Hi all,

We are headed to Italy in May and have 1 last day to plan. I would really like to do Stu Dudley's driving tour which he calls Tuscany – Val d’Orcia (Day 13 on his Italy post). We have 3 issues:

1. Last time we were in Pisa 6 years ago we got a parking ticket that we never paid (I think it was about $35). Since then we moved twice and now live in another state with different driver's license numbers. My husband is afraid he will be "caught" and arrested in Italy (he was arrested once in his 20's for an outstanding parking ticket in Boston - guess it was a traumatic experience). So, how do we contact Pisa to figure out how to pay this? or do we not bother since we live in a new state with a new icense (although our passport numbers are obviously still the same). I have no idea who we rented the car from back then....

2. The last time we rented a car to go from Florence to Pisa and Siena we ended up not speaking to each other for half the day. The ride out of Florence was quite traumatic for me. I would have gotten out an walked but my husband wouldn't stop the car. Once we got out to the countryside, things were fine....

3. I got 3 quotes for a driver so we could avoid the car rental and a 8-6 day is about $1,000 ($700 Euros). So that's out....

The night prior to the tour we will be staying in either Orvieto, Pienza or possibly Florence; and after the tour we will be spending the night in Florence.

So I was thinking that if we could clear up the parking ticket issue, we could then rent a car in Orvieto for the day (assuming we stay there), follow Stu's itinerary and then return the car to Orvieto, then take a train to Florence.

What do you think? Would it be less stressful taking a car from Orvieto? I have never been there but it sounds much smaller than Florence and what do we do about the parking ticket?

Six years later I would forget about the parking ticket. I doubt very much that the Pisan police have a wanted poster with your husband's photo on it--they surely have more important things to worry about.
The vicinity around Orvieto is much less chaotic than Florence--I take the train to Florence if I absolutely have to go there and you can do this from Orvieto.
Driving in the val d'Orcia is easy--just watch out for the wild boars (at night) and sheep on the roads.

Don't go back to Orvieto to return the car. Chiusi is closer to Stu's driving tour and you can catch the train to Florence there.

Invest in a GPS with European maps to keep the marriage happy. Learn how to use it before you go.

Also the best paper maps you can get before you leave home.

Thanks all! Great tips especially the alternate train station return & GPS system (do you think it will work in that area? I live in the White Mountains of NH and very few roads are on my car's GPS).

Stu recommends specific maps & guides so I will try to get those before we leave.

adnil, you said
>2. The last time we rented a car to go from Florence to Pisa and Siena we ended up not speaking to each other for half the day. The ride out of Florence was quite traumatic for me. I would have gotten out an walked but my husband wouldn't stop the car.<

Are we related? I have been in the "stop this car because I am getting out and taking a bus/train/walking right now" situation. Once, right here in Pennsylvania.

Since being arrested in Italy (for speeding, and not an old parking ticket) my husband is much easier to get along with in rough driving situations.

Anyway, don't take your car anywhere near Florence, as you have already figured out. Pienza and the entire area are very easy to drive around.

I'm renting a car myself in Orvieto and heading north in Umbria. I haven't figured out where to leave the car, but maybe just might bring it back to Orvieto to get the train to Rome.

This post is more chatty than helpful, I realize, but you are on the right track.

What maps does Stu recommend? We use a large spiral Michelin Italy road atlas. It is pretty good, but not perfect.

Thanks! Wow - sounds like you've had an interesting Italian driving experience!

Stu recommends: You will need the Touring Club Italiano map of Tuscany to follow this route. Also, obtain the Michelin Green Guide to Tuscany. If anyone wants to take walks in this area, get the Carta Turistica e Stradale – Val di Chiana, Val d’Orcia map. They have it at the bookstore in Pienza.

If you want to send me your email address I can forward his suggestions to you. We have followed many of his San Fran suggestions and have has some unique off the beaten path experiences that we never would have done on our own.

You mention that you are renting a car In Orvieto. Have you booked it already? Which car company are you using?

Thanks again for your post!
-Linda