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Everyone loves Italy! From the stunning sites of Ancient Rome, to the art of Florence and the pizza of Naples, there are too many things to love! In Rome, don't miss the Vatican city, the Colosseum, St Marks, the Spanish steps, and at least a window shop down Via Condotti. In Florence, soak up a sunset over the River Arno from the historic Ponte Vecchio, check out the Galleria dell'Academia and the unforgettable Duomo. The wonders of Venice need no introduction.

 

A less favoured tourist destination is Naples. While petty crime is common, and socio-economic indicators are lower than in the wealthy, industrialised north, don't overlook the south. The persistence of agriculture in the south means you'll find the best tomatoes in the world around Naples (though some would argue these are found in Sicily.) Naples has a character and vibrancy unbeaten by other Italian cities, with young studs and their signorinas (and pets) cruising around on their little motorini, far too cool for anyone's good. The pizzas in Naples are incredible. Simple dough, aforementioned tomoatoes, basil and buffalo mozzarella. The best you'll ever eat, guaranteed!

 

Driving

Italy rewards car rentals and self-drive holidays. The Tuscan countryside, the Amalfi coast and the foot hills of the Italian Alps all provide incredible scenery for driving. The south, including Sicily, offers charming pastoral scenes. The food and charm of the tiny villages you can only explore with your own great value Italian car rental is justification enough. Too many visitors zap around from Venice to Florence to Rome and out again. While they are wonderful cities, you haven't really been to Italy if you've only done museums and churches with all the other tourists. Get out into the countryside, and meet a local.

 

Italy is served by a network of excellent roads and highways, not to mention the autostrade, or superhighways, which are toll roads. The tolls can add up if you're travelling long distances, so if you're not in a hurry, get off and take the slower, more scenic route on secondary (but still excellent) roads. Also, note that that drivers frequently exceed the speed limits, which can be alarming and somewhat dangerous. The blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, and it is compulsory for all passengers to wear seatbelts. Travel is on the right hand side of the road, and apart from 24 hour service stations on autostrade, many gas stations are closed on Sundays. It is mandatory to use headlights at all times, including the middle of the day, when driving on main roads and highways throughout Italy.

 

It must be said, however, that driving your Italian car rental in big cities is not a great idea. Traffic can be heavy, and driving in Rome is alarming, especially from the carabinieri! Parking can be difficult, and navigating in streets thousands of years old can be confusing. Many cities have introduced Traffic Restricted Zones (ZTL) and at variable hours of the day. Fines can be levied on vehicles in the ZTL who don't carry the appropriate permit. In cities, park your Italian car rental in the hotel, and hit the footpaths and local public transport in cities, saving the self-driving for the countryside or inter-city journeys. Contact the hotel in advance to check the ZTL arrangements and whether they provide parking. Better yet, collect you car from the airport or train station on your way out of the city, when you've done the churches and museums and are ready to hit the countryside.

 

Food

Italy is rightly famous for its wonderful food, though some adaptations in our home countries mean it's necessary to take care to seek the authentic in Italy. Italian food is heavily regionalised, and you should try much more than pasta and pizza. Creamy dishes, risotto and polenta are more common in Tuscany and the north. Try osso bucco in Lombardy near Florence, white asparagus and game meat near Venice and in the Trentino-Alto Adige region near Austria, soups with dumpling-like gnocchi.

 

In the south, tomato-based dishes prevail and there is less use of meat. Olive oil is preferred over the butter used in the north. Octopus is popular, as is the gorgeous spaghetti and clams, dressed only with olive oil, parsley and a little garlic. Other robust flavours of the south include anchovies and capers, represented in such dishes as pasta puttanesca. Try stews, casseroles, unusual green vegetable soups and whatever is made of market fresh produce. Don't just look for a replication of the Italian food you would eat at home!

 

Accommodation

Italian accommodation ranges from camp grounds in summer, through hostels and homestays, through self catering villas, to luxury hotels. There are standard business hotels, and the truly luxurious boutique hotels, something for every budget. However, accommodation certainly hits a premium in July and August. It is important to book ahead. If you can travel in late September or early June, you should still enjoy some warm weather, with cheaper prices, less tourist traps, less tourists to line up for museums, and a much wider choice of accommodation options.

 

We have a whopping 348 pick up locations in Italy. Please select your car rental pick up location from our booking engine or by clicking on the 'Book' link above.

 

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