for a reason... We like to think that our Tuscany Expeditions are a little
Tour... You'll understand this a little more clearly in a few weeks as you're following us, as we weave through the vineyards and olive groves of the Chianti Hills, pointing out interesting things on our two-way radios!
And to do this, we blend the very best characteristics of independent travel with the very best characteristics of escorted and guided travel to give truly adventurous guests a super-unique hybrid travel experience that is the very best of both worlds!
A highly researched and personally curated Tour that is both escorted and professionally guided by our hand-picked local licensed award-winning guides, blended with the exclusivities, fun and independence of an extremely small group... With unique & authentic upscale Villa accommodations... the exclusivity of private chefs and private guides, the uniqueness of truly authentic Tuscan cuisine prepared by real Italian chefs... with totally inclusive upscale Wine, Beer & Prosecco bars... Nightly theme parties... Private live entertainment... and truly alternative experiential activities (think: Road Rally) that are just not possible to get from the typical travel agent and the large scale mass market Tours that they most often sell...
These things are what create the truly immersive & authentic experience... So when we say upscale Villa experience, we are always careful to differentiate between upscale and luxury... To put you in some Johnny come lately, recently built luxury Villa, built last year by a gazillion dollar lottery winner, would be neither immersive or authentic... That just wouldn't be the real Italy... Trust us: you're gonna love this experience!
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red, yellow & green and works just like
ours, but this is important:
NO RIGHT TURN ON RED IN ITALY! |
Every now and then some of our guests get a little anxious about the idea of driving in Italy... It's perfectly normal... You're going to a foreign country you've maybe never been to before... Mostly it's just fear of the unknown... So we're going to help you ease that anxiety with a series of posts over the next few weeks that will spell out most everything you need to know...
Driving in Italy is a lot like driving in the US... Many of the cars are the same models you can get here in the US and operate the exact same way... The steering wheel is on the same side of the car... and you drive on the same side of the road... Really, about the only difference, is learning to read the traffic signs... So we'll start with the most important ones first!
Pictured above is what their Stop Signs and their Traffic Lights look like... No, we're not joking... Their most important traffic signs and lights are just like ours here in the US... And their driver etiquette is pretty much exactly the same... (well, at least the same as in New Jersey! everyone else beware, Italian drivers are probably a little more assertive than you are!)
So that makes it pretty easy right there! But we'll give you a couple of quick hints here today to help you feel more confident... and in future posts, we'll have more detailed driving lessons and gradually a lot more of the traffic signs... (most are pretty intuitive)
International Drivers License: First, you should get an International Drivers License... We've had recent questions about this... If you're going to be behind the wheel driving, you need one of these... Your rental car company will likely require it, because it is Italian Law... They're cracking down and usually won't release your rental car to you without one... On our last trip to Tuscany in May, they wouldn't release our car to us and I was having a hard time finding mine and had to totally go through all my luggage till I found it!
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an old license of yours truly... I've had two more since this
one, and I'll be getting another one next week!
I have over 25 of these laying around!
They're a great souvenir! |
There's a lot of people & articles on the internet that say you don't need it...
So here's the bottom line: Italian Laws say you have to have it... So by law, we as your Tour Operator, have to tell you that you need one to drive. And their fine for not having one if you get caught is 200 - 300 Euro... Let it suffice to say we just
always get ours... and we strongly suggest you get yours! There's no test or anything, it's actually just a translation of your drivers license. Go to your local AAA office, it only takes 5 minutes... they take your picture, put it in this little folder and it's a great souvenir... Costs about 20 bucks...
Again, if you're not driving the car, you don't need one!
