Verona/Vicenza/Trieste--Best Place to Pick up Rental Car for Croatia
 

We will by flying into Milan next July. We plan to take the train to Verona or Vicenza as soon as we arrive and spend the night there. We will have very little time in the city, as we will head out first thing the next day to drive to Rovinj, so I am not too concerned with which town we select. We just wanted a nice town to wander around in for an afternoon and evening before heading to Croatia. We will either pick up a rental car in one of these two cities, or spend the night in Verona or Vicenza and train the next day to Trieste and pick up a rental car there.

I know from past experience we will still be getting our travel legs the day after our flight and want an easy pick-up spot. Can someone tell me in which city it would be easier to pick up a rental car? Is it easy to navigate out of any of these cities, or should we rent at the Verona airport?

Are you returning the car in Italy? It seems you can't return it in Croatia.

You might want to check this out:

http://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/index...ly-to-croatia/

Yes. We will be returning the car to Italy.

I should have mentioned that we will only be in Croatia for few days. We will be spending most of our time in Slovenia and the Dolomites. So we don't want to travel to Rovinj by ferry or bus. We want to have a car.

I would choose Verona -- good jet lag recovery town. Also will be convenient if you're returning the car to the same place after the Dolomites. Just make sure you let your rental car agency know you'll be taking the car to Croatia. They seem to only allow specific models to be hired for use there.

Thanks brdcollie. Do you know whether it is difficult to navigate out of Verona? Should we pick up the car at the airport?

I didn't find it difficult to navigate. I made a brief stop there while driving from the Dolomites to Bologna. Everything was well marked and I used a GPS that worked fine. Last year I had planned on picking up a car in Verona from Europcar to take to Slovenia, but end up using an agency out of Venice. I think Europcar had Verona offices near the city center and the airport.

How quickly do you want to get to your first hotel and just rest up, and how much do you want tranquility? Verona is closer, but it is also a significant town with sights, and will probably be quite crowded with activity. If you would prefer something quieter, and think you'd be up to the extra miles of Vicenza (and if you know there is a car office there), you might find it a more digestible experience and easier car rental logistics.

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...hitecture-food

In July you really need to nail down that air conditioning works where you are staying if you need air conditioning.

If you think you have it in you to get to Padova the first day, that is probably another possibility when it comes to car rental offices. I think Trieste might be pushing it, and it is not a car-friendly place.

Sandralist-many thanks again for helping with our trip plans. I am doing some more research and then need to pin down my husband about his preferences.