most or all of your time will be in large cities, take the train. If you want to explore out of the way areas and hill towns, get a car. Keep in mind that very little of Europe suffers from suburban sprawl, and even in very large cities most of the tourist cites are condensed into the "old town" area. This makes a car in cities a worthless headache. <BR> <BR>Just my 2 groschen...

I suggest you use the train for Venice and Florence and rent a car for the rest of your trip. If you choose to do Venice and Florence (Venezia and Firenze) at the start of your trip, there are buses from the Milan airport (Malpensa) direct to the Centrale station. We have driven the length and breadth of Italy and don't find it itimidating at all.

If you're only going to Florence and Venice, then definitely go by train. They are comfortable and reliable. <BR>Cars are not only frowned upon in Venice...they're not allowed! Both cities are easy to get around in. <BR>If you're also going to some smaller towns, then you might want to rent a car just for those days.

Steve, <BR> <BR>14 days is a very civilized time to be spending in Italy. You can see a substantial amount. <BR> <BR>I go to Italy yearly and always drive. I like the freedom of seeing what I want, when I want. And I find driving there to be a wonderful experience - they drive fast but if you stay to the right, you can drive at your own pace - and the Italians follow the rule (at least on the Autostrada) that you always stay to the right except to pass. <BR> <BR>If I were taking your trip I think I'd rent a car in Milan, drive around the Lake country a few days. Then drive to Venice, drop off the car. (As Howard said, no cars allowed in Venice...) Stay in Venice a few days and rent a car in Venice and drive through Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. Drop off the car in Florence and spend the rest of the time in Florence. That assumes that you are flying into Milan and out of Florence. <BR> <BR>If you're flying in and out of Milan that would change things a bit - let me know... <BR> <BR>

Steve, <BR> <BR>One more thought - <BR> <BR>After re-reading your posting, if you are really just planning Florence and Venice, the train is fine - and you can do some day trips by train from each of these cities... <BR> <BR>Dona