As per a previous post, I wondered if we should adjust our itinerary to accommodate friends who are joining us in Italy. I'm proud to say that I am sticking to my original (semi-roughed out) plan.
We (4) will fly to Rome for four nights, then down to either Positano or Amalfi for three nights, then on to Tuscany for five nights. They will then fly home and we still have a week to go further north.

My question is should we rent a car upon departing Rome (at the airport)and drive to Amalfi coast. We might just park the car for two days and use the bus while there. It seems it would be cheaper than trains and hired drivers and then we could just drive to our destination in Tuscany. It would mean we would have to drive on the road to Positano, but I don't think it would be a problem. We would be there between the two holidays of April 25 and May 1. I have given them strict instructions as to ONE midsize suitcase per person so I think we won't have any trouble with a car rental. Thanks

4 people and 4 suitcases? Are you getting a large car? And are you defining "midsize" suitcase to everyone? What if everyone takes a 26" bag - will all 4 fit in the trunk. Probably not. It would be a stretch to fit 4 24" suitcases in a trunk.

Don't forget about carry-ons and a few bottles of wine.

RFBK50: Seriously, be careful regarding your selection of a car. Even a station wagon with 4 people and luggage is a stretch, and in the south of Italy, you don't want your bags to be exposed in the back of the car.

Irregardless of the size of the car, if you want to do both Amalfi and Tuscany, you should rent a car when you leave Rome. Public transportation is available in the Amalfi area, but it is not very reliable or predictable during holiday times. We were in Sorrento over Easter weekend a few years ago and the locals will tell you that the busses run, but nobody knows when. If you don't mind driving the Amalfi coast, get a big enough car and just do it.

Is someone comfortable doing the driving and navigating? That would be the deciding factor to me.

For myself I find traveling by train and public transportation much more relaxing than worrying about renting a car & driving in a foreign country (that's just me).

Softsided luggage, like duffle bags, are easier to squish into the trunk of a car.

Hi rf,

> We might just park the car for two days ...<

Have you arranged for parking with your hotel? IIRC correctly, Positano is mostly pedestrian zone.

For 4 people and 4 "medium suitcases" you will need a large car.

Seems like some people don't understand limited room and when you say one small or medium-sized suitcase, they think that doesn't apply to shopping bags, totes and who knows what else.

One word: minivan.

You will be glad...

Hello rfbk50

Regarding car size with 4 people...

This past March, we rented an intermediate sized car from National (in Paris). It was a Citroen.

The trunk easily fit our four 21-inch suitcases and our four smaller bags that we each used for carry-ons. One of our traveling companions also had a CPAP machine in another bag. All of these fit into the trunk.

Happy travels!