Seasoned travellers and novices alike will find it is not difficult to rent a car in Tuscany. There may be a few minor obstacles to getting around, just as there would be in any other new location, but in general a Tuscany car rental is easy to acquire and simple to use.
Reserving Your Car
Most of the major car rental companies do business in Europe and have areas of their web sites for International rental. What may differ from booking a more local car rental is that you may not have as many choices in cars or be as familiar with the makes and models of your choices.
Cars in Europe tend to be smaller for the average renter. There are still luxury and larger rentals available, but they are not as common for navigating the narrow cities streets, many of which were built centuries ago.
To make a reservation you will need a valid diver s license in the country in which you reside. Generally you do not need an International license unless you will be spending a long time in the area. You will also need a credit car to hold the reservation. Once the booking is complete, you will be given a reservation number that you can use to pick up your car rental at the airport or train station.
Driving Around Tuscany
Tuscany is a wonderful region to explore by car. It is dotted with major cities just short drives apart, with quaint villages filling in the gaps. There are breathtaking coastal drives and lazy, meandering cruises through the rolling hills of the countryside. With a car rental you can take it all in at your own pace.
You can drive through the wine region of Chianti and stop for a picnic and afternoon nap. You can park on the outskirts of the city and then walk through the streets to each tourist destination.
The driving in Tuscany is done as it is in the United States. Drivers stay to the right and the wheel is on the left the opposite of Great Britain. The biggest difference an American driver may notice is the speeds. Many highways have very high speed limits equivalent to around 90 or 100 miles per hour or none at all! The best way to stay safe is to keep up with the flow of traffic. Slower drivers may actually be more of a hazard on this type of highway.
Many secondary roads in the country can be impassable during bad weather since the countryside is not as well travelled in some areas. You ll want to plan according to the season.
Driving in Luxury
If you want the best of both worlds the freedom of your own car and the carefree feeling of public transportation, then you may want to look into hiring a car with a driver included. Drivers are familiar with the roads, rules and system, so they can quickly get you where you want to go, while maintaining your schedule or lack thereof.
More of the benefits of driving mean you can pack more. You can also bring along picnics, shop to the capacity of the car s trunk (and your budget for shipping items) that you may find along the country roads in Tuscany. Renting a car is the best way to be sure you get to do what you want, and on your own timetable.