Hi there -

Have to toss my hat in the camp of training rather than driving, but have a great time regardless!

The only thing that I can add is that an economy sized car in Italy will NOT hold 4 adults and luggage for a long weekend. I have rented cars in Italy twice in the past year and a half (exclusively for countryside exploring), from both Auto Europe and Avis. A full sized rental is really what you will need - a full size in Europe is the equivalent of an intermediate rental in the States. Think Mazda 626, Ford Contour, Chevrolet Malibu size. The economy car will likely be much smaller and could very well have a hatch back. If you opt to drive, I would definitely recommend gettting a larger vehicle to accomodate you, your traveling companions, and a moderate amount of luggage comfortably.

Haven't taken a 2nd class train in Italy in about 5 years, but I seem to recall AC, or rather, I don't recall being uncomfortable in early September.

Hope that helps!

I think what most people are trying to tell you is that 5 nights are too short a time to do so much running around. They are telling you that because they have been to italy before and know that driving...take longer and are more difficult then here in a familar place. That said, it is your trip and you have to do what you want to do. If you want to go to Venice, Florence and Rome go for it. You can probably alter your plans alittle when you are there if you need to anyway. You seem now like you are pretty set on doing your origional itin.

Hi MotorCity--I think you can accomplish what you want to during your trip--much of it depends on your expectations and the flexibility/patience you and your traveling partners have. I just returned from an 8-day/9-night trip in Italy where we spent 3 days in Rome, and then proceeded on to Pompei, Amalfi, Capri, Paestum, the Chianti region of Tuscany, and Siena (and then flew out of Rome)--half of which was done by rental car. We had a Citroen Picasso which comfortably fit 4 adults, plus it had enough luggage space for 4 roll-on pieces of baggage. At the same time, this was not our first trip to Italy. However, if you want to just get a feel for these different locations in Italy (Venice, Florence and Rome), then you can do it! If you want to spend more time in any of these locations and want to proceed at a more relaxed pace, then you might want to cut one of the towns out of your itinerary. Just make sure you have good maps--and get familiar with them. Planning and patience are key! No matter where you end up (especially between Florence and Rome), there are lots of nice things to see. Regarding church services in Rome, there are over 150 churches in the center of town. Perhaps your hotel might be able to make a recommendation?

Thanks SeaUrchin...I've been watching this thread and have been waiting for someone to get to the truth...

"However I do want to provide them with all the info that I do have -so they can post and advise as accuratley as possible.
Next time, mabey offer some information in your posts?"

How much more info do you need MC?

The more information the better. This is a great thread for me since I am doing about the same thing. As far as the car rental....we are renting a car and driving from Rome to Florence to Venice. I was thinking about parking the car at the Venice airport. The airport has a water taxi, so we will just hop on that over to Venice. If we decided not to do any day trips from Venice, then we will just drop the car off at the airport (since we are flying out of Venice). Parking at the airport is MUCH cheaper than the car lots.

SeaUrchin again provides no real advise - just criticism...
Just a BIG THANK YOU to everyone else that have provided me with their expert advise!!!

After discussing this thread with my wife & the other couple, here is our revised Itin:

Arrive Venice Thurday noon and water taxi to our centrally located hotel -(need suggestions for one!!-Budget around 100-125eur per dbl - PLEASE).
We will stay within Venice for 3 nights(Thurs,Fri,Sat)

Get up Sunday and head to Florence, Sienna or Lucca - (haven't decided).
Probally make our base Florence.
Also(flame away! - : ) thinking about picking up the rental for these 2 days as we will not have far to go and it will give us the freedom to visit the smaller towns around Florence or hit a local winery if we so choose.
Also at $50 per day(yes-this includes taxes/insurance).
It really is cheaper than a train/buses/taxis (even with parking/gas/etc)for 4pp and gives us our FREEDOM.
Pick car up at the airport Sunday Morning.
Stay Sun & Mon(2nights) in Florence.
Get up Tuesday morning and drive back to Marco Polo airport for our flight back to USA(departs 12:50pm).

Please lemme know what you think of this revised itin and any helpful advise on hotels in Venice/Florence??
Where we should go - Sienna, Lucca, Winery??
Cheap/Good eats.
And of course tell me i'm crazy for renting a car!
: )

Thank you all again!
You don't know it - but you have all added to success of my trip and I certainly appreciate all of your advise(or SeaUrchin's lack thereof)!!!

Motorcity - here is a good website about renting cars in Italy

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/car_rental.htm

Here is another good website about the Autostrada - it has maps and prices of tolls

http://www.autostrade.it/pagine_1/english/e-homep.html

Thank u donnabee! -I know lots of people probally have similar intinZ and are watching this thread - I agree that the more reliable info the better -espesially for the 1st timers.

The water taxi's are pricey. I can't remember exactly but I think around 100 Euros from our hotel to the airport. The Water bus is more reasonable. You can get a 24 hour water bus pass which is nice and allows you to really see the city. (also 2 and 3 day passes) There are also rental cars near where the bus comes...I think that it is at Pizzalle Roma. They have hertz there ane a few other rentals. Depending where you stay that might be a good option. I know there is a launch from the airport that is cheaper...it leaves from near Piazza San Marco

New itin is definitely improved!!! It all depends on what you want to see - amazing countryside/towns or the many wonderful museums in Florence. If you're going to see art/architecture in Florence, it's all in a very small area within walking distance. But to drive into the countryside and meander around, a car is definitely worth it. We did the 3 cities, Rome, Venice and Florence, by train, and then picked up a car on the way out of Florence and went into the countryside. Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Looking forward to the report when you're back.

Motorcity - does this mean you won't be doing Rome at all?? How can you go to Italy and see Rome??

One last thing--if you're going to be doing lunch in the smaller towns...be careful that many restuarant kitchens may close by 2.30/3pm (including pizzerias). For example, we arrived in Montelcino too late last week for lunch, and ended up over-paying for salami sandwiches. If nothing else, find a small grocery store or supermercato and buy some fresh bread, cheese and wine and find a nice spot to have lunch! Have a great trip!

Bravo for a much more realistic plan! Of course you cannot see all of the major sights of Italy in such a short time. So you'll savor Rome properly on the next trip. Since you are taking a car, and will have seen one city, you might consider staying outside of Florence in a small town in the Chianti area. You could go into Florence one day if you want, but with so little time, you might want to tool around the countryside instead. Have fun.

Your new itinerary seems like it will be more pleasant for you timewise and the Tuscany driving added now justifies the car rental. (Most posters who suggested trains earlier know that for big city to big city, trains are more efficient.) Since you now plan to venture into the countryside, the car rental makes sense.

A water taxi from Marco Polo may cost $50-$80 depending on your hotel location. There is the Alaguna water bus, but for four people might come close to the same cost. The cheapest option is to take the bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma. From there you could get a vaporetto to your hotel. You may even be able to walk to your hotel as many less expensive hotels are in this area.

Have a great trip.