How easy is it to navigate and drive through Italy, specifically Tuscany? I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip for my mom and I. Right now I'm thinking of flying into Rome and spending a few days there; renting a car and exlporing Tuscany for a few days; then driving to Florence, dropping off the car and spending a few days there before flying home.

My last trip to Europe, about 5 years ago, my friends and I rented a car and drove through France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. I wouldn't hesitate to drive through those countries, but I've heard that driving in Italy can be a bit crazy, and navigating Tuscany can be challenging.

I would prefer the flexibility of having a car and being on our own schedule (and it seems more econimical too.) However, if navigating is that difficult, perhaps we'd be better to hire a guide for a few days rather than renting a car.

What do you experts recommend? Thanks in advance!

DH had the same reservations before our last Italy trip, this past March. However, everything was fine. We picked up the car at the airport and headed north to our apartment in Umbria. The Italians are a little crazy with their driving, but if you stay out of the left lane (if there is more than one lane) and don't get too upset if you tail you until they can pass you, you should be fine. I personally wouldn't explore Tuscany or Umbria without a car, as you would just miss too much.

Definitely get a really good map. We used, based on recommendations on this board, a spiral bound Touring Club Italiano atlas and we were happy we had it. You need one with lots of details.

Tracy

sorry, that should read "if they tail you"....

Tracy

The only problem with driving in Italy if you're from the US is that you need to leave all sense of road rage behind. There's an ebb and flow to driving in Italy and you just need to get used to it. Directional signs in Italy are excellent. There are generally no street signs in towns that you would see in the US as the street names are on the corners of buildings. IMO, driving in Italy is fun and easy. I wish we here in America could drive without the bad attitude.

Thanks for the replies. You've convinced me that we'll be fine driving. Road rage isn't really an issue for us, at least it hasn't been before! Tracy, where did you find that atlas that you mentioned? Did you buy it ahead of time or once you arrived in Italy?

Now I just need to figure out where to go in Tuscany! Should we base out of one town, or stay in a different place every night? As I've said, I've just started researching for this trip, but there are so many towns that I'd love to see...Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Pienza...just to name a few. I'm open to ideas!

In Italy, you pretty much just follow the road signs and arrows. The map we had from the rental agency (Hertz) had no numbers onit, so I was like, "The next left should head towards Siena." This always worked for us. Don't miss Montalcino! Volterra was nice, too!

KCGirl,
Send me an e-mail and I will send you some ideas for Tuscany and for driving in Italy.

My wife and I drove throughout northern Italy, including Tuscany in 2001. It was great, and I highly reocmmend it, although you need to plan in time to get lost. But that's not a problem, because you can always find friendly people ready to help. Some notes: 1) gas stations are CLOSED in Italy on Saturday, so gas up on Friday (you can sometimes find pumps with automatic vending, but they are difficult to find)[now that I've written this, I can't remember whether it was Saturday or Sunday that the gas stations were closed, but be sure to ask]; 2) the entrances and exits to the autostrade are not marked East, West, North or South, like they are here. Only after you are on the autostrade do the signs lead you to the right direction. So don't go past the autostrade -- like we did -- waiting for the direction you want. Go directly to the autostrade and you will then see the signs for the East-West or North-South direction; 3) if you only drive automatic shift (like me) you need to reserve well in advance; 4) in Florence, park at the public parking in the train station. It is walking distance to the Duomo; 5) in Pisa, you do not have to pay for the parking meters on Sundays.

I just sent you an email Henry. Thanks!

3mkids, Thanks for the useful information. I wouldn't have even thought of the gas stations being closed one day!