Rome to Calabria

Old Feb 19th, 2002, 08:09 PM
  #1  
GR
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Rome to Calabria

My wife and I, who have never been to Italy, will be in Rome for 6 nights in March. I would love to get to San Giavanni di fiori in Calabria to spend a day looking for some of her relatives. I htought that it might be possible to take a very early train south to Cosenza and rent a car to drive inland to San Giavanni di fiori, get a room for the night and then retrace this route in the morning.
Is this possible or totally nuts? Should we content ourselves with seeing some of Rome?
Thank you.
 
Old Feb 19th, 2002, 08:48 PM
  #2  
jan
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GR, I don't know exactly where this place in Calabria is, but I can tell you that a whole gaggle of relatives and myself did a similar trip a few years ago. We took a train from Rome to Reggio di Calabria, taxid over to the airport there and picked up a rental car which we then drove to the other side of the peninsula to the town of Siderno onthe Ionian coast. It was a little nerve-wracking at times, especially since we arrived well after dark and had a little trouble finding the hotel, but all in all it was a great trip.

After a few days there, we then drove up to Sorrento, then back to Rome to fly out. I highly recommend it. Finding your roots is important. Just be prepared to deal with road signs that are sometimes none too understandable, but people who are very helpful. It is a rugged land, but beautiful. You will never regret it.
 
Old Feb 24th, 2002, 05:15 AM
  #3  
GR
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Jan,
Thank you for the feedback. This town is about 1/3 the way down from Rome and a bit inland. Your experience may sur us to it!
 
Old Feb 25th, 2002, 01:38 AM
  #4  
Steve James
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Hello GR,

Your journey time to Cosenza is about 5.5 hours.
The earliest train leaves Roma Termini at 07.10 and arrives at Cosenza at 12.35, with a change of train at Paola.

Alternatively, if this doesn't allow you enough time - have you thought of travelling overnight?

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

 
Old Feb 25th, 2002, 05:47 AM
  #5  
GR
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Steve,
Thank you very much for your very helpful response!! Do you know if there are overnight trains running to Cosenza? Would it be diffcult to rent a car in Cosenza to then drive to San Giavanni di Fiori? Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Geoff
 
Old Feb 25th, 2002, 06:48 AM
  #6  
Steve James
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There is an overnight train leaving Rome (Roma OSTIENSE Station) at 01.15.
With a change of train at Paola (06.27), you arrive at Cosenza at 07.35.

The drive to S.G is 37 miles.

Hope this helps ...

Steve
 
Old Feb 25th, 2002, 07:08 AM
  #7  
GR
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Steve,
You have been more than helpful!!!
Two more questions, since you have had more information than I could possibly have hoped for, can you recommend a car rental company, should I make a reservation before leaving the US, and do i need to get any special permit or license to drive in Italy? Also, would it be foolhardy to just rent a car in Rome and drive the entire way?
Most gratefully,
Geoff R
 
Old Feb 28th, 2002, 12:49 AM
  #8  
Steve James
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Geoff - There are 2 car-hire companies which list offices at Cosenza StationBR>HERTZ - www.hertz.it/indexen.html
MAGGIORE - www.maggiore.it
Others have agencies in the city.

You will normally get a better rate by booking in the US, I believe.

Driving from Rome? Well, - it looks like a 750+ miles round-trip to San G in F. Sounds like a rush in 2 days ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve
 
Old Mar 14th, 2002, 05:18 AM
  #9  
GR
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Steve,
Thanks yet again.
Geoff
 

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