Italy trip questions
Apr 11th, 2009, 11:00 AM
#42
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I wasn't suggesting they should get a van - they want to have 2 cars. There have been many suggestions to train, and that works for a lot of people, but thought I'd put in an opinion that I think driving would be doable as well since they seem to want to do that. This summer will be our 4th trip and we've driven out of Rome each time. I guess it just depends what you are used to.
Apr 11th, 2009, 11:09 AM
#43
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I'm used to driving out of Rome, too. And IN Rome, which apparently is horrifically frightening for many people. Even if you're comfortable driving in and out of cities in Italy, it's a big leap to drive a 9-passenger van, OR to try to keep two rental cars together between Rome and someplace else, which is what it sounded as though they were trying to do. Both scenarios present logistical challenges that a novice driver in Italy would no doubt find difficult.
Apr 11th, 2009, 12:04 PM
#44
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Some of my most favorite memories include driving experiences. It is definitely an adventure - even a simple stop at the AutoGrill was fun for us!
excited - it would depend on how much luggage everyone is carrying. We booked with Andrew Bestor at gemut.com - The rental is through AutoEurope and he'll beat any price quote you have. If you want to look at the size of the van check out the fleet guide at AutoEurope and look at the Fiat Ducato Van - It's huge, but quite comfortable. And apparently I have not given my husband enough credit for his ability to handle the van. The only difficulty he had was trying to get it in reverse leaving our first parking lot - after that, no problems.
We didn't have any trouble driving around Tuscany, because most hilltowns have parking areas outside the walls or city centers and you walk in. We drove that van to Cinque Terre, Lucca, Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio... The highways are easy. Sometimes doing the country driving (like to wineries) you will encounter some really narrow roads for one car. It doesn't seem to matter how big or small your car is, because it can only take one and someone needs to back up to let the other car pass. That happened once on our way to Castello di Verrazzano Winery for their wine tasting lunch.
A good thing about driving with a large group of people, is that there are more eyes to try and read the road signs as you buzz by. The signs in Italy may have 10 arrows pointing to the right, and 10 to the left - and sometimes it's hard to find the one you're looking for.
excited - it would depend on how much luggage everyone is carrying. We booked with Andrew Bestor at gemut.com - The rental is through AutoEurope and he'll beat any price quote you have. If you want to look at the size of the van check out the fleet guide at AutoEurope and look at the Fiat Ducato Van - It's huge, but quite comfortable. And apparently I have not given my husband enough credit for his ability to handle the van. The only difficulty he had was trying to get it in reverse leaving our first parking lot - after that, no problems.
We didn't have any trouble driving around Tuscany, because most hilltowns have parking areas outside the walls or city centers and you walk in. We drove that van to Cinque Terre, Lucca, Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio... The highways are easy. Sometimes doing the country driving (like to wineries) you will encounter some really narrow roads for one car. It doesn't seem to matter how big or small your car is, because it can only take one and someone needs to back up to let the other car pass. That happened once on our way to Castello di Verrazzano Winery for their wine tasting lunch.
A good thing about driving with a large group of people, is that there are more eyes to try and read the road signs as you buzz by. The signs in Italy may have 10 arrows pointing to the right, and 10 to the left - and sometimes it's hard to find the one you're looking for.
Apr 11th, 2009, 01:05 PM
#45
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Well, I haven't driven in Italy, but I have taken the train between Venice/Florence and Florence/Rome. And I second the opinion to either:
a) take train or bus to Siena and spend one night there then train on to Venice, through Florence.
b) I certainly like the idea of just taking the 1-1/2 hr Express train from Rome to Florence. Stay in Florence, or go up short distance to Fiesole for the view. This is part of Tuscany, so you get your wish for some Tuscan views.
Florence may not be a small town, but it certainly has a small town feel. Even "city people" will not feel overwhelmed by Florence. It is a wonderful city.
There are day trips out of Florence also. Highly recommended is Luca Garrapa:
www.hillsandroads.com
Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!
a) take train or bus to Siena and spend one night there then train on to Venice, through Florence.
b) I certainly like the idea of just taking the 1-1/2 hr Express train from Rome to Florence. Stay in Florence, or go up short distance to Fiesole for the view. This is part of Tuscany, so you get your wish for some Tuscan views.
Florence may not be a small town, but it certainly has a small town feel. Even "city people" will not feel overwhelmed by Florence. It is a wonderful city.
