final itinerary, need transportation advice
 

We have FINALLY finished our itinerary for our trip to Italy the first week of September. We will be there for 11 days. What we really need to know is when to rent a car and when to take the train. My husband loves to have his own car and we have usually driven when we travel, but we want to be smart about it.
We will arrive very late in Rome and plan to arrange a shuttle to the hotel. 3 nights in Rome with no car, then on to a B&B just south of Sienna. We want to drive there, so where should we pick up the car?
While in Sienna, we are planning day trips to surrounding towns and possibly Florence. Would you drive to Florence, or take public transportation?
After Sienna, we are going to Cinque Terre for 2 nights in Vernazza, then on to Venice for our last 3 nights. This is where we need advice regarding keeping or turning in the car.
Thanks so much!!!

I would do this:
Train to Chiusi to get the car--from Autoeurope---the Hertz offfice is across from the station.
Keep the car until La Spezia--drop there and train to Vernazza
Train to Venice--long day

Or, keep the car until Venice, but stay in Levanto or Portovenere instead.

See www.trenitalia.com for schedules

Hi S,

You can take a bus from Rome Tiburtina station to Sienna and get the car there.

You can take a train to Orvieto and get the car there.

You can take the shuttle to Rome FCO and get the care there.

From Siena, take the SITA bus to Florence.

I don't think that there are any good train routes from Vernazza to Venice, but you also don't need a car on the CT.

Have you considered traing from Rome to Vernazza, picking up the car in La Spezia and then driving to Siena?

From Siena, drive to Venice and drop the car there.

((I))

Bob,
you say to stay in Levanto instead? Instead of where?
Sorry to seem clueless, but it is our first visit.

Well, you said Vernazza, which is too hard to access by car. I prefer with a car to stay just outside the 5 villages and access them by ferry. We usually drive and stay in Portovenere, but we are older and not hikers.

I think what bob is suggesting is that IF you don't want to give up your car at Cinque Terre, then switch your location there to either Levanto or Portovenere, which are more car friendly. Then you still have the car to drive to Venezia.

But if you are committed to staying in Vernazza, then get rid of your car in La Spezia.

Regarding where to pick up the car, the question may be whether you would like to see the cathedral in Orvieto.

Sorry, I shouldn't have answered for bob.

I agree with Bob about picking up the car in Chiusi. Make sure you take the tram up to Orvieto before you pick up your car (the duomo there is spectacular). It's also a pretty drive from Orvieto to Siena hiway 2 instead of the autostrada.

I find it easy to drive in town but some people are uncomfortable. If that kind of thing doesn't bother you then drive into Florence. There is parking under the train station so it's easy to follow the signs. You can also bus up from Siena. The whole Chianti are is beautiful and it's wonderful to just drive. (we have some restaurant reviews on our web site vinorossoidaho.com)

If you want to keep the car for the whole trip then you can park in Lerici and take the ferry into Vernazza. There is a large parking lot, regular ferry schedule and your car will be safe (it will not be safe in La Spezie).

We've stayed in Vernazza and Portovenere and I love both. If you are hiking then Vernazza is probably a better place.