We are traveling to Italy next April and will arrive in Rome. We want to go to Florence and Venice as well. What are the advantages and disadvantages to traveling by train or car? Please advise. We will be gone for 2 weeks. Thanks

Can only advise you on the Rome-Florence portion. While you would not want a car in either of these cities, the area in between which includes Umbria and Tuscany, can be seen in an entirely different way by car.<BR><BR>You can visit many charming towns on your own schedule and see them when the daytrippers have left. You can take small back roads and end up in wonderful places you would never have discovered otherwise. <BR><BR>It would certainly be easy enough to spend your entire trip in just the 3 cities you mentioned. But when you have your itinerary planned, if you want to devote a few days to the Tuscan countryside (Montalcino, Pienza, Chianti country, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, etc), it would make sense to pick up a car in Rome and drop it off in Florence.

Unless you want to go off the beaten path train travel in Italy is CHEAP. I spent the better half of Feb. In Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, and Milan. Check out trenitalia.com, for accurate train cost.

If your itinerary is to hit the big 3 (Rome-Florence-Venice) then train travel is easy and convenient. Within any of these cities, having a car is a nuisance. However if you'd like to explore the Italian countryside and include several days in either Tuscany region or Umbria region, then a car is great to have. <BR><BR>You'll get many opinions on where to include/exclude from a 2-wk stay in Italy. And you need to evaluate what type of trip suits your interests. <BR>

Agree with the other posters. Rule of thumb is take the train when you only need to get from city A t city B because the hassle of picking up and dropping off the car isn't worth it for only one day's rental. Rent a car to see smaller towns and countryside. Note: you'll probably find a 4 day rental is about the same cost as a 1 week rental.<BR><BR>Since you say "we" have 2 weeks..I'm going to assume you will definitely want to see some smaller towns because the Italian countryside is so beautiful and 2 weeks only seeing large cities would be less fulfilling. Having a party of 2 or more also increases the economic advantage over multiple train tickets.<BR><BR>Due to the distance between Rome and Venice, you should consider an "open jaw" ticket arriving into Rome and returning home from Venice. Even if more expensive, the cost is often offset saving a night's hotel, meals and return train ticket.

I think Tuscany and Umbria offer the most in terms of countryside touring and so recommend you take the train to get from Florence to Venice. Here's a sample itinerary for 14 days:<BR><BR>4 nights Rome.<BR>5th day, pick up rental car from Rome Termini or train to Orvieto and pick up car from there.<BR>5th - 8th nights - stay in a countryside agriturimo/B&B in Tuscany or Umbria, using as a base to explore 4 - 6 small hilltowns over 4 or more days.<BR>9th day - drop rental car in Florence.<BR>9th - 11th night stay in Florence.<BR>10th day - Eurostar Train to Venice<BR>3 nights Venice. Fly home from Venice.<BR><BR>Your base in Tuscany or Umbria depends on which hilltowns you wish to see. Recommend to make Siena one of these but study up on parking in Siena before you go as you can't park in the center of town.<BR><BR>There are many hilltowns to consider:<BR>Orvieto, Assisi, Todi, Spoleto, Spello, Gubbio, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza, San Gimignano, etc. Jus can't do them all. <BR><BR>Buon Viaggio!

We found train travel in Italy cheaper than hiring a car. Parking can be difficult to find (Italy was built before cars were ever thought of) and expensive, road tolls can be pricey, then there is petrol, insurance etc. Travelling by car gives you more flexibility to go where you want but train travel is easier with less hassle. With a hire car, you usually have one person with their nose stuck in the map, directing, and the driver watching other traffic and road signs. On a train, you can both watch the scenery and have a coffee! <BR>Kay<BR>