janisj

sandralist: If you'll notice -- stCirq specifically posted on the thread you linked . . . that a <U>7 passenger</U> van is doable but that a NINE passenger van (which is what AnaAP is hoping to rent) is a whole different animal . . .

So maybe a little accuracy is in order . . .

janisj

was posting the same time as StCirq . . .

janisj

oh - and sandralist, what are your other screen names????????

sandralist

Here is more testimony from another website from people who rented vans and didn't have a problem fitting in luggage and parking the car or driving it.

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...85/m/993101146

One tip is to ask all your passengers to bring luggage with soft-sides. It will fit better than hard sided luggage.

sandralist

I don't have any other screen names. I just registered when I saw this post. I thought it was terrible information. What I also thought was bizarre is people kept switching numbers about how many times they had been in vans this big or that big. Sometimes it was one number and other times it was another number.

But the threads all have the same pattern, even the one from the other website. People post not to do it, but people who have actually done it say it isn't a problem. AnaAP can read that for herself.

What is wrong with me giving her that information? You people are being really nasty to her and me for no reason. I hope she has a nice trip.

janisj

sandralist: You obviously have some axe to grind - at least have the courage to use your 'real' screen name, not the new one you created half an hour ago . . .

StCirq

Have you ever rented a 9-passenger van in Europe, "sandralist?" What's your direct experience? None, is my guess. Why are you even bothering with this thread if you have no direct experience? Why do you care? And for a first post on Fodors? Do you think you have any credibility whatsoever? Do you want the OP to get to Europe and not be able to transport his crew adequately?

janisj

sandralist: You obviously have some axe to grind - at least have the courage to use your 'real' screen name, not the new one you created half an hour ago . . .

janisj

sorry for the double post - we were posting at the same time and the site locked up.

sandralist

Wow, you 2 are berserk! My name is Sandra List. I don't have an ax to grind. I am correcting the wrong information that is being given to somebody.

Here is what the Fodor's poster GeoNev wrote (I doubt that is anybody's real name but I believe the post is accurate:

"As for expecting a 9-seat van to hold 9 people, I have rented these vans perhaps 10 times in Italy and they've always been large enough for nine people. Same in France (maybe 30 times)."

St Cirq posted in that thread and didn't call him or her a liar.

Here is what the same poster wrote after the trip was successfully completed:

"Back from Italy, and all went well. ..For the doubters out there – we certainly did fit nine people, plus luggage, into a 9-pax van and got around quite well. It was baffling to me how many people thought this could not be done."

I am baffled too!

Here is what other people wrote on the Slow Travel site (where I frequently post)

"FOr 8 passengers (plus one driver), you will need one of the following vans:

* Fiat Scudo

* Opel Vivaro / Renault Trafic (They are the same van)

* Fiat Ducato

Of the three, the Fiat will have the best ride, but lacks in storage space and will be a little cramped for 8 people.

The Opel Vivaro or Renault Trafic will be much larger and still has a good ride. They have a long version and a short version. The long version will have more than enough room for everyone's luggage, too.

The Fiat Ducato is big and clunky. It rides like a truck with bad suspension. I would avoid it.

Most rental agencies have these vans, but you will need to get them out of a major city, and reserve WELL in advance.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I have driven all of these and loaded them with our tour guests with our smaller tours. 2 years ago we decided to buy our own (we were spending $18,000 a year with a rental agency!), and we decided that the long version of the Opel Vivaro was best for us.

Hope this helps


I hope it helps the poster who asked too. Isn't that all that matters?

janisj

aha - you own a tour company . . .


Thought there was something fishy going on.

rialtogrl

Janis, I think Sandra was quoting a thread from slowtalk.com not saying SHE has a tour company.

Here's the post she is referencing.
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...0346#389100346

janisj

OK -- then there is something even <i>fishier</i> going on . . .

teachandtravel

I agree hit Pompeii as early in the day as possible because it gets very hot there and you need several hours there. No need for a guide there if you need to cut out a cost. It is easy to navigate on your own with a map or guide book.

DebitNM

<i>My name is Sandra List......Here is what the Fodor's poster GeoNev wrote (I doubt that is anybody's real name)</i>

Only a fool or someone with an ulterior motive would use their real name on a message board! Your pick, sandra.

kybourbon

>>>BVLENCI, if we stick with just Tuscany, do you think driving the van to Pisa and around Chianti will be a problem then? <<<

Driving the van to Pisa will be a problem as Pisa has ZTL.

As for 9 passenger vans, some are bigger than others and there is no predicting what you will get.

With your itinerary, you should do as others have suggested and visit Pompeii as a day trip. It's easier/simpler. It also eliminates a 5-6 hour drive (Pompeii to Chianti).

It actually would make more sense to stay in Rome 3,4,5,6 (with a day trip to Pompeii although you really don't have much time for one) and Florence the other nights (with day trip to Chianti/Pisa). If you are arriving Rome on an overnight flight, you will be too tired the first day to see much. You really only have 7 sightseeing days total.

Sassafrass

Kybourbon makes sense. Also, Pisa is a very easy train trip from Florence. After being stuck in auto traffic one Spring afternoon leaving Pisa, returning to Florence, and a miserable traffic tie-up near Naples, we take the train when we can.

Some people do drive vans around. Hey, they even drive big buses - think huge tour buses. However, they are limited in where they can go and where they can park. They may have special permits that allow them to load and unload, then go to a parking area. On a tour I was on, the bus had to let us off several blocks from one hotel. There are some narrow streets where large vehicles simply will not fit, and many where you are not allowed to drive unless you live there. Only you can decide if having a van will work better for you than two cars or using public transportation. It depends on where you are going and what kind of van you can get.