Nicoletta

Does anyone know the prices of car rental in Tuscany...are they standard cars only or can I rent an automatic...I don't know how to drive standard! <BR> <BR>Should I also rent a car for Venice...what do you guys think...I am travelling beginning fo Septemebr for two weeks but starting in Rome and ending back in Rome to fly back to Toronto. <BR> <BR>Nicoletta

elaine

<BR>Hi Nicoletta <BR>I'm a little unclear about your question regarding Venice, but if you are asking if you should rent a car to use in Venice, the answer is an absolute no. <BR>Venice is a no-cars, no land-vehicle city. You get around via boats and shoe leather. <BR>The prices of car rentals are best obtained from the companies: I only have toll free numbers in the US but perhaps you can use them from Toronto: <BR>Avis 800 331 2112; Hertz 800 654 3001; <BR>Budget 800 472 3325; and Kemwel 800 678 0678. As other recent postings have mentioned, you can request, even reserve an automatic car, but it may or may not be there when you go to pick it up. Most European rental car locations have very very few automatic transm. cars, and if they're out of them when you get there, you're out of luck. <BR>If you have a car as you approach Venice you'll have to park it at Piazzale Roma which is often full I'm told, or at Isola del Tronchetto. You can also leave it at Mestre.

Emmanuelle Morgen

Hi, I lived in and toured Tuscany for a year during college and I would suggest <BR>you use the trains for several reasons. <BR>One, driving on the freeways in Italy is <BR>very very frightening because the Italians drive way too fast. The rail system there is efficient for all cities. There is also a beautiful little rural steam engine that takes you through the hills from Florence or Milan to Marradi, a little Tuscan town known for its walnut and hazelnut produce. I think they actually have a festival there in September or October. <BR>Also, the train is a great opportunity to meet people. However, I would definately rent a car to take a drive into the hillsides for one day, or two. Just avoid the freeways! I don't know exactly how much it would cost to rent a car but it is certainly more expensive then getting a Eurail Pass.

Gary

Just got back from Italy. We rented a car in Florence and used it to do a few day trips into Tuscany. It was a great idea, really saw some pretty countryside, and I would recommend it. We used Avis, the price for 4 days was around $250. You can rent standard or automatic, but automatic is more expensive. We rented standard, but they upgraded us to a really nice BMW automatic, don't know why. Do not bring a car near Venice, nowhere to park, nowhere to drive it. Enjoy!

mwg

I would always rent a car. Assuming a lesisurely trip, it is great to explore the back roads or visit a town because it looks nice from the main road. Many towns are not reached by railroad. Railroads tie you to timetables. It is a luxury that I will always use (as long as I can still afford it). I was a student in nice and drove to Venice so that I could use my car to see the sights when I got there. Of course, as was pointed out, you can't use a car at all in Venice. I planned my trip so that I would leave for home from Venice and I turned in the car when I got to the city and took the water connection into the City. I think I saved some money on the car rental.