jamny
Footballguy
Yeah, we definitely hope to spend more time there one day. We parked in Vernazza, took the train to Riomaggiore, walked back to Manarola and took the ferry back to Vernazza. Just a great day.Cinque Terre was awesome...
Yeah, we definitely hope to spend more time there one day. We parked in Vernazza, took the train to Riomaggiore, walked back to Manarola and took the ferry back to Vernazza. Just a great day.Cinque Terre was awesome...
We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
I'd do dinner as that is a bit out of the way, but that's just me. You could easily do a day in Amalfi and Ravello and then have an awesome dinner up there.RUSF18 said:Thanks. Already bookmarked the restaurant. Those views are insane. Would you recommend lunch over dinner to take more advantage of the sites, or does it not matter?Sand said:Positano, yes. The hotel, no. We stayed at the Villa Rosa (same views as Le Sireneuse at a price about 1000% less). Loved the whole trip out there. Things I remember doing out there and would recommend to others:We're using airbnb for Rome and Barcelona which is saving us money and splurging a bit and staying here in Positano. Anyone been?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g194863-d621110-Reviews-Hotel_Buca_di_Bacco-Positano_Amalfi_Coast_Campania.html
http://www.bucadibacco.it/
Amalfi - great town, loved the church.
Ravello - the Belvedere of Infinity was awesome (took buses to get to Amalfi and Ravello - no problems)
Capri - we went straight up to Anacapri and got away from the crowds. Loved it. Went all the way to the summit. Walked back on the long stairway - that, also, was a great experience.
Best restaurant we went to was La Tagliata. Liked it so much we went twice. They'll send a car for you. It has about a thousand great reviews out there and for good reason. Definitely try the after dinner fennel liqueur. I think I can still taste the stuff burning away in my gut.
Capitol One doesn't charge overseas fees. And if you have a rewards card they often balance out. Just try not to let the cashiers ring things up in dollars. The exchange rate that way is a complete ripoff.DA RAIDERS said:you can also get a prepaid card set up. no worries about fraud etc.Chemical X said:a couple of more items.....check your credit cards to see who does and does not charge international fees for usage. also, let your card companies know you will be travelling abroad in advance.
We stayed in Capri during one trip. It was great to leave during the day and come back to hang out at night. Although taking the ferry ever time wasn't always fun. Did you do the Blue Grotto? Yeah, very touristy but it was cool in there.I'd do dinner as that is a bit out of the way, but that's just me. You could easily do a day in Amalfi and Ravello and then have an awesome dinner up there.RUSF18 said:Thanks. Already bookmarked the restaurant. Those views are insane. Would you recommend lunch over dinner to take more advantage of the sites, or does it not matter?Sand said:Positano, yes. The hotel, no. We stayed at the Villa Rosa (same views as Le Sireneuse at a price about 1000% less). Loved the whole trip out there. Things I remember doing out there and would recommend to others:We're using airbnb for Rome and Barcelona which is saving us money and splurging a bit and staying here in Positano. Anyone been?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g194863-d621110-Reviews-Hotel_Buca_di_Bacco-Positano_Amalfi_Coast_Campania.html
http://www.bucadibacco.it/
Amalfi - great town, loved the church.
Ravello - the Belvedere of Infinity was awesome (took buses to get to Amalfi and Ravello - no problems)
Capri - we went straight up to Anacapri and got away from the crowds. Loved it. Went all the way to the summit. Walked back on the long stairway - that, also, was a great experience.
Best restaurant we went to was La Tagliata. Liked it so much we went twice. They'll send a car for you. It has about a thousand great reviews out there and for good reason. Definitely try the after dinner fennel liqueur. I think I can still taste the stuff burning away in my gut.
I will look into that. I have read to pay for a rental here then get it there.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
Never stayed overnight, though it would be appealing to be there when all the daytrippers leave. Going straight up to Anacapri after arriving really got us away from all the tourists, though, so it was great. Did not hit the Blue Grotto. Did go to this church that had an amazing painted floor (they put a raised path across it so you don't damage it).We stayed in Capri during one trip. It was great to leave during the day and come back to hang out at night. Although taking the ferry ever time wasn't always fun. Did you do the Blue Grotto? Yeah, very touristy but it was cool in there.I'd do dinner as that is a bit out of the way, but that's just me. You could easily do a day in Amalfi and Ravello and then have an awesome dinner up there.RUSF18 said:Thanks. Already bookmarked the restaurant. Those views are insane. Would you recommend lunch over dinner to take more advantage of the sites, or does it not matter?Sand said:Positano, yes. The hotel, no. We stayed at the Villa Rosa (same views as Le Sireneuse at a price about 1000% less). Loved the whole trip out there. Things I remember doing out there and would recommend to others:We're using airbnb for Rome and Barcelona which is saving us money and splurging a bit and staying here in Positano. Anyone been?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g194863-d621110-Reviews-Hotel_Buca_di_Bacco-Positano_Amalfi_Coast_Campania.html
http://www.bucadibacco.it/
Amalfi - great town, loved the church.
