Can anyone recommend a good route for driving into Rome from Tuscany? We're staying in the Aventine Hill area and need to keep to the car(don't ask - LOL!!). We're arriving in Rome on a Saturday night. <BR> <BR>Also, can you please comment on driving from this area to the Rome Airport. Would it be better to drop the car off at the train station in dowtown Rome and take the train to the airport from there? We're leaving on a Monday afternoon. <BR> <BR>Thanks for all your help!

Maria - <BR> <BR>I have been wondering the same type of questions; going to Italy in a couple of days - I hear driving into/out of Rome can be a craziness. Hopefully someone out there has the answers to your questions that can help both of us. <BR> <BR>Good Luck! <BR>BD

Can't comment on specifics of Tuscany to Rome but suggest any good (AGIP) map will help; its a very strightforward, well travelled route. As to the latter, ditch the car the second that you can, a car in central Rome is both uneccessary and a real hindrance. The train from Termini is easy and inexpensive, maybe $10 bucks US? My husband insisted(once) on having the car with us and driving out to the airport, not fun at rush hour, which is dawn til dusk...

Maria <BR>Got back last month and upon advise from a friend we stayed at the Hilton at the airport. Dropped off the car at the airport and walked back to the hotel over a covered walkway and got up the next morning and walked to the airport. Great way to finish a trip and not be stressed out.

Agree about ditching the car as soon as you can. If you try to drive in Rome, even if you are a great driver, it seems like all the streets are one way, going the WRONG way. Takes four times longer to get somewhere than to walk.

If you are near Orvieto, you can get rid of the car there (provided you've rented from Avis, or whoever else has an office there) and then just take the 1hr. train ride into Rome.

I've done it both ways. Driving in the major Italian cities is an adventure...a challenge which I somewhat enjoy. But I agree with the rest. I'd turn the car in and ride back into Rome. It's an unnecessary hassle at that point and will only add to your stress.