Has anyone driven from London to Florence (ish)? Any advice/points?

Question

Has anyone driven from London to Florence (ish)? Any advice/points?

Answer 1

I drove to Pisa some years ago , going via South of France, (Nice, Cannes, Monaco). When you get into italy expect the driving standards to deteriorate ( yes even compared to the French drivers). The Italians drive with their hand on the horn - don't give way for anyone - they are all Formula 1 drivers -every man for himself. The road signs can be confusing after the excellent signing in France. Make sure you check your route thoroughly before you go and have a good navigator!!

Answer 2

Oh yes, I definitely agree with the other 2 responses....in the UK drive on the left...once you hit France, then Italy, you must drive on the right.

Be prepared for anything and everything...Paris is a disaster area to drive through, but once you get out of Paris, it is smooth sailing (and quite beautiful!)  When you enter Italy, be on your guard...the Italians drive VERY fast (Mario Andretti types, all of them) and very erratically, LOL.  They DO enjoy their horns (as was previously stated), and they generally overlook most traffic regulations, so don't expect them to stop/yield for you.  Everyone thinks they have the right-of-way.

Just drive cautiously and conservatively, and you will be fine. Also, be aware that the parking situation is impossible, and if you do not know how to parallel park, you will be in hot water. Creative parking, that is the key...if you see an opening, pretty much grab it!

If you want to avoid all the chaos and arrive in Florence with your sanity intact, best to take a train...take the tube from London to Paris, then you can jump on the TGV and go from Paris down to Florence...

Bon Voyage!

Answer 3

A number of times. Now I live in Rome and have gone native.

Best tip you can get is don’t hurry, you have some very beautiful countries to see on the way. You can also choose between two routes, I’ve taken both: Paris, the Loire, Lyons and the whole of the South of France and San Remo, Genova, don’t miss Pisa, then on to Florence.

The other route is Flanders in Belgium, the German Rhineland, Switzerland, great Mountain scenery, Milan for shopping, the Emilian cultural gems (Parma, Reggio, Bologna and even a side trip to Ferrara), then Florence.

Ignore the Mad Max drivers on the Continent (Germans are just as speedy as Italians, but more disciplined) and keep to your own travel rhythm, it’s not a race like most Italians think.

Take your time and follow an old Maori tip to the question “how far is it to the next town?” – the old Maori “try singing on the way”.

Buon viaggio

Ps. Watch the traffic lights: in Milan “red” means “stop”, in Rome, it’s a good idea to slow down, in Naples it’s just a matter of opinion.

Answer 4

Left Hand Rule of the road here, And Right Hand Rule of the road there, Give way to your left!!!