Hi
My wife and I wish to travel to Italy September/ October 2013 having been there for a few days four years ago on a Trafalgar tour. We particularly want to visit and preferably stay for say two nights in Cinque Terra and we would like to tour for about three / four days in and around Florence. We would probably fly in to Rome and leave from Milan.
We live in a rural part of New Zealand and we drive on the left hand side of the road. Whilst I am a competent driver and have driven in Australia and the UK at sixty eight I am not too sure about driving in Italy on the "wrong" side of the road. Any thoughts on how easy/ hard this might be. Or any suggestions on alternatives which are not too costly.

Trains are well connected and reasonably priced in Italy. It doesn't matter if you are a great driver or not, considering the cost of gas, that parking is difficult and there are areas in some cities where you are not allowed to drive, taking the train is often easier and better. From Florence, you can easily bus or train to many places. You do not need to drive except for perhaps to visit very small towns in Tuscany. If you are not doing that or not touring the countryside, then you have no need for a car.

Thanks for that.

I cannot comment on public transport as we usually have a car. We are Australian and DH drives for us. He finds that after the start where he needs to concentrate it becomes normal [ on our return home he found himself driving up our street on the wrong side of the road]. Having a car gives you flexibilty if you are out in the country but in cities not so. So you need to see what suits you.

Are you going to be staying in Rome as well? If you just want to see the Cinque Terre and Florence, you could fly in and out of Milan or even Genoa. We just came back from Tuscany, Florence and the CT. We only used a car in Tuscany, where it really helps. You can easily train from Genoa to the CT and then to Florence. You would not want a car in the CT or Florence as the towns are pedestrian and public transit is great. If you're flying into Rome and seeing Rome, then you can get a train to Florence from Rome Termini train station. We flew into Rome and stayed in Orvieto for two nights (took the train there). Lovely town and nice B&B Ripa Medici.

We are both 65 but are still hikers. All of the CT trails were closed due to landslides when we were there in mid-October, but our innkeeper Lorenza recommended a nice hike from Volastra to Corniglia for us. About 2 hours and not too strenuous. We were planning to take the boat to Portovenere, but the choppy seas cancelled the boats that day.

Even if you don't hike, you can enjoy traveling by train or boat to each little town and exploring them on foot. We stayed in Riomaggiore at Casa Lorenza and loved it. See my trip report if you want more information, and have fun on your trip.

Thank you for your help rhon and leslieq. Was it difficult driving in the Tuscany region? We particularly want to visit small towns and villages any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Kennet,

It was not difficult driving in Tuscany, but it was a little difficult at times finding the directions. You really have to have someone navigating and someone driving. It would be very difficult, though, not having a car to be able to visit the many little towns. I wouldn't hestitate renting a car. I only wish that we didn't drop the car off at the Florence airport. We found the rental car return really hard to find and were very frustrated with the lack of clear signs. I would return the car elsewhere, depending on where you're based.

You do not need a car for cinque terra. They are well connected by train. Concur with other poster...if you are not stopping in Rome, fly into Milan or Genoa. The travel distance will be better to the areas you mention.

Agree in general that it is better to avoid the hassle of driving if you can...which has nothing to do with the side of the road you drive on. But that's just my preference.

>>>we would like to tour for about three / four days in and around Florence.<<<

Many surrounding towns can be reached by train or bus. It just depends on which towns you are interested in. You do have to plan your days a little more if you are using public transport (many rural buses don't run on Sunday).

Options starting in Rome:

Train to Orvieto for a few nights. Train/bus to Montepulciano or Pienza. Bus from either to Siena. Bus from Siena to San Gimignano or Chianti.

Sena bus from Rome to Siena (3 hours no changes). From Siena you can reach a lot of other towns (including Florence).

Sulga bus from Rome to Assisi. Sena bus from Assisi to Siena or a lot of buses to surrounding Umbrian towns.

Options for Florence:

Train or bus to Lucca, Pisa, Siena,San G., Volterra, Chianti, Bologna, etc.

Map of buses mostly south of Florence.
http://www.sienamobilita.it/mappe/Mappa_EXT.pdf