Fast Train from Venice to Florence
Nov 5th, 2019, 09:30 AM
#22
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Hey J62 - great info. We have AAA and Hertz Gold so we will definitely use the hot spot you mentioned...how exactly does AAA play into it? In other words, how do we go about taking advantage of this?
thanks for the great tip!
thanks for the great tip!
Nov 5th, 2019, 10:32 AM
#23
It was seamless. That was the part I was most concerned about on the trip (the logistics) but it all went well.
We flew in on different flights, met up the airport, took a taxi into town. Back out of town to the train station. I always book directly with the car rental company. It all went very well.
Our trip was 16 days and we went to a lot of different places. I understand the concerns about making the pieces fit. Enjoy your trip!
Nov 5th, 2019, 11:56 AM
#24
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when I booked (Hertz, through AutoEurope) around March I looked on the AAA website and saw they had a hertz wifi coupon. I just looked again and don't see it, so follow the hertz link I posted and see if they have any info. You may be able to get one on the spot with your gold membership (I hadn't pre-reserved it)., but if you can find a coupon or code to have in hand before you get there it wouldn't hurt.
As for gold, there is no skipping the line at FLR. It's a tiny office, and no gold desk. Everybody waits their turn, and it's not a fast checkout process. With the AutoEurope voucher, and my contact and drivers license info input into hertz.com I was in and out faster than anyone else. There was a guy 2 or 3 behind me who grumbled (loudly, in American english) about how he was gold, never had to wait anywhere, and demanded to speak to an agent immediately, yada yada yada.
Another thing with gold, it gives you spouse as a free additional driver. After I got my AE voucher I called hertz and had them add my gold # to the reservation just so it was all linked together. You may be able to give AE your gold # and do it that way.
For parking, at Sam Gimi there is a lot right outside the city walls at the top of the hill that is definitely outside any ZTL. It's either labeled P1 or P2 and if you look on google maps you can see where it is. The other one is a large lot about 10min walk downhill for overflow parking. I'd just contact the hotel and see where they recommend to park. I would not drive within the city walls, regardless. Even if you were allowed the streets are all filled with pedestrian tourists and it's be a pain to drive in and out any time you got in the car.
For parking in other towns like Siena, download the SiPark app for real time open spot info for the various lots. Other cities may have their own apps as well - I know florence does.
There are several large supermarkets in Poggibonsi which is the town right before San Gimi. They have everything you'd ever think you need, so if you have any questions about foods, special or non, let me know and I can tell you my experience.
As for gold, there is no skipping the line at FLR. It's a tiny office, and no gold desk. Everybody waits their turn, and it's not a fast checkout process. With the AutoEurope voucher, and my contact and drivers license info input into hertz.com I was in and out faster than anyone else. There was a guy 2 or 3 behind me who grumbled (loudly, in American english) about how he was gold, never had to wait anywhere, and demanded to speak to an agent immediately, yada yada yada.
Another thing with gold, it gives you spouse as a free additional driver. After I got my AE voucher I called hertz and had them add my gold # to the reservation just so it was all linked together. You may be able to give AE your gold # and do it that way.
For parking, at Sam Gimi there is a lot right outside the city walls at the top of the hill that is definitely outside any ZTL. It's either labeled P1 or P2 and if you look on google maps you can see where it is. The other one is a large lot about 10min walk downhill for overflow parking. I'd just contact the hotel and see where they recommend to park. I would not drive within the city walls, regardless. Even if you were allowed the streets are all filled with pedestrian tourists and it's be a pain to drive in and out any time you got in the car.
For parking in other towns like Siena, download the SiPark app for real time open spot info for the various lots. Other cities may have their own apps as well - I know florence does.
There are several large supermarkets in Poggibonsi which is the town right before San Gimi. They have everything you'd ever think you need, so if you have any questions about foods, special or non, let me know and I can tell you my experience.
Nov 7th, 2019, 12:33 PM
#25
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Starrs - thanks so much. Sounds like Hertz is a great option, and so is the rental car station at the Train station so that's what we will do! Very much appreciate your help; it's invaluable to have someone provide some advice/confirmation to the plans I'm making.
Shelley
Shelley
Nov 7th, 2019, 12:34 PM
#26
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J62 - a BIG thank you for the information - it's so detailed, I'll be sure to print your response and add it to my travel folder. Thank you again for taking the time to share this information.
Shelley
Shelley
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