Driving in Italy
 

Hi we are considering a driving tour in the North of Italy, so how does this sound?
3 nights Rome, then collect car, drive through Tuscany and stay 3 nights somewhere close to Florence (suggestions please) we will do a day trip to Florence whilst here, drive to Cinque Terra via Pisa (early start to spend morning in Pisa) 3 nights Cinque Terrra in Porto Venere, then on to Venice.
Does this sound reasonable? Any suggestions where to stay or on improvements to the itinerary?
We arrive Rome afternoon 05 August and depart on a cruise on the afternoon of 15 August from Venice. we also have a day and a half in Venice after the cruise so I was thinking of arriving in Venice on the 14th of August.
Appreciate any advice, not sure if driving or taking the train is the better option.
Thanks
Sharon

I would suggest not trying to drive to Cinque Terre. There is VERY limited parking there and you can't really drive once you get there. If you absolutely have to drive there, the best parking lot is in Monterosso al Mare.

Overall, your itinerary sounds great. Keep the car, just plan your lodging so that you can secure parking thru your lodging. A combo car-train is your best bet, for day trips park the car/leave at lodging and use train travel, i.e train from Pisa to Florence is 1.5 hours and 6 Euros. Really good value if considering that train station in Florence drops you so close to the Duomo Historical area (Florence is such a walkable city!).

Please check all routes, especially in Pisa. Most roads only for locals, big ticket price, if you make a wrong turn. Cameras are on most limited access roads.

Hmmmm, how about we have 3 nights Rome, pick up a car from a depot out of town and drive to somewhere in Tuscany which we can use as a base for 4 nights , do a day trip into Florence (we are more walkers outdoors than art gallery types) then drive to Pisa, drop the car there then train to Cinque Terra, spend 2 nights there then train to Venice?
Any suggestions for where to stay in Tuscany, or should we just stay in Florence?
Thanks
Sharon

Hello Sharon, I like that plan---get the car in Orvieto or Chiusi. Here are good places to stay in Tuscany. Decide your preferred location first and have fun !

BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TOSCANA

A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby

1. Relais La Saracina www.lasaracina.it 230 to 300E
Fabulous country home near Montepulciano—helpful owners

2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families

3. Terre di Nano www.terredinano.com 100 to 155
Both rooms and apartments at rural Agriturismo near Monticchiello

4. Casanova di Pescille http://www.casanovadipescille.com/ 100E
Rural B&B 3 KM from famed San Gimignano—we loved the views of San Gim.

5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti

6. Agriturismo apts. near San Quirico— www.poggiolo.info/ About 110E

B. IN-TOWN LOCATIONS: For walking convenience to shops & ristorantes.

1. Palazzo del Capitano www.palazzodelcapitano.com 130 to 180E
Very nice small hotel in center of San Quirico—perfect location to explore.

2. Vecchia Oliviera www.tuscany.net/oliviera/ 130 to 180E
Nice 4 star hotel at the gate into lovely Montalcino---has pool.

3. Palazzina Cesari www.montalcinoitaly.com 80 to 110E
Lovely small B&B in heart of Montalcino—great value—2 night stay minimum.

4. Locanda di San Francesco www.locandasanfrancesco.it 180 to 200E
New boutique B&B in a lovely location in Montepulciano—great reviews !

5. Politian apartments http://www.politian.com/ Good value apts. with
minimum stay of 3 nights in Montepulciano---helpful host---85E

6. Palazzo Ravizza www.palazzoravizza.it 130 to 180E
Very nice & popular hotel in Siena with parking.

7. Fattoria Vignale http://www.vignale.it/eng/ Four star hotel in Radda in the heart of Chianti. About 230E for double

If you only want to do a day trip to Florence, consider doing it from Rome. Otherwise, you will have to pick a Tuscan location convenient to daytripping into Florence, and most people don't want to drive a car into Florence (nor do they necessarily want to be limited to the areas of Tuscany convenient to Florence for a Tuscan base.)

Personally, I would merely visit Pisa en route to Portovenere (plenty of parking near the monuments), and drop off the car in La Spezia *after* dropping off your luggage at your Portovenere hotel. That way, you can minimize hauling luggage around train stations and on buses in the heat.

PS: I don't know if you like to drink wine with dinner while in Italian wine country (which is what rural Tuscany is), but you might prefer staying in an agriturismo or locanda that serves meals right at the accommodation rather than stay in a town (where parking is difficult) or have a designated driver at dinner.

Tripadvisor can be a great resource for finding such farmhouses, with user reviews from people who have personally stayed there:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...ny-Hotels.html

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g63...ny-Hotels.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g5...ny-Hotels.html

You have to read the Tripadvisor reviews carefully to see if meals are served. This website has a search feature that allows you to search specifically for farmhouse/winery stays with restaurants served on site. It also has user reviews.

http://en.agriturismo.it/tuscany/ind...=&ristorante=1

bmarking

Thank you Bob and Zeppole,
yes we do like drinking wine and love eating too!
This is all very valuable advice, appreciate it.
Cheers
Sharon
Australia