Ravello - the Belvedere of Infinity was awesome (took buses to get to Amalfi and Ravello - no problems)
Capri - we went straight up to Anacapri and got away from the crowds. Loved it. Went all the way to the summit. Walked back on the long stairway - that, also, was a great experience.
Best restaurant we went to was La Tagliata. Liked it so much we went twice. They'll send a car for you. It has about a thousand great reviews out there and for good reason. Definitely try the after dinner fennel liqueur. I think I can still taste the stuff burning away in my gut.
you know, renting a car for experienced italian travellers is ok, but i am not sure of Cow's travel experience level. honestly, for 1 day i would try to avoid renting a vehicle and let someone else do the driving. man, sergio must be rocking if he is booked. assisi is great, but i dont think i would spend my day there on a first excursion.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
This one actually looks cool, up my wife's alley more since she does not bike.you know, renting a car for experienced italian travellers is ok, but i am not sure of Cow's travel experience level. honestly, for 1 day i would try to avoid renting a vehicle and let someone else do the driving. man, sergio must be rocking if he is booked. assisi is great, but i dont think i would spend my day there on a first excursion.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
how about a van supported bike/wine tour thru chianti?
these guys are super, i have used them:
http://www.ibiketuscany.com/tours/view/wine-ride
elizabeth miller is a great contact and she is on viber. ex pat.
we did a fully customized tour with them since we were coming from our house and were not in florence, but their wheelhouse is picking up in florence and providing van support. they basically bring a van to get you, drive you to the starting point and then follow you in a vehicle if you get winded or dont feell well. at the end, you get back in the van and they drive you back to the hotel. you can throw your bags and stuff in the van. we brought an extra t shirt and a soapy wash cloth, when we finished, we changed shirts and wiped down with the cloth. bikes were great and really, is there anything better than biking thru tuscany when its mostly downhill.This one actually looks cool, up my wife's alley more since she does not bike.you know, renting a car for experienced italian travellers is ok, but i am not sure of Cow's travel experience level. honestly, for 1 day i would try to avoid renting a vehicle and let someone else do the driving. man, sergio must be rocking if he is booked. assisi is great, but i dont think i would spend my day there on a first excursion.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
how about a van supported bike/wine tour thru chianti?
these guys are super, i have used them:
http://www.ibiketuscany.com/tours/view/wine-ride
elizabeth miller is a great contact and she is on viber. ex pat.
you know, renting a car for experienced italian travellers is ok, but i am not sure of Cow's travel experience level. honestly, for 1 day i would try to avoid renting a vehicle and let someone else do the driving. man, sergio must be rocking if he is booked. assisi is great, but i dont think i would spend my day there on a first excursion.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
how about a van supported bike/wine tour thru chianti?
these guys are super, i have used them:
http://www.ibiketuscany.com/tours/view/wine-ride
elizabeth miller is a great contact and she is on viber. ex pat.
i am always worried about the crowds and pilgramages going on. if the pope decides to pop in, traffic is horrific.you know, renting a car for experienced italian travellers is ok, but i am not sure of Cow's travel experience level. honestly, for 1 day i would try to avoid renting a vehicle and let someone else do the driving. man, sergio must be rocking if he is booked. assisi is great, but i dont think i would spend my day there on a first excursion.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
how about a van supported bike/wine tour thru chianti?
these guys are super, i have used them:
http://www.ibiketuscany.com/tours/view/wine-ride
elizabeth miller is a great contact and she is on viber. ex pat.
That trip was our first time to Italy, first time driving in Europe and my first time driving a manual car (outside of about a half hour learning on a friend's car back home before the trip) And no GPS. It was fun and an adventure. We also only spent about an hour or two in Assisi.
