Italy - October 2008

tara747

I'm going to Italy around the end of October, might need to hire a car. I'll start around Rome, drive either south towards Naples or north towards Tuscany, then back to Rome. Any tips for cheap car hire and good places to stay?

Thanks in advance.

JRoberts7

I recently traveled to Italy and rented a car, i used a terrible company so i won't mention them but i did find two really good companies where they find you really cheap prices. The first one is 121 Car Hire Italy and the second one is Nova Car Hire.

I hope either of these sites help you. I'm going back next year and will definitely use one of these this time.;)

tara747

Ta! Will check them out.

Any other tips anyone? I'd be very grateful...

tara747

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tara747

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tara747

bump again (sorry)

tara747

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BillTrac

tara747,

are you really serious about driving around the Sorrento area?

Just wondering, because we have just come back from there and they are looney!

I mean you have to admire some of their driving. I did think about hiring a car but as we were only there for a few days and Capri is a boat ride, and the cheap trains stopped outside Pompeii etc couldn't justify it.

Anyway good luck, I have e-mailed the hotel we stayed at(Antiche Mura) to see if they can suggest/recommend any hire companies. Will let you know if they come up with anything that might help.

Bill

TravellingAbuela

Hi have a look at this website for places to stay in Sorrento - lots of budget B & B's. We stayed in a little apartment in the orange and lemon groves just above Sorrento. So peaceful and friendly. The owner kept us supplied with fresh lemons, tomatoes and basil! Not to mention their home-made wine!
http://www.sorrentotour.it/
No need to hire a car for the Sorrento area. Buses to the Amalfi coast, train to Pompeii and Herculaneum (and access to Mt Vesuvius) and boat to Capri.

Biggles

I have to agree with Bill and Abuela, the roads are tiny and winding, the coaches take no prisoners and the drivers are, well, Italian.

The usual advice re driving yourself around there is: Don't. There's plenty of good, cheap public transport. And, that way, you get to admire the views!

Blue264

As other members have stated, the driving around Sorrento is scarier than any amusement park ride I've been on. I'm not exaggerating!
Just check this You Tube video out to give you an idea what we're talking about...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9AtjiPxeak

I would seriously consider using public transport until you're a little further south.
You can get really cheap ferries over to Capri for the day from Sorrento or Ischia for the spa baths.

DO NOT miss Pompeii, the Amalfi Drive (on the local bus), Positano, Amalfi and my favourite of all, Ravello.
The gardens of the Villa Cimbrone at Ravello are heaven on Earth on a summers day but again, I would advise that you get the local bus up there from Amalfi.

http://www.villacimbrone.com/en/

Perhaps you should wait until you hit Salerno before you get a hire car

p.s. I stayed at the Minerva up on Via Capo and loved it. Plenty of friends have stayed at the Villa Maria and liked it too.

http://www.minervasorrento.com/