bilboburger - My original plan had us renting the car for 11 days. Today's rate is $703 for a 4 door economy. That isn't too bad. I am concerned that our luggage will fit with anything smaller. We will have two large bags. It was closer to $1000 a couple of weeks ago. My insurance company here (USA) does not cover me in Italy, either does Amex. However, my United Visa provides some coverage for the car only. We don't need an automatic. I wish I could find a groupon or coupon - perhaps closer to the trip. AE requires payment up front - I really don't want to do that so far ahead of our trip.

dale - thanks. That is still the price now. I was hoping to spend a little less since I don't need the GPS for everyday use.

Lynn

That rental price sounds very high to me. Who are you checking with? I'm another who has had very good experiences and rates with rentals through Autoeurope.

Dayle - Yes - I just did a search with Autoeurope and adding all the extra coverage, the quote was $450. I just didn't want to pay for it now. I may have to though- that's a big difference. I am going to call them tomorrow and get all the "fine print"

Perhaps it is because I rent cars in Italy, but when I book a car with AutoEurope and later change my mind, I don't get charged for the rental -- provided I call AutoEurope prior to the date of pick up.

Suggest you call AutoEurope directly and get the details.

Sorry -- last line should have read that it's good you're calling.

sandralist - exactly. I don't mind giving them my card, but a 6 month pre-payment seems unnecessary to me.

Thanks for the nice words. Again, I'm glad if my reports were helpful in any way. It seems there are not as many GPS choices offering European maps now as there were when I bought mine in 2011. No doubt it's because of all the good smart phones available now. But like you, I prefer a GPS to a smart phone when I'm in Europe for the same "old dog - new tricks" reason. HA!! I have a hard time understanding the GPS's attempt at pronouncing some of the street names and a lot of the time I have a hard time trying to drive and look for the street names on the side of buildings or wherever they happen to be. If I couldn't look at the map to see exactly where I should turn I think I would end up in Turkey too.

You might be able to do the microchip option that Happytrvlr recommends cheaper than this but I did find a Garmin online for about $175. I did not do any research to see if it gets good reviews or not and I have not bought anything from the GPS Store so I know nothing about it either but here is a link.

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-Nu...ope-P3531.aspx

Lyn,

If it helps, I booked my last rental with Autoeurope months in advance too. I called because I wanted to pick up and drop in what were uncommon locations. As my trip approached, I checked with Hertz directly and found better rates - twice. Both times Autoeurope matched the rate when I asked.

Dale - Thanks. Its not that I think I can get a better rate later ( although that would be great) I just don't want pre-pay so far in advance. I'll do it in May or June. AE definitely has goods rates though.

Update: It is just about 3 weeks until we begin this journey! I have been reading everything and anything on here for the last few months.
We have a rental via Autoeurope for $494 including all the extra coverage for a mid sized car.
All the restaurants are booked - although the Piedmont area was a huge challenge. We are visiting two wineries and some Enotecas to taste the area's wine. We booked a private tour of Balbianello while in Bellagio. We have decided to scrap the Bernina Express. I bought skip the line tickets for St. Mark's Basilica and I was able to get last Supper tickets in Milan on our last day. Whew!

We are almost ready! My last task is to decide if we should splurge on a water taxi to our B & B or take some sort of public transportation when we arrive in Venice.
I would like to take the water taxi, but I don't know if it can bring us right to B & B Al Teatro. If not, it doesn't make sense to spend all that money. We will each have one large pullman and only one carry-on.
Can any of you comment on taking the Alilaguna water bus or the land bus and vaporetto? I read somewhere that it is a 20 minute walk at the airport to the Alilaguna stop and then a very long ride to San Maria Giglio stop.
All suggestion appreciated.