Please help with our Italy plans for September 2011. My husband and I are celebrating some important milestones this year. My husband is turning 50 and two days later it is our 30th wedding anniversary. Yes, we married very young, but it has been wonderful. This will be our third visit to Italy. We are traveling with another couple who have been to Italy once on a very brief visit. Our plan so far is to travel to Rome where we will stay 2 nights at Albergo del Senato. We will then go to Sorrento for 5 nights and stay at Hotel Minerva Sorrento. We want to see Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Then we travel to Tuscany and are staying 5 nights in Montepulciano. I don’t know what I want to do there other than a day trip to Florence to see David, tour some wineries, and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are staying at Locanda San Francesco. After Montepulciano we travel to Venice for 2 nights where we will stay at Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo where we will then fly home from Venice. We have been to Rome and Venice twice before so that is why we have such short stays there.
We need help with getting from place to place. I know we need a car for Tuscany, but other than that should we take trains? Any big misses here? I wish we were able to spend more time in Florence, but we will save that for another time. What are your favorite day trips in the Tuscany area?
Thanks in advance for your help. I appreciate any advice you can provide.

Nice trip and good hotel choices.
Day trips into Florence from that location will not be easy.

I would get my car in Sorrento and drive to Tuscany. The options are too much hassle. I would also drive to Venice and drop the car there. With 4 people it just makes more sense.

We will spend a week in Montepulcinao in May. There is a ton to see and do in that area for 4 days--including a day in Siena rather than Florence. Have fun--you have a good start.

Thanks Bob. Sounds like we will have to save Florence for another time. I will look forward to hearing about your Montepulciano trip in May.

Where do you get the best rates for cars? What size do you recommend for 4 people?

Thanks again.

It has been years since we stayed there, but Hotel Minerva in Sorrento is one of my favorite hotels that I've stayed in. I hope it is still as nice as when we were there. We were so lucky and got the suite that is all by itself with a private terrace on a separate level from the rest of the hotel, but the whole hotel was lovely with a beautiful terrace and spectacular views. I hope your memories from there are as happy as mine.

Taking a boat down from Sorrento to Positano is a great way to see the coast.

If you like to dance, go to the Foreigner's Club in Sorrento. Their outside dining and dancing area overlooks the bay of Naples and is very romantic at night. They have bands most evenings.

You may not have time, but Herculaneum is very interesting and while I haven't been yet, Paestum is considered a great archeological site.

Go to the Foreigners Club in Sorrento even if you don't like to dance ;-) we had a wonderful dinner there enjoying the view and the music.

We caught a bus from Sorrento to Positano with the plan to come back on a ferry, the day was beautiful but it was deemed to rough (further out obviously) and all boats were canceled. Very disappointed, but we did go to the Isle of Capri, another day and it was magnificent.

Sassafrass-thanks! Your trip sounds wonderful. Thank you for your suggestions. Paestum--we heard about some people that visited ruins on the Amalfi coast and ate dinner there. Could Paestum be that place? I will check out the Foreigners Club. Sounds fun!

Aussiedreamer=thank you! Definitely have to check out the Foreigners Club! I WISH my husband liked to dance. He is an engineer. Do any engineers dance? haha We definitely want to go to Positano, Capri and Ravello too!

With 4---as we will also be---I suggest a mid-size wagon. You will need the extra space in back for luggage


DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE

Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors

Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is www.autoeurope.com [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, mandatory insurance coverage with some deductibles, and VAT taxes. It is wise to compare prices and coverage with their sister company at www.kemwel.com. Autoeurope will match any comparable quote, and are famous for their customer satisfaction if problems do arise with the vendor. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.

Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.

OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.

NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $15. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.

Fantastic Bob! Thank you so much. Your kindness in helping us is greatly appreciated.

mauitammy,
My husband and I are planning a similar (but shorter) trip in April, 2012..............I tend to start my planning early!
We're planning on Venice, Rome, and Sorrento.
Are you flying into Rome and out of Venice?
I was thinking of flying into Venice and out of Naples.
I know it's too early for me to look at flights but I like to explore my possibilities.
I'll be looking forward to hearing how you liked the hotels you chose!
Thanks