We'll be in Rome for a week and would like to take a day trip to Assissi - there are 6 of us - any chance we could rent a van? Do we need to book way in advance?

Hello Tom, Yes, you do need to book in advance. Try www.autoeurope.com for a good qoute or www.kemwel.com. <BR>The pick up point in Rome will be a key factor---the drive will take about 3:15. <BR>Good luck !

Tom, <BR> <BR>I rented a van from Autoeurope earlier this month - - the vendor was europCar and the vehicle was a Fiat 9 passenger. They're a little spartan, but no specific complaints about it otherwise. There are also 7 passenger "minivans" - - might be suitable if your three smallest passengers are under 50 pounds apiece, perhaps - - and if everyone has 20 pounds luggage or less each. <BR> <BR>I requested the "downtown" location - - which is Via Lombardia, 5 <BR>Tel: 011 39 06 487 127 4 <BR> <BR>To make our departure from rome a little more "streamlined", I went and picked up the van right when they opened. This was a borderline mistake. As you already know, no doubt, thee are very few places to park in Rome (in our case, the Centro Storico). I thought I knew where I would keep the van for the day (of our departure) - - but it lacked sufficiant overhead clearance for the van (height about 2.20 meters). <BR> <BR>So we went to the giant underground parking facility of Villa Borghese - - a modest taxi ride there and back to get it when we were ready to use it. <BR> <BR>I think that the drive to Assisi was a little more like 2:35. Interestingly, Assisi (which you would think is a praking nightmare) was hardly any problem at all. We parked 10 feet from the door at the Hotel Fontebella (thanks, Wendy "saveurlavie"). <BR> <BR>If you plan to do this as a true day trip, be aware that it will cost you a ton. AutoEurope (and most other companies, broker or otherwise) are geared to three-day rentals minimum. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

<BR>Rex: <BR> <BR>Was wondering how you found the drive out of Rome from the Via Lombardia location? I posted a question on this a week or so ago and received no "firsthand" replies. I'm still debating on squeezing six people with carry-ons into a 7-passenger minivan or opting for the 9-passenger minibus. We would be travelling from Rome on the A1 north to an area outside of Montaione. Was it difficult getting out of the city to the Autostrada from this location? I'm trying to make this as painless as possible. Any additional comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

A seven passenger minivan in europe would only work (in my opinion) IF three or more of the passengers are under 50 pounds (i.e. age 7-8 or less) AND if each passenger has about 20 pounds luggage or less. <BR> <BR>Or maybe if you are prepared to put the luggage on the roof (which is not the worst idea in the world - - I have dome this before). <BR> <BR>And, as I posted above - - I didn't drive DIRECTLY from the Via Lombardia location - - went to the Villa Borghese underground parking first, then at departure time, went back down via del Corso to pick up the rest of the group. From there, it wasn't too hard to exit Rome; sorry I don't remember actual streets we used - - I thought that we would use Nomentana, but picked up on signs to the A1 that led us to a shorter route. <BR>