http://www.viamichel…

I think planning your route around gas stations is a bit unneccessary…lots of gas stations around (but they always seems to be closed in the middle of the day – when you need gas)

Go to the menu item (left hand side) “Travelling with Agip:
http://www.agip.eni….

rogramName=agip_toViaMichelinCategory” title=“http://www.agip.eni.it/agip/program.do?lang=en&sessionId=16369873&mncommand=home&amprogramName=agip_toViaMichelinCategory”>http://www.agip.eni….

I realized searching around that they are all over the autosrade. So I guess I’m not going to have to plan the trip according to WHERE the stations are.. but WHEN they are open. Thanks finnegan.

If you keep on the main highways the gas stations are open 24/7…once off the main highway they tend to be closed from about 12 noon to about 2:30 (for lunch I assume). In the countryside gas staions can be few and far between – learned the hard way. Also the gas supply to the countryside seems to be a bit dodgy – don’t be surprised to find open gas stations with no gas. I usually tank up in the morning, carry a small gerry can with gas and never ever let my tank go below 3/4 empty

One more thing…make sure your rental car has a locking gas cap (or buy one). In the span of 4 days in Rome I went through 2 tanks of gas…and I only drove once (every Vespa owners carries a siphon hose! – you figure out the rest)

Is that a huge problem all over Italy or just in the major, populated cities. The plan is not to have the car in the major cities.
3 Days Florence-> train to Venice
2 Days Venice -> Pick up rental car on the way out
1 night San Marino -> stopping in Bologna, Ravenna and Rimmini on the way
3 nights in Assisi -> taking day trips to Siena, Parugia
3 nights in Sorrento -> taking the train to Pompeii
4 nights in Rome -> dropping off car as soon as we get there

Good idea not to keep car in large city (why pay for parking, rental, etc. when you won’t really be using it?). Probably New York is worse for car break-ins, stealing gas, etc. but why takea chance? Make sure you never, ever (and I mean never) leave any stuff in the car (I had a thief in Spain break my window to steal a cheap sleeping bag and a bottle of beer). Take precautions and you won’t have problems. I know friends who actually covered their car with mud, etc. so it didn’t stand out as a rental car. If you haven’t done so already you should get an international drivers permit ($15 or so at AAA)

… and remember that the permit isn’t a driver’s license, it’s just a translation of the fact that you have a driver’s license and the basic information from it into a number of different languages. You will always need your valid driver’s license from home to drive and to rent a car.

Figured on going to AAA this weekend. Thanks for telling me I need my US License. I would have left it at home!!

I recommend seeing Venice, Florence and Rome travelling by train. Then rent a car to get out of the city. Rent in Florence and drive the Tuscan country side or rent from Rome and head away from the city. An absolute must is the drive to Scanno.

http://lostbobsblog….

Get a detailed road atlas (available at autostrada gas stations etc) and get off the beaten path. Drive in the middle of the afternoon, the roads are less crowded then (don’t wory about the closed stations). Most of the closed ones have a self serve feature that accepts cash 24/7. Hint, they don’t automatically give receipts. If you insert 20 EUR then stop the pump at 19.98 you will get a print out detailing the 2 cents credit due you. Worked fine for expense reports.

Don’t be intimidated, it’s a beautiful country to drive in. Roadsigns on the autostrada are quite good, off the autostrada, not so much. That’s what the atlas is for. When exploreing, You may not find your destination but you will stumble upon something equally interesting. When you have had enough for the day, pull out the atlas to find your way back to the nearest autostrada exit.

My Flickr photo sharing site has a lot of stuff taken while living in Avezzano in 2002
http://www.flickr.co…
I will be happy to offer suggestions on how to get to any the places pictured.

Bob, Thank you for all that info. Your pictures are wonderful.
It has me all excited to go and just get lost, See what I can find on my own.

One thing about renting cars in Italy is that it is mandatory that you have collision and theft insurance…this can add an extra $30 a day to the cost of your rental. Instead use a credit card (Mastercard, Visa Gold, etc.) that providesd insurance coverage when booking your rental. Even still, many rebntal companies will try to pressure you into get extra insurnace. Don’t do it. Don’t sign anything unless you understand it. make sure you that they provide you with an English copy of the rental agreement for you to sign