Mark V

My fiancee and I will be in Italy for our Honeymoon in August. We need to get from Rome to Florence (leave Rome on Monday, arrive Florence Thursday). Would it be better to rent a car and drive to Florence, stopping along the way in the Tuscany area (Sienna, Pisa, etc.) or should we take a train and make stops along the way? <BR> <BR>I have heard some pretty scary stuff about driving in Italy and this will be my first trip over there. <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR> <BR>Mark V

Liz

Hi Mark, <BR>My husband and two young daughters did the drive from Florence to Rome last summer and it the driving was fine. If you want to really experience Tuscany you have to let yourself get a little lost on those amazing country roads! You must rent a car since you have a few days to meander about. We are planning another trip for 2001 and plan to rent a car again, without one you simply miss too much. Have fun!

Ed

Just to get to Florence, the train is the best way. But to visit the countryside on the way over a few days, the car is much to be preferred. Virtually all is accessible by public transport, but you'll see much more in limited time, more conveniently, with the car. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

Michael

We did the drive from Rome to Florence. The ring road surrounding Rome was kind of scary. The Italian motorists drive rather fast. But once you make the turn off the ring road and head NE towards Florence it is quite easy. We arrived in Siena a nice place to spend for lunch and walking around...and it breaks up the driving...Then proceeded to Firenze (Florence). Of course it is a chgallenge finding your way but you are in a vehicle. If you arrive in Florence by Train...now you are on foot to handle your luggage and to negotiate with a taxi-man. Do your homeowrk, have good maps...and you should be fine by car. The best thing about the car is this---you might see a small town on a hillside from the train or from the car. Only with a car will you be able to go check it out.... <BR> <BR>arriverderci... <BR>Michael

graziella

I would take a car, whatever yoy take why don t you stop in Orvieto, this is a really beautiful town,....

TC

My wife and I just got back 2 days ago from Italy and drove the trip you state in reverse. I absolutely recommend driving. I would pick out one or two towns to stop at on the way and arrive in Tuscany at night. We loved Assisi. You can drive to S.G. (which I felt was just a big tourist town) or seina or settle into a even smaller town yet.

Bob

My wife and two nephews where in Italy this March. We all love the cities and the people. We flew to Rome than took a train (Eurostar) to Venice and than Florence. We paid a little extra to gaurantee first class. The trains are modern, clean, and you can spend the time talking and looking at the country side. Once you get to a new city, you will want to walk to experince everything. If you need to rent a cab or a rental car at a particular city, they are available.

maxine

Definitely rent a car if you're allowing yourself three days to reach Florence.You can stop in charming small towns instead of just the primary stops that the train makes.We did the drive and you just have to drive fast. The Italians have little patience for slow drivers and will blow their horns and flash their headlights at you. Be prepared to get lost when you get off the autostrade--but that's half the fun!