Any advice on renting a car in Rome and driving to Tuscany to tour the area. Dangerous?

Question

Any advice on renting a car in Rome and driving to Tuscany to tour the area. Dangerous?

Answer 1

You're going to need an international driver's liscense.  

As to dangerous: more so than in other European Countries.  I've driven in 8 European countries and Italians, by far, were the craziest drivers.  DON'T drive in rome, whatever you do.  They literally are insane in that city.  Catch a taxi out of the city area and get a rental car there.

Get used to using the horn.  On surface streets in Italy it's basically part of the driving experience.  If you don't know how to use it right, you're going to be pushed around alot.

Drive towards the right shoulder.  Italians on surface roads between cities like to use the middle line as a quasi-suicide passing lane, turning many surface roads into three lanes with "chicken" style passing.  I recommend not engaging in passing this way unless the oncoming road is really totally clear.

Utilize the Autobans (or whatever it is they call them in italy, i've forgotten).  They're quick and efficient and have more strict rules that the Italians follow better.  In other words, it's a relaxing repreave from the chaos of surface street driving.  

Plan your routes.  Know how to get into and out of any cities you want to see.  Park your car in one central place in a city and then walk or use public transportation to see the sights.

Practice parking in small spaces.  Even in a european smaller sized car, they don't make incredibly big parking spots.  Sometimes manuevering takes a little finesse.

Answer 2

Not really. try to book ur rental car at a site away from downtown (toward the north end of the city). Rome traffic is legendary for its awfulness.

Tuscany and central states are quite pleasant to drive through.

Make sure u have an international drivers license- available at any AAA office.

Answer 3

no

Answer 4

we rented a car and had no problems driving around italy, we did it for a whole week!  we picked our car up at the airport since it was easiest to return it to - using auto europe.  get the smallest car possible for the number in your party.  it will make it easier to get around the towns and through the small areas.  

the biggest thing you need to remember is patience.  it can be confusing to navigate through the cities.  once you are out on the open road it is so easy to find your way.  the autostrada was a ton of fun to zip along!  read up on what the traffic signs mean before going and really study for it.  itll make things a bit easier.  also, when you park try to find somewhere you can easily remember and is clearly marked for parking.  

get the international driving license, its worth the $10 at AAA.  and take some time and map out your general travel plans using michelin road maps online.  they give alternate trip plans, scenic plans, and trips that have tolls and do not use the toll road.  

if you just relax, take your time, and just be patient you will really enjoy the freedom you get from having a car to drive around.  we got to see so much more on our trip by having the car than if we stayed in the cities and did the trains.  some of my fav places were the random places we came across.  

a car i highly recommend is the smart forfour.