There are day trips out of Florence also. Highly recommended is Luca Garrapa:
www.hillsandroads.com
Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!
Apr 11th, 2009, 01:19 PM
#46
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I think if everybody in excited and confused's party has a sense of humor and adventure, and is reconciled to the possibility of disaster -- hey, why not rent a car or two and give it a go? Maybe it won't be a disaster. Maybe it will be fun. Maybe hauling luggage on an off a train won't be fun.
How about letting the individuals in the group decide? Some might prefer to just stay on the train to Venice. Others might want to rent a car -- and let them go for it, do the planning and live with the fun or dreadful consequences.
How about letting the individuals in the group decide? Some might prefer to just stay on the train to Venice. Others might want to rent a car -- and let them go for it, do the planning and live with the fun or dreadful consequences.
Apr 11th, 2009, 01:29 PM
#47
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We went on two trips to Italy. On the first we rented a car to go some places. My brother, who had been living in Rome two years and occasionally drove, took the wheel. I was riding shotgun with the map and it was very hairy at times. Honestly, he knew where he needed to get to in Rome, although we had fun down near San Giovanni Laterano one day getting out of town. But more often, it was the smaller towns that were challenging. We were following other cars into one town (Assisi, perhaps?) and trying to find a place to park. We still don't know what we did wrong, but a police officer stepped out in front of us and made us back up this narrow lane (and the people behind us) and turn down this other one even smaller... And like the commercial, when I mean narrow lane, I mean there were tall stone buildings on either side of us. It also helped that he spoke fluent Italian. It was hard for me to read some of the signs even though I'd been taking Italian.
I would lean toward the train, but you should do what you think best. You will survive the driving, but please be prepared to be patient and everyone needs to be supportive of your driver. If you need to be somewhere a long ways away ask if there is late check-in and bring a number to call them if needed.
I would lean toward the train, but you should do what you think best. You will survive the driving, but please be prepared to be patient and everyone needs to be supportive of your driver. If you need to be somewhere a long ways away ask if there is late check-in and bring a number to call them if needed.
Apr 11th, 2009, 03:39 PM
#50
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I have been following this interesting post, and have found myself both confused and excited. These travelers have the right idea, and they have had to make many decisions. For a group this size this is a real adventure. They are going for the gusto(I know outdated). If car rentals are the decision, a GPS would really be very helpful in navigating the trip. My husband and I now always travel to Europe with a GPS, and it makes the trip so much easier. All the places this group want to see are wonderful, and I am looking forward to reading the trip report. Please, one of you write in a journal daily so that we can recapture your wonderful trip. Have a great time.
Apr 12th, 2009, 06:14 AM
#51
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Definitely go for 2 cars if you do rent. I can remember some hilltown parking lots where a van wouldn't fit. But with 2 cars what if there's only one parking place?
Back to your son in Rome, you can go to one of the mapping sites, like www.viamichelin.com or www.mappy.com, and print out detailed walking directions from the train station.
In fact, when doing a driving trip I always print out, from one of these sites, detailed maps of the route to each night's lodging. We did take a GPS on our last such trip, but it suddenly lost its map of Western Europe, once we'd arrived.
Back to your son in Rome, you can go to one of the mapping sites, like www.viamichelin.com or www.mappy.com, and print out detailed walking directions from the train station.
In fact, when doing a driving trip I always print out, from one of these sites, detailed maps of the route to each night's lodging. We did take a GPS on our last such trip, but it suddenly lost its map of Western Europe, once we'd arrived.
Apr 13th, 2009, 08:34 AM
#52
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Another couple of comments on the driving plan. I'm generally more of a driving sort of person, so driving (but I'm the driver) isn't so bad. And to do a combination of driving and trains, IMHO, just adds to the complexity, unless your transition from car to train is at your overnight in Florence or Fiesole. And personally, I only take trains point to point. If I have to change trains, then I start thinking that renting a car makes more sense.
The getting out of Rome part is a consideration; some people aren't stressed by that, and some are. And to pick up the rental car(s) from the airport will add a good amount of time, particularly as Fiumicino is on the west side of Rome.
Another factor, however, is the person-to-luggage ratio, and the size of car you'd need for 4 adult-sized people and their luggage. I'm not sure if a mid-sized car will fit you all and your luggage. We always get a compact, and it only fits 3 of us (3 short adults) and our luggage - a 21" bag, two 24" bags, 1 backpack, 1 day bag if something goes in the back seat with our son (as in, not all the luggage can be placed out of sight).
