Trying to help friend plan Italy at last minute....
Aug 29th, 2012, 06:02 AM
#21
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I agree with stracciatella that they will surely be able to drive around easily in many areas in Italy. I personally love just a little bit more the countryside of Umbria than that of Tuscany,(don't get me wrong, I visit both regions nearly every single year) as the Tuscan countryside is wilder and more foresty (still lovely though). The Umbrian countryside hills seems to be more greener and gentler. Both are lovely though in their own right. Orvieto is in the Umbrian region, not in Tuscany, in the provence of Terni, and Umbria as a region in most areas is closer to Lazio where the city of Rome is.
Stracciatella, it is tru that some Tuscan hills are not mountains, but many are more nerve-wrecking to drive than large mountains ranges in Italy like those of Abruzzo,Abetone, the Dolomites or Alps). The hills would be hight & steep, you have to drive swerving all the time up a very narrow winding road, often these roads do not have barriers and lights, and in the Wintertime (we always make a visit to these regions in Winter) they may also be slippery and icy. Who has been to towns like Volterra and Abbadia San Salvatore would know what I mean. Of course many medievel towns like for example, San Gimignano are so easy to access.Iwould base myself in Terni area, mabe close to Orvieto, maybe just a few kms more to the north toward Assisi, and stay there throughout the 4 nights. It would be an easy one and a half hour's drive back to Civitavecchia. From there, I would be able to reach towns and drive around countryside of both southern Tuscany,provence of Siena and Umbria to the east,provence of Assisi, and around the Terni provence (the Marmore Waterfalls are lovely and so is the surrounding countryside to the north, and of course the unique medieval city of Assisi. You would even be able to reach Montepulciano and Casole d'Elsa, both really lovely medieval towns, and maybe even Siena. I would not find accommodation as far as Florence, so that they would have an easy and short drive back to Civitavecchia. Like in Terni area, it would be less than an hour and a half's drive, plenty of time to reach Civitavecchia by 5pm for sure.
On one particular holiday we were close to Foligno near Assisi in Umbria, and our flight left at 3pm from Fiumicino. We left around 9am and were already in Rome at 11am, we drove close to city centre in Rome near the Coleseum and had some lunch there and then drove to the airport. I am sure that if they leave in the morning they will be in Civitavecchia by noon. It is a very easy drive - if they do not choose a hilly location or in the small mountain ranges.
dutyfree - These travellers have 5 nights at their disposal, not just an overnight stay, as many cruisers have. They will have plenty of time to recover from jetlag and get used to the Euro. Not everyone gets so overwhelmed with Europe that they lose their passports for sure. But I can understand that many lean on tour leaders, especially some elderly who do tours to have everything spoon-fed for them. My mum is one of them. I went just once with her on a tour when I was in my twenties, and it felt so stiffling to have to follow the whole tour group, and to be told all the time what to do by the tour leader. Of course, there are people who panic and others who are calm and polite and don't.
In fact in one of our recent holidays, there was a tour group on our flight, and just after landing and were about to reclaim our luggage, the leader told the group that now they should all go to the loo before boarding the coach!!! It sounded so funny!!
I always book holidays around a month (or even less) before and always managed to organize everything well, and find accommodation. But I guess it is all psychological, as like if I would be going to another continent, I would probably want things planned more in advance. But they have more than enough time to book a hired car and accommodation, and plan their 4 nights.
I would not know about jetlag ( we always travel around Europe, never to other continents, so the longest flight for me was less than 4 hours to Scotland. But many Americans mention this, and as dutyfree remarked, they would have had a sleepless night in travelling and they would really be tired for sure. So maybe I would stay in the airport hotel for just one night, have a rest in the morning, and then take the free shuttle in the afternoon to central Rome. Alternatively,they can drive straight away, but they would have to go to rental office and pick up car, set GPS, orientate themselves etc before taking off. It might be tiring after a long flight. I do think that 4 nights to tour the countryside would be enough for them. I would hire car from Fiumicino airport - it is very easy to drive from that location since they would be staying at the airport hotel, no need to do the extra hassle of having to train to Orvieto and hire car from there, wasting both time and money.
Stracciatella, it is tru that some Tuscan hills are not mountains, but many are more nerve-wrecking to drive than large mountains ranges in Italy like those of Abruzzo,Abetone, the Dolomites or Alps). The hills would be hight & steep, you have to drive swerving all the time up a very narrow winding road, often these roads do not have barriers and lights, and in the Wintertime (we always make a visit to these regions in Winter) they may also be slippery and icy. Who has been to towns like Volterra and Abbadia San Salvatore would know what I mean. Of course many medievel towns like for example, San Gimignano are so easy to access.Iwould base myself in Terni area, mabe close to Orvieto, maybe just a few kms more to the north toward Assisi, and stay there throughout the 4 nights. It would be an easy one and a half hour's drive back to Civitavecchia. From there, I would be able to reach towns and drive around countryside of both southern Tuscany,provence of Siena and Umbria to the east,provence of Assisi, and around the Terni provence (the Marmore Waterfalls are lovely and so is the surrounding countryside to the north, and of course the unique medieval city of Assisi. You would even be able to reach Montepulciano and Casole d'Elsa, both really lovely medieval towns, and maybe even Siena. I would not find accommodation as far as Florence, so that they would have an easy and short drive back to Civitavecchia. Like in Terni area, it would be less than an hour and a half's drive, plenty of time to reach Civitavecchia by 5pm for sure.
