Candy asked 6 anni ago
Hi Elena
I like reading travel blogs and have been loving your blog very much. It is so informative and full of interesting tips! I can now finally plan our own trip to Tuscany. I’ll be travelling with my husband to Italy for around 15 days in the last two weeks of July.
I just started my planning – we’ll probably start from Venice for two days and then head to Florence by train. I have read a lot of comments about the parking in the big cities and the traffic conditions along Amalfo coast which may not good for rental car traveling?
So I am struggling whether we should drive in Tuscany only or for our whole trip in Italy covering also the routes from Florence down to Naples, the Amalfi coast and areas (and perhaps Rome as well). We would be open to join local tours in Amalfi if the driving conditions are not favorable to tourists’ rental cars.
Also for cities like Pisa and Siena, should we take a train from Florence or visit there during our road trips around Tuscany? will we not be able to find a parking lot in those areas during summer in July?
Would you please give me some suggestions? Thank you in advance
Candy
elena nacci Staff answered 6 anni ago
Italy is best explored by car and driving conditions are not unfavorable to tourists’ rental cars, but much depends on you. If you like driving and are used to it, no problems! Of course sometimes there can be more traffic, and that is true especially for Florence. Parkings are everywhere and you’ll always find parking lots, though in main cities like Florence and Siena you’ll only find paid parkings.
I’d recommend taking a train from Venice to Florence though, and in case Florence is your base to explore Tuscany, I suggest going around by train or take some organized tours. Take a look at these tips on using Florence as a base in Tuscany and these day trips from Florence. Pisa and Siena can be conveniently reached by train from Florence Station. A car is particularly recommended in case you’re stying in the Tuscan countryside, there’s to better way to appreciate the Tuscan landscape than driving through it.
I would take a train also to reach Amalfi and in case Rome. Driving in Rome is really chaotic! just get there by train. While to explore the Amalfi coast and areas a car is necessary if you’re not joining local tours.
In case you need any further help, just ask!
elena from Florence
Candy answered 6 anni ago
It’s Friday and I can finally get some time to plan my trip again …
I have some further questions:-
1) I’ll rent a car from Florence near train station to travel around Tuscany. I note from some website that we should follow instructions from the car rental agency on how to get out of the center and back in for car return. For the day I we return back to Florence to return the car, shall we have to arraive at a precise time or our license plate is taken off the fine list for having entered the ZTL area on the whole day I suppose to return our car?
2) We will drive to Pisa and Siena for a day trip. Where would be best for us to park our car which is convenient to the points of attractions and outside the ZTL zones?
3) My hubby and I usually do some hiking during our travel. Do you have any easy to moderate hiking routes with nice scenery to recommend? I’m thinking to walk from Montepulciano to Pienza … Do you have any other suggestions?
4) I’m also thinking whether I should stop by Bagno Vignoni? Do you think it’s worth spending half day or even staying overnight there? It seems too hot to do a terme spa in summer though 😉
I’ll likely skip Rome this time … but will sign up some tours to Amalfi coast and area. Any good agency to recommended?
Thanks again for your help. I think I’ll have more questions when I get to have my itinerary planned in more details …
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