Insurance: So we've had questions on this already... Be well aware, typically you have no auto insurance coverage in Italy... Period... Not from your home auto policy... and not from most credit cards... Some people say their credit cards cover them... We've personally have never seen it ourselves... If your credit card company tells you that you have insurance coverage in Italy, I would suggest you get it in writing! Italy is one of those countries that as far as we know, no one provides coverage for... You have to buy it from the rental car company when you rent the car... it's mandatory, and they'll have at least two options... Usually the first option is already in the base car rental price, but it usually has a deductible that you're responsible for, often anywhere from $500 to $3000. We always suggest you get the full coverage or "no-deductible" insurance coverage... it might cost you $50 -$75 more for the week, but we think it's well worth the investment... When you turn your rental car in, there's absolutely no question... scratch, dent, knocked the mirror off, backed into a donkey, something broken... it doesn't matter, cause you'll have full coverage! Again, it's a personal decision and totally up to you...
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yes, there are convertibles available! But you
should know that some of the Strade Bianchi we
travel can be a little dusty... |
Who's Driving: Also we strongly suggest you pay "the additional driver charge" for anyone that might even possibly drive the car... You might say to yourself, "hey, who's gonna know?" And again, no one would know, unless you either get pulled over by a policeman, or get involved in a fender bender... If you're not listed as a driver on the contract, you won't be covered by the insurance! The charge for an additional driver has come down significantly over the years... These days, it's only about 10 euro per day... we suggest if someone else will be driving the car, have them on the contract! You'll do this locally when you pick up the car...
Before you leave the rental car office: make sure you know whether the car takes regular gasoline or diesel fuel... they have a lot of diesel cars in Europe! Here's an important tip: They call unleaded fuel Senza Piombo or Benzina Verde... And they call diesel fuel; Gasolio... So you can see the possible confusion... If you put the wrong fuel in the car, the engine will stop working, and it's a very expensive fix, and it won't be covered by the insurance! Also find out how to open the "fuel door..." These latches can be hidden pretty well over there! Adding gas to the car is exactly the same; you can choose full service or self-service... If you choose self-service, you just stick your credit card in the pump, just like here in the US.
Car Return: And lastly, on the day you turn your rental car in, fill it up to the very, very, tip-top of the gas tank, right before you turn it in... make sure to keep the receipt... take a picture of the receipt with your phone... show the receipt to the attendant, and make sure he acknowledges, and get him to note that "the car was turned in with a full tank of gas on the paperwork!" Don't try to get by with an "almost full" tank... They will charge you! Remember, they have your credit card! They'll not only charge you $10 a gallon for the "phantom gas," they'll charge you a $25 - $50 "fueling fee"! Again, fill it to the tip-top right before you turn it in & keep the receipt for 3 months! Trust us, we've been doing this for a long time...
Zona Traffico Limitato: Do not drive into an area with a sign that says Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) or Area Pedonale, limited traffic or pedestrian zones. Most cities have these zones and even in small towns you'll most often find them in the historic centers, (Centro Storico). A special permit is needed to drive in a limited traffic zone (which your hotel can usually take care of, just for dropping off luggage - but you must make the arrangements in advance). In the bigger cities there is usually a camera that takes a photo of your license plate as you enter a ZTL and you may get a fine in the mail. Look for a parking lot outside the center - you'll often find one within walking distance, or in large cities, with a shuttle to take you to the center. We've recently had a guest get a ZTL ticket from Pisa in the mail 3 months after he returned home.
Speeding:
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a large percentage of Italy's Highway Patrol
are women |
Italy has two main devices for catching speeders, Autovelox and Sistema Tutor. Always be on the lookout for autovelox which can be found on the autostrada, regular highways, and even in some towns and back roads. The autovelox looks like a big grey box on the side of the road with a sign, but inside is a camera that takes a photo of your license plate. You can receive a ticket as much as a year later. (note that if you have a rental car, they have your credit card information). You should also see a warning sign in advance that says Polizia Stradale, controllo electronico della velocity'. (Traffic Police, electronic speed control). Often times, your GPS unit will also warn you...
