Driving in Italy

lauratkd

HI all

Thinking of a 2 week holiday around the northern (ish!) part of Italy around end of July start of August... Thinking of renting a car and spending a few days here and there - any suggestions as to where I shouldn't be missing. Doesn't have to just be the regular tourist cities - anywhere nice

Sorry if thats a bit vague!! I know it'll be really hot but we don;t have any other option for time. We were in Sorrento and Rome last August and survived the heat!

Thanks!

Jagera

I'm just back from 2 weeks around Venice and Lako Como.

Both were great, I would take in either Lake Como or Lake Garda or both.
Lake Garda - a place called Sermione was really good.
Lake Como - the roads are really tight and windy around the lake. I'd stay in Como, Bellagio, Menaggio or Varenna. Plenty of boats will get you around the lake its better than driving.

phog

If you like mountains head for the Dolomites. I stayed on Lake Garda and the drive around is fantastic too, do it in both directions and take your time stop at the towns and villages.

lauratkd

Thanka a million - that's great! (I've loooked up Sermione so far and it looks gorgeous!)

What I'm thinking now is flying into Venice and then travelling to Lake Garda, Lake Como and then onto Milan. Is this enough for 2 weeks or is there anywhere else I could try and fit in??

olaola

We stayed in a great place in Sirmione, http://www.meubleadriana.it/
The guy who ran the place was really nice. They give you free parking, and it's actually IN Sirmione, a lot of the places are on the road to the village. And a bit of a walk away.

Venice is REALLY worth a trip, it's not far from Lake Garda. We also really really liked Turin. I'd defo go back.

Cinque Terre is possibly the most beautiful place I've ever been. It's one of those 'have to visit before you die'. I think you'd defo fit it in your two week trip (we fit in all this, incl the drive through Belguim, Germany and up through France in two weeks!)

scout353

A related query - am heading to Italy twice in next two months and will be renting a car both times. The websites say an International Driving Licence is required but I've seen this before for other countries and never needed it in the end.

Is it the same in Italy? I have my full Irish DL!

olaola

scout353 wrote: »

A related query - am heading to Italy twice in next two months and will be renting a car both times. The websites say an International Driving Licence is required but I've seen this before for other countries and never needed it in the end.

Is it the same in Italy? I have my full Irish DL!

They're only a fiver: http://www.aaireland.ie/travel-insuranceone/idp.asp

Anyhoo, you might not need it:
http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=418

You must hold a full driving licence to drive in Italy. Ensure that you have a valid Irish or international licence. If driving an Irish registered car, ensure that it is fully insured and that you carry your logbook, proof of insurance and NCT certificate (if appropriate). If you rent a car, you should also carry your rental contract at all times. If you are driving a car belonging to someone else, you may be asked to present written permission from the owner.

undo

The International Driving License is a thing of the past when it comes to intra-EU business. Like so many things in the EU, this has been harmonized. All you need is a valid full (not learner's!) EU license. An International Driving License might still be required from those coming to the EU from the outside - or those from the EU traveling outside.

Chiorino

We stayed at Lake Garda having flown into Bergamo. Found it a nice central location for Venice and Milan. Some great driving all around the lake too, spectacular scenery. In the cities, be prepared. Locals are really impatient. They get up to some serious speed on the motorways too.

cml387

Just beware there are some rules in Italy that don't apply here for driving.
A hire car will have the necessary vehicle documents which must be carried in the car.
If you neeed to stop on the side of a dual carrigaeway you must wear the high vis jacket supplied.
If you wear glasses you must carry a spare pair.

phog

Another thing..I think there's a clock (stricker on the windscreen) that you must set when parking in certain areas (around Lake Garda anyway), this gives the traffic warden/cops your arrival time.

sse

Whats it like driving in Rome...hoping to drive from the main train station in Rome to Sorrento. Would be leaving on a Sunday morning so hoping the traffic wouldn't be bad. Any experiences as to what to expect....good or terrifying???

SeamusG97

olaola wrote: »

We stayed in a great place in Sirmione, http://www.meubleadriana.it/
The guy who ran the place was really nice. They give you free parking, and it's actually IN Sirmione, a lot of the places are on the road to the village. And a bit of a walk away.

Venice is REALLY worth a trip, it's not far from Lake Garda. We also really really liked Turin. I'd defo go back.

Cinque Terre is possibly the most beautiful place I've ever been. It's one of those 'have to visit before you die'. I think you'd defo fit it in your two week trip (we fit in all this, incl the drive through Belguim, Germany and up through France in two weeks!)

Just back from Cinque Terre - absolutely agree with olaola. If you like hillwalking it is a paradise.