kbrown

I understand now. I was confused because you are not really renting for a week. You are only keeping the car for 5 days, according to your schedule. That makes it 60E a day. In addition, it will sit idle in CT for a day. So you are really using it for 4 days.

Plus you are driving a little putt-putt on the freeway. That's a factor, of course. You may feel comfortable, but I wouldn't. Safety is only one issue. I also would never rent a car without a trunk when travelling. Otherwise, you leave you luggage visible and vulnerable every time you stop.

In sum: for 4 days use, you are paying 300E ($375), plus $70 dropoff. Then there is $20 for the international permit. Thats about $115/day plus the 4$/gallon gas, the astronomical tolls and parking. And this is for a vehicle that is little more than a kiddy car on steriods.

OK. We obviously see things differently.

Patrick

Gee, kbrown, we're renting a Fiat Punto with AC (economy manual) which we find just fine for us. We're renting for 8 days from Venice to San Remo and paying less than $50 a day all inclusive. We're happy.

I'm not sure what you're driving at for deanna. There seems to be a tone to your post that I'm just not following. I'm sorry you seem to find driving in Italy a nightmare. We find it an absolute delight and always have including our very first time. If I was doing nothing but Rome, Florence, and Venice I'd agree about ditching the car, but I would never ever try to "explore" Tuscany without the "luxury" of a car. And they'll also be able to drive from CT to Tuscany in a couple of hours. By train, they'd lose the better part of a day and their minds with the connections. I'm with you deanna.

deanna

Thank you, Patrick. I'm not sure where the hostility is coming from either. To each his own, right? I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

Happy travels.

northerngirl

My fool-proof, never-to-be-argued-with reason for renting a car in Tuscany: the buses don't stop when the dramamine quits working. My husband has never argued about car rentals since our last disaster on tiny, winding, and hilly country roads. It makes for a much more pleasant trip when you can actually stop on your own schedule.

jabez

I highly recommend driving in Tuscany/Umbria.There's so much you can only see by car.
My next trip I'm renting from "Italy by Car" (Thrifty)for the Tuscany portion of the trip. They easily beat auto Europe and my corp. rate with Avis and their one way rate is only 35E.
I also recommend cars with trunks.Leaving items within view in cars may not be wise.

4sammy

Deanna, I may be too late to jump in on this one, but I think you are doing the right thing by dropping Pompeii. I had always dreamed of Pompeii and thought it would be the biggest highlight of my trip. I was very disappointed. Later in my trip, when I was in Venice for only 2 nights, I could have kicked myself that I didn't spend that day there instead!!

I would definitely recommend Pompeii if you were spending much time in Rome or other southern points. But on its own, I don't think it's worth the inconvenience. Your trip sounds perfect without it, if you can now add a night in CT!!

In my opinion, southern and northern Italy are both wonderful. But it's like trying to decide between a long weekend in San Francisco and one in NYC. You can't do both. They are two separate trips.

Enjoy!!

deanna

northern girl, 4sammy, jabez--

Thanks for the assurance I'm on the right path. I feel good about the decision to drop Pompeii.

jabez -- is "Italy by Car" a promotion that Thrifty is running, or did you get that rate off their website (thrifty.com)? Is there a drop off fee with that rate (35E)?

e_roz

Hi Deanna!
We flew from Chicago to Milan (in/out) this past summer for our honeymoon. 14 days. We found Italy just amazing. My travel report is at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...xt=amazing+2+w

Tuscany was our favorite. That said, I'll throw in my 2 cents on what I think your current itinerary is (I read you dropped Pompeii?)
We had 2 nights in Venice and could have used 3. Stayed in the Dorsoduro area, loved the back alleys and streets and markets.
I'd think the train makes better sense to 5 Terre because it's easy and you don' t need a car once you are there. However, (and I am sure I'm in the minority) but I'd skip 5 Terre since it pulls you all the way west with your Itinerary. We were there in early July and the weather was great but the crowds were awful. Not sure if it'll be much better in Spt. In hindsight if I still wanted to hike it (which was beautiful) I'd stay N in Santa Margherita or Camogli.

We spent 5 days in Tuscany, spend as much time hiking, driving and exploring (not to mention eating and drinking) there as you can, just unbeatable.

Congrats, enjoy and Ciao!
E.

Ozarksbill

Yep. LJ is right, seeing Sorrento, Amalfi, Capri might be a good idea, but that doesn't work so well with being all the way up in Venice. And Tuscany would be great and Abruzzo area also. So much to see!!!

But the places south of Rome along with Pompeii are not to be missed in my book. Yes, they might be touristy but where won't you run into those groups of Japanese and Americans and all.

Bill in Missouri