The bigger the car, the more difficult (or at least, more stressful) it is to navigate on narrow side roads and through even-narrower small-town streets.
Our humerous story about luggage. We traveled to Italy with a co-worker of DH & his wife. They didn't ask about luggage size, so I didn't volunteer - I was giving enough advice, already. We insisted on renting two cars, because they were leaving for home earlier than we were. Good thing! I told them we rent a compact car for DH and I, and they did the same. We showed up at the rental office, and we got our car just fine (one 24" bag, one 21" bag, 2 day bags). The rental people took one look at our friends, with their two 26" bags, two roll-ons and a day bag, and upgraded their rental car to a station wagon.
On the driving and seeing the sights, I can understanding your wanting to see something of the countryside. But I would suggest you plan on only one extra place (i.e., leave Rome, if you're leaving in the morning, stop in Orvieto, night in Florence, train from there. Or leave Rome, stop in Orvieto, night in Siena. Next day, drive from Siena, stop in Bologna on the way). The problem with a night in Siena is that it's still pretty far south; Florence is a more logical in between point. Also, all the places I mentioned are great places to visit, but sizeable enough that getting in and out of the town will be somewhat of a hassle.
The getting out of Rome part is a consideration; some people aren't stressed by that, and some are. And to pick up the rental car(s) from the airport will add a good amount of time, particularly as Fiumicino is on the west side of Rome.
Another factor, however, is the person-to-luggage ratio, and the size of car you'd need for 4 adult-sized people and their luggage. I'm not sure if a mid-sized car will fit you all and your luggage. We always get a compact, and it only fits 3 of us (3 short adults) and our luggage - a 21" bag, two 24" bags, 1 backpack, 1 day bag if something goes in the back seat with our son (as in, not all the luggage can be placed out of sight).
The bigger the car, the more difficult (or at least, more stressful) it is to navigate on narrow side roads and through even-narrower small-town streets.
Our humerous story about luggage. We traveled to Italy with a co-worker of DH & his wife. They didn't ask about luggage size, so I didn't volunteer - I was giving enough advice, already. We insisted on renting two cars, because they were leaving for home earlier than we were. Good thing! I told them we rent a compact car for DH and I, and they did the same. We showed up at the rental office, and we got our car just fine (one 24" bag, one 21" bag, 2 day bags). The rental people took one look at our friends, with their two 26" bags, two roll-ons and a day bag, and upgraded their rental car to a station wagon.
On the driving and seeing the sights, I can understanding your wanting to see something of the countryside. But I would suggest you plan on only one extra place (i.e., leave Rome, if you're leaving in the morning, stop in Orvieto, night in Florence, train from there. Or leave Rome, stop in Orvieto, night in Siena. Next day, drive from Siena, stop in Bologna on the way). The problem with a night in Siena is that it's still pretty far south; Florence is a more logical in between point. Also, all the places I mentioned are great places to visit, but sizeable enough that getting in and out of the town will be somewhat of a hassle.
Apr 13th, 2009, 08:40 AM
#53
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It really doesn't make sense to get a car (or two!) in Rome and drive to Orvieto. There's a car rental place in Orvieto, and it's only an hour by train from Rome. These people are not experienced drivers in Italy (is there a stick shift driver or two in the group?) so why have them driving out of Rome?
There comes a point here where I am tempted to think -- if people are talking about renting two cars, especially automatics, with GPSs -- that it makes more sense for this group to hire a driver out of Rome to drive them someplace they all want to go. The next day, the driver should drive them to Firenze or Bologna and they can take the train to Venice.
There comes a point here where I am tempted to think -- if people are talking about renting two cars, especially automatics, with GPSs -- that it makes more sense for this group to hire a driver out of Rome to drive them someplace they all want to go. The next day, the driver should drive them to Firenze or Bologna and they can take the train to Venice.
Apr 13th, 2009, 07:20 PM
#56
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Le Casa della Saracca is incredible. The rustic charm and
medieval village is exactly what we are looking for. We are travelling by car and planning on routing back to Malpensa wanted to stay not in the ordinary hotel. Any feedback?
medieval village is exactly what we are looking for. We are travelling by car and planning on routing back to Malpensa wanted to stay not in the ordinary hotel. Any feedback?
