spk

I am traveling between Rome and Florence in June and want to take the hi speed train from Rome to Florence, and then rent a car in Florence and drive thru Tuscany and return the car in Rome. Can you please suggest a reliable car rental? Also, do I need reservations for the hi speed train? Your help has been invaluable. Thanks!!

rex

Start with autoeurope.com - - they may be the only hame you need to know. If you nt to omparison shop, try kemwel.com or travelocity.com or its-cars-hotel.com just to name a few.

Note that autoeurope does not rent cars; they are a <i>broker</i> and they will place you with Avis, National, etc (any of the big chains) at rates lower than you can get on your own. And calling autoeurope.com often gets you a better rate than going through their website (find the telephone number there).

The high speed train servie from Rome to Florence takes 95 minutes and runs 15 or 20 times a day. Every seat is reserved, and you get your reserved seat whe you buy your ticket, whether you buy 10 minutes before departure ( I would advise 20 minimum) or 20 days before departure. See trenitalia.com for schedule details and fares.

Best wishes,

Rex

spk

Rex, thank you so much. Another question, if I reserve the train but miss it (if my flight is delayed) can I use the same ticket for a later train, or would that be a problem?

rex

It is a problem. There is a specific seat reserved for you. It will travel empty. They can't resell it, right? They will sell you a new <i>reservation</i> at some smaller fraction of the price. I don't know the rules on seeking a chance to your reserved seat (i.e., date or time) and how far in advance you can change it or cancel it without penalty.

spk

Then perhaps I should just buy my tickets (3 of us are traveling) when I get there. My flight from JFK to FCO arrives at 7:15 AM, if there are no delays. Any opinion? Rex, thanks for your help!

ira

Hi sp,

&gt;My flight from JFK to FCO arrives at 7:15 AM,...&lt;

You will definitely make the 11:30 ES* to Florence.

If you are early, you can have a cuppa at the self-service cafe in the Rome TE train station, and settle into the Italian rhythms.

If you are very early, you can change your reservation for about 3E.

Train schedules, prices and tickets are at www.trenitalia.com

For car rental, also check www.novarentacar.com.

simpsonc510

I might suggest that you get full coverage insurance when you rent your car (this may be mandatory... not sure). The little hilltop towns in Tuscany are FANTASTIC but their little streets can be very challenging to maneuver. A small car is good. We've had some minor mishaps with our car in our many trips to Italy, and when we have full coverage, there are no questions asked. FYI..the street had a sharp turn and our car was too wide to make the turn without scraping.. ugh.. nothing major but it does make you cringe when it happens. Memories of Nat'l Lampoon's European vacation. It CAN happen, and when it does, you hope to be covered.