Excellent, a convertible from downtown Firenze for the day, about $200. I drove manual most of my life, barely got my first automatic a couple of years ago. My biggest fear is driving unwittingly into a no-drive zone and getting a huge fine. I have driven in crazy traffic before.i am always worried about the crowds and pilgramages going on. if the pope decides to pop in, traffic is horrific.you know, renting a car for experienced italian travellers is ok, but i am not sure of Cow's travel experience level. honestly, for 1 day i would try to avoid renting a vehicle and let someone else do the driving. man, sergio must be rocking if he is booked. assisi is great, but i dont think i would spend my day there on a first excursion.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
how about a van supported bike/wine tour thru chianti?
these guys are super, i have used them:
http://www.ibiketuscany.com/tours/view/wine-ride
elizabeth miller is a great contact and she is on viber. ex pat.
That trip was our first time to Italy, first time driving in Europe and my first time driving a manual car (outside of about a half hour learning on a friend's car back home before the trip) And no GPS. It was fun and an adventure. We also only spent about an hour or two in Assisi.
if you decide the rental route, we always use these guys. you can get a cheap fiat/smart car with automatic.
http://www.autoeuropa.it/newae/index_new.aspx
I got two tickets in Milan when I circled around trying to find our hotel and drove on the same bus lane twice. Camera caught me.The Via Chiantigiana is one of the most enjoyable motoring routes in Italy. It runs directly south from Florence to Sienna through the middle of the Chianti Classico wine zone of Tuscany, Italy
I was thinking more for identity theft issues. Any cc will work just fineCapitol One doesn't charge overseas fees. And if you have a rewards card they often balance out. Just try not to let the cashiers ring things up in dollars. The exchange rate that way is a complete ripoff.DA RAIDERS said:you can also get a prepaid card set up. no worries about fraud etc.Chemical X said:a couple of more items.....check your credit cards to see who does and does not charge international fees for usage. also, let your card companies know you will be travelling abroad in advance.
Love it! In a similar vein, me and some buddies went to the Vatican, one guy had a tank top on, no admittance. He was very upset claimed they knew he was Jewish and singled him out. Then a pigeon took a huge #### on his shoulder and back as it flew by. to this day we joke that the pigeons in the square are anti semeticGet in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
Love it! In a similar vein, me and some buddies went to the Vatican, one guy had a tank top on, no admittance. He was very upset claimed they knew he was Jewish and singled him out. Then a pigeon took a huge #### on his shoulder and back as it flew by. to this day we joke that the pigeons in the square are anti semeticGet in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
We stored our luggage at Naples without a problem early in the day and picked it up later in the day. Pompeii might be too small of a station to store your luggage at, though, if you were trying to store there instead of Naples. Obviously if you go this route, I would make sure your luggage is locked.Never had it answered, but at train stations, are there places to stash your luggage? If we were wanting to go to Pompeii on way back to Rome, for instance, to leave it in Naples.
Also, for money, they say to take a few hundred in $20's, but then just pull $$ out in Euros as you go with ATMs. Have you set up a prepaid debit card just in case for that, or just used bank card, etc.? How have you done the money in the past and how much as a rule of thumb were you planning?
For us, it was just an employee in a room, which is why the locks on your luggage is so important. There are enough unlocked bags that the thieves will go for the easy scores if/when it comes to that. Even a simple lock is enough of a deterrent.My only worry about keeping luggage at a train station is that train stations are hotbeds for pickpockets and thieves. I guess if they have lockers or something it's cool, but if it's just an employee keeping it in a room like at a hotel, I'd be nervous.
So what would you do in my situation? Take a chance on the way back to Rome, or take half a day while in Sorrento? I am leaning towards Sorrento.Chemical X said:the train stations have lockers and I think, manned baggage storage, but I don't know if I would use them....I am not very trusting. I do know that Pompeii at the porta marina entrance has free bag storage. once again, not sure if it is manned or lockers. I can't help with money, I actually have an italian bank account with unicredit. I used to bring 100-150€ and tried to avoid charging to skirt the international fee. if you use a card for cash it may be treated as a cash advance on top of other fees by your bank. also! some of the machines are italian only and I got nervous putting the card in and thinking I may do something to lose my card. I would bring cash and charge bigger purchases on a fee free card. also! research the VAT tax refund and if you make a big buy, be sure to get the tax back. VAT is now 22%!
for trains, I buy in advance. trenitalia has an english version. I think first class gives you assigned seats and other classes are first come first serve.