Apr 14th, 2009, 07:03 AM
#57
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Lolabosco - I wasn't entirely sure you were asking me the question about Monforte d'Alba. Unfortunately, I don't know anything like that that's closer to Milan. The way I "found" Le Case was because my parents stayed there; it wasn't advertised many places.
How close to Milan do you want/need to be? In looking for a charming place to stay, I would work backward a bit. Figure out how close you want to be to Milan, then look for towns (preferably in the Piemonte) in your distance range. Then I search for hotels and B&Bs in those towns, using google, tripadvisor, venere.com, another site that I think is called italyby.com. I use every resource I can find to locate charming B&Bs/hotels in small towns. Also, there's a B&B owned by a Fodorite that's located in Asti, which is closer to Milan, which several Fodorites have stayed at and spoken very highly of. It's called Villa Sampaguita.
How close to Milan do you want/need to be? In looking for a charming place to stay, I would work backward a bit. Figure out how close you want to be to Milan, then look for towns (preferably in the Piemonte) in your distance range. Then I search for hotels and B&Bs in those towns, using google, tripadvisor, venere.com, another site that I think is called italyby.com. I use every resource I can find to locate charming B&Bs/hotels in small towns. Also, there's a B&B owned by a Fodorite that's located in Asti, which is closer to Milan, which several Fodorites have stayed at and spoken very highly of. It's called Villa Sampaguita.
Apr 14th, 2009, 07:15 AM
#58
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I don't know Piemonte should be preferred over other regions with the same driving time to Malpensa as Asti. There are plenty of atmospheric places in Piemonte to be sure, but likewise in other directions.
Where are you coming from and what do you consider a comfortable drive time to be at the airport?
Where are you coming from and what do you consider a comfortable drive time to be at the airport?
Apr 14th, 2009, 08:13 PM
#59
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Hi, thanks for all the input I really do appreciate all the opinions & hearing about different experiences. I think the easiest option may be to take a bus from Rome to Siena, stay a night there and then drive or train from siena to venice with a stop at a winery if we are driving. We cannot leave from Siena the same day since no car rental in Siena seems to be open on June 2nd, a bank holiday.
The other husband in the group has experience driving a stickshift, has been to Italy before & does not mind driving, hence the slight (selfish) preference for a van! I think I will make a reservation for a car that can be canceled & we will play it by ear once we see the traffic!
So the only decision that has to be made now is where to stop overnight if Siena is too far south. Somehow Florence does not really excite me, I think we might prefer Bologna though I can't explain why. Again, if anyone can suggest any other scenic alternative that is not tooo quiet, I would very much appreciate the suggestions.
Nametaken, my son blogs everyday especially on trips so maybe I will "borrow" his blog & post it on Fodors if he lets me,(minus any sarcastic comments about his mom, of course)!
The other husband in the group has experience driving a stickshift, has been to Italy before & does not mind driving, hence the slight (selfish) preference for a van! I think I will make a reservation for a car that can be canceled & we will play it by ear once we see the traffic!
So the only decision that has to be made now is where to stop overnight if Siena is too far south. Somehow Florence does not really excite me, I think we might prefer Bologna though I can't explain why. Again, if anyone can suggest any other scenic alternative that is not tooo quiet, I would very much appreciate the suggestions.
Nametaken, my son blogs everyday especially on trips so maybe I will "borrow" his blog & post it on Fodors if he lets me,(minus any sarcastic comments about his mom, of course)!
Apr 14th, 2009, 08:24 PM
#60
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Further north than Siena you might consider Ferrara, which is just a bit beyond Bologna and shares its cuisine but is less intensely urban. Much more pedestrian, but with lovely features. Be aware that once you are beyond Siena, everything gets flat. Even when you are in the countryside.
Once again, I will suggest that you explore the possibility of everyone taking the train to Florence. Those who want vinyards and olive trees can take a cab ride up the hill to Fiesole. Those who want excitement and art can visit Firenze. You can either all stay up the hill together, or you can split up for one night. The next morning, you all take the train to Venice, separately or together.
Once again, I will suggest that you explore the possibility of everyone taking the train to Florence. Those who want vinyards and olive trees can take a cab ride up the hill to Fiesole. Those who want excitement and art can visit Firenze. You can either all stay up the hill together, or you can split up for one night. The next morning, you all take the train to Venice, separately or together.
