Hi everyone:

we plan to rent a car in Naples, take it to Sardinia on a ferry, then bring it back and return. Are we allowed to do that? Any ideas, please?

Call AutoEurope and ask them. They present a standard to which you can compare other agencies and their policies.

Thanks, Michael. I called and asked and we are fine.

Bringing a car on the ferry to Sardinia costs a bundle. You can rent a car in Naples, drop it off in Civitavecchia, right near the ferry dock, and take the ferry without the burden and cost of a car. You can the rent a car in Golfo Aranci, or Olbia, depending where the ferry docks. You can use the car in Sardinia and drop it off when you take the ferry back. You can the rent a car in Civitavecchia for your trip back. It sounds complicated, but it can all be arranged very easily here in the US. Besides, I don't know how your situation is, but making reservations for a car on the ferry is very difficult. In July and August, you need a lot of lead time. The ferry cost for passengers traveling without a car is very inexpensive.

We did try to do as you suggest--rent in Sardinia. We will be arriving to Cagliari, first, from Naples and drive to Golfo Aranci. Unfortunately, the choices of automatic cars in convenient locations are very limited--Cagliari airport or some place in the outskirts of the city. Who wants that? Then you have to return them in Olbia by 6 pm before the day of the departure etc. because we have to leave early in the morning and they won't be open yet. Last year in Germany it was very easy. We just left the car in the parking of the office when they were closed and that was it. But not in Sardinia.

Fortunately, we got a promotion from Corsica Lines and it costs us almost nothing to take the car back Cvitavecchia. We will pay only for one way for the car (Naples--Cagliari), so, on average, we are ok. This whole planning and choosing between alternatives has been so tiring, I just want to get done with it one way or the other.

I just showed to my family the link to Golfo Aranci that you sent and they were thrilled.

Do you have family in Naples? My wife has five sisters and three brothers living there. They are all Italians, but my wife was born in the US, therefore, an American. They all call her "L'Americana". We go there (and Sardinia) a couple of times a year.

No, we don't. We are not Italian but we love Italy, as a lot of people do. This will be our third trip to Italy and our first visit to Naples, Amalfi coast and Sardinia.