On one particular holiday we were close to Foligno near Assisi in Umbria, and our flight left at 3pm from Fiumicino. We left around 9am and were already in Rome at 11am, we drove close to city centre in Rome near the Coleseum and had some lunch there and then drove to the airport. I am sure that if they leave in the morning they will be in Civitavecchia by noon. It is a very easy drive - if they do not choose a hilly location or in the small mountain ranges.
dutyfree - These travellers have 5 nights at their disposal, not just an overnight stay, as many cruisers have. They will have plenty of time to recover from jetlag and get used to the Euro. Not everyone gets so overwhelmed with Europe that they lose their passports for sure. But I can understand that many lean on tour leaders, especially some elderly who do tours to have everything spoon-fed for them. My mum is one of them. I went just once with her on a tour when I was in my twenties, and it felt so stiffling to have to follow the whole tour group, and to be told all the time what to do by the tour leader. Of course, there are people who panic and others who are calm and polite and don't.
In fact in one of our recent holidays, there was a tour group on our flight, and just after landing and were about to reclaim our luggage, the leader told the group that now they should all go to the loo before boarding the coach!!! It sounded so funny!!
I always book holidays around a month (or even less) before and always managed to organize everything well, and find accommodation. But I guess it is all psychological, as like if I would be going to another continent, I would probably want things planned more in advance. But they have more than enough time to book a hired car and accommodation, and plan their 4 nights.
I would not know about jetlag ( we always travel around Europe, never to other continents, so the longest flight for me was less than 4 hours to Scotland. But many Americans mention this, and as dutyfree remarked, they would have had a sleepless night in travelling and they would really be tired for sure. So maybe I would stay in the airport hotel for just one night, have a rest in the morning, and then take the free shuttle in the afternoon to central Rome. Alternatively,they can drive straight away, but they would have to go to rental office and pick up car, set GPS, orientate themselves etc before taking off. It might be tiring after a long flight. I do think that 4 nights to tour the countryside would be enough for them. I would hire car from Fiumicino airport - it is very easy to drive from that location since they would be staying at the airport hotel, no need to do the extra hassle of having to train to Orvieto and hire car from there, wasting both time and money.
Aug 29th, 2012, 08:26 AM
#22
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I am sorry, but it is hard for me to follow these long posts. I am sorry I wrote a long post too.
If people stick out a hand full of euros or lose their passports in the lavoratory, they are better off in a small Italian town, not in Rome.
I understand why people are suggesting to stay in Rome. But I don't think it is the answer.
These people don't want to see all of Italy. They don't want to see Rome. They want to drive around the countryside. That's what they should do. They should bring an international driver's permit. They should get some sleep before they drive.
If people stick out a hand full of euros or lose their passports in the lavoratory, they are better off in a small Italian town, not in Rome.
I understand why people are suggesting to stay in Rome. But I don't think it is the answer.
These people don't want to see all of Italy. They don't want to see Rome. They want to drive around the countryside. That's what they should do. They should bring an international driver's permit. They should get some sleep before they drive.
Aug 29th, 2012, 08:39 AM
#23
good points, stracciatella.
they could get a train to somewhere nice, have a good sleep, then rent a car and spend a few days exploring. it doesn't need to be complicated.
BTW, why wouldn't you go to Orbetello in the Autumn? [i have only been in May, and apart from the sea temp which was a bit chilly, it was wonderful]
they could get a train to somewhere nice, have a good sleep, then rent a car and spend a few days exploring. it doesn't need to be complicated.
BTW, why wouldn't you go to Orbetello in the Autumn? [i have only been in May, and apart from the sea temp which was a bit chilly, it was wonderful]
Aug 29th, 2012, 08:47 AM
#24
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Wow...I knew all the great Fodorites could give their different perspectives on this question with wonderful answers. I am just checking back in as yesterday was crazy for me.
I am thinking of just having this old friend ...who I now will confess to you all... is my ex of 20+ years...(not sure anyone would think I was out with an "agenda" against him if I had posted that at first)... read these posts for some ideas and help.
Their cruise is a re positioning cruise so they will not be seeing that many cities as they will sail for Galveston....16 days.
All your answers will give him and his wife better direction as they sort this out. It is a good thing this travel is a bit at the outside of the high tourist season so they may get some reservations without too much trouble.
Again thank you to all who took time to write in response and especially those who had such detailed ideas. This will surely help them you all are great!!!!
I am thinking of just having this old friend ...who I now will confess to you all... is my ex of 20+ years...(not sure anyone would think I was out with an "agenda" against him if I had posted that at first)... read these posts for some ideas and help.
Their cruise is a re positioning cruise so they will not be seeing that many cities as they will sail for Galveston....16 days.
All your answers will give him and his wife better direction as they sort this out. It is a good thing this travel is a bit at the outside of the high tourist season so they may get some reservations without too much trouble.
Again thank you to all who took time to write in response and especially those who had such detailed ideas. This will surely help them you all are great!!!!
Aug 29th, 2012, 09:14 AM
#25
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annhg
Too much chance it can rain for days in October on the Tuscany coast. It is nice to go to Tarquinia if it is raining and see the museum, but there is not a lot of things to do in that area when the weather is not nice. In the touristic hills of Tuscany where they make wine, there are many shops or spas and famous churches or wine cellars if it rains. Also, the food in Tuscany is very nice in October, with pumpkins and soup and chestnuts.
Too much chance it can rain for days in October on the Tuscany coast. It is nice to go to Tarquinia if it is raining and see the museum, but there is not a lot of things to do in that area when the weather is not nice. In the touristic hills of Tuscany where they make wine, there are many shops or spas and famous churches or wine cellars if it rains. Also, the food in Tuscany is very nice in October, with pumpkins and soup and chestnuts.
Aug 29th, 2012, 09:30 AM
#26
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Here's a thought - overnight @ airport then take the train to Santa Margherita. Beautiful seaside town w/easy train access to the Cinque Terre & boat access to Portofino. They could easily spend all their time there & enjoy themselves immensely - without a car