I thought it was pretty neat. And they have a restaurant where you can sit outside and look over at the Vatican while you eat. Wasn't great food or value but it was kind of a neat experience.BTW anyone visit the
Castel Sant'Angelo? Looks cool, right outside the Vatican, but only gets 1 star from Rick Steves. I am not going to get any castles this run, so thought it might be cool to visit.
what would i do in what situation? the baggage store thing? oh, i see what you are axing. what i would do is the same i have mentioned before, hit roadtoitaly.com and contact them. see about a ride leaving amalfi/sorrento for a tour of pompeii (rouhgly 2-3 hours), then see about about them driving you up to rome. you can then leave your bags with the driver and not worry about the trains. or, you can see about the ride to pompeii and tour leave the bags with pompeii thru the marina gate. i am sure you aren't the only people visiting with bags. just make sure you hit the official pompeii gate and bag drop, not a random dude that will likely approach you outside the gates.So what would you do in my situation? Take a chance on the way back to Rome, or take half a day while in Sorrento? I am leaning towards Sorrento.Chemical X said:the train stations have lockers and I think, manned baggage storage, but I don't know if I would use them....I am not very trusting. I do know that Pompeii at the porta marina entrance has free bag storage. once again, not sure if it is manned or lockers. I can't help with money, I actually have an italian bank account with unicredit. I used to bring 100-150€ and tried to avoid charging to skirt the international fee. if you use a card for cash it may be treated as a cash advance on top of other fees by your bank. also! some of the machines are italian only and I got nervous putting the card in and thinking I may do something to lose my card. I would bring cash and charge bigger purchases on a fee free card. also! research the VAT tax refund and if you make a big buy, be sure to get the tax back. VAT is now 22%!
for trains, I buy in advance. trenitalia has an english version. I think first class gives you assigned seats and other classes are first come first serve.
I am trying to register for this site, since it says you have to register to reserve, and it says my date of DL issue is out of range. Problem is, it is out of range no matter what I put in.Excellent, a convertible from downtown Firenze for the day, about $200. I drove manual most of my life, barely got my first automatic a couple of years ago. My biggest fear is driving unwittingly into a no-drive zone and getting a huge fine. I have driven in crazy traffic before.i am always worried about the crowds and pilgramages going on. if the pope decides to pop in, traffic is horrific.you know, renting a car for experienced italian travellers is ok, but i am not sure of Cow's travel experience level. honestly, for 1 day i would try to avoid renting a vehicle and let someone else do the driving. man, sergio must be rocking if he is booked. assisi is great, but i dont think i would spend my day there on a first excursion.Get in a car and drive. We drove from Rome to Assisi, through Perugia, had lunch in Siena and drove back down through Montepulciano to Rome, with a couple of other stops along the way. Long day, it was dark when we got back to Rome but it was an amazing drive. Beautiful country.We would love to get out into Tuscany that Saturday. What would you suggest to do that?I've never had any desire to do an organized tour.
If you can somehow manage to see Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, I highly recommend it. As an art fan, the only thing that compares is the Sistine Chapel. The walls are completely decorated with some of the oldest Pre-Renaissance frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue. Unfortunately my wife couldn't get in because her skirt was too short.
tip: some places will do that for short skirts or exposed shoulders. An old nun scolded my wife near the Vatican. I still tease her for it, pointing like the old lady did and saying in her haunting voice..."toooo shooort"
how about a van supported bike/wine tour thru chianti?
these guys are super, i have used them:
http://www.ibiketuscany.com/tours/view/wine-ride
elizabeth miller is a great contact and she is on viber. ex pat.
That trip was our first time to Italy, first time driving in Europe and my first time driving a manual car (outside of about a half hour learning on a friend's car back home before the trip) And no GPS. It was fun and an adventure. We also only spent about an hour or two in Assisi.
if you decide the rental route, we always use these guys. you can get a cheap fiat/smart car with automatic.
http://www.autoeuropa.it/newae/index_new.aspx
We pick up the car at a downtown office, but will head straight out from there. I know there is a downtown auto fee on the rental, which is interesting. Our whole intent is pick up car right as opens, work down to Siena, work back up through Tuscany, maybe along coast, return car just before close.Just know that you cannot drive in downtown Florence. That makes cars a pain in the ### there.
when driving in italy, if you think it will take 1 hour, budget for 2 hours. the roads are generally 2 lanes, windy, etc.We pick up the car at a downtown office, but will head straight out from there. I know there is a downtown auto fee on the rental, which is interesting. Our whole intent is pick up car right as opens, work down to Siena, work back up through Tuscany, maybe along coast, return car just before close.Just know that you cannot drive in downtown Florence. That makes cars a pain in the ### there.
No vino for us, but maybe for the pizza, have a recommendation? Which tix to order? Got the Firenze card, will buy Roma pass there. Still need to get the Vatican and Borgese.that tuesday in Pompeii i would look into The fabulous winery mastroberardino. maybe a lunch tour? if not, herculaneum is near Pompeii. grab pizza in naples? make sure all tix are ordered. and i would try For euros now.