Sistema Tutor is a newer system used on some stretches of the autostrada. An overhead camera takes a photo of your license plate as you pass under it. When you pass under the next camera, your speed is averaged between the two points. As above, you may receive a ticket in the mail or through your rental car company. (Note: although we feel compelled to warn you about speeding, in 25 years, and with hundreds and hundreds of Tour guests, neither us nor any of our guests have ever received a speeding ticket...)
Driving on the Autostrada or Toll RoadThe autostrada is Italy's system of toll roads. Autostrada highways are designated with an A in front of a number (such as A1, the major autostrada that connects Milan and Rome) and signs pointing toward them are green.
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| driving in Tuscany is exhilarating! |
The maximum speed limit is 130
kilometers per hour (80mph), but on some parts of the autostrada the maximum speed is 110, and may be as low as 60 on some curvy stretches, so watch for posted speed limit signs. When you exit the autostrada, you will pay a toll
(take a ticket as you enter). We usually use credit cards at these... And
your EZ Pass from here in the US will not work in Italy... We will post video in future posts on using the toll system exits...And lastly... be careful with parking... parking is at a premium everywhere in Italy, so most often, even in small villages they charge for it! Make sure you understand how this works... Your rental car will probably come with a paper "parking disc"
either pasted to the inside front window, or in the glove box... make sure you use it!
All About Parking in ItalyParking in Italy is much easier than you would think. The more tourist-oriented towns and cities have large, pay parking lots just outside the historic centers.
The color of the lines on the parking space indicates the type of parking; white is usually for free parking, blue is usually for paid parking. This is the usual case, but each commune in Italy can decide the parking regulations, so always look around for signs. Signs will tell you if you are required to pay or to use a parking disc to time your parking (more details below).
Blue Lines: Pay Parking
Blue parking lines for street parking.
In most regions, blue lines mark paid street parking. There will be a payment machine/kiosk or a place to buy tickets close by. You put coins or credit card in for the amount of time you want, and get a receipt telling you how long you can stay
(the time your parking expires is printed on the receipt).
Put this receipt on the dashboard, in the car window and make sure it's visible from the outside.Beware of Fake Parking Lot Attendants... Typically homeless people looking for a handout.
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the quaintness and charm of Chianti
will take your breath away |
If the parking lines are blue, you need to pay to park. If someone is there to help you park, first check that there is no pay machine where you pay and get a ticket to place on your dashboard (the box will have a white P in a blue square above it).
White Lines: Free Parking
In many towns, white lines mark free parking spots on the street but they may be limited by time (typically 1 or 2 hours). The closest parking sign will tell you if you must set your parking disc to show when you arrived.
Set your parking disc to the time you parked and display it in the window. You must return within the time allowed as indicated on the sign. See the Parking Disc section below for more information.
Note: When parking in larger cities, like Rome or Florence, white lines can be for residents only. Check for signs when you park. If you're going to be spending a few days in Rome, Milan or Florence, you probably don't want to have a car... These are large cities, and parking is at a premium... If you pick a central hotel, you can walk everywhere in the historic districts... If you want a recommendation for hotels, let us know... But be aware that our recommended hotels fill far in advance. Don't wait to make the reservation.
Free Parking: Parking Disc (Disco Orario)If the parking sign indicates that the parking is time-limited, (
such as 2 hours) you need to use a parking disc to indicate the time you parked. When you rent a car in Italy, there will likely be a parking disc on the front window or in the glove box.
If there isn't, ask your rental car operator before you leave. As a last resort, you can usually always purchase one at a Tobacco store or gas station. Ask for a
disco orario. They are not expensive. To use the parking disc,
set it to indicate the time you parked and place it inside your car in the windshield so it can be seen by the parking police. (if you don't have one, or you've lost yours, you can just write down your
ora di arrivo (arrival time) on a piece of paper and lay it on the dash board... this will work. (use 24 hour clock; military time).
This is the typical parking disc that you buy in Italy. It is made from light cardboard or plastic and usually measures 3" by 5". Spin the wheel so that the arrow points to the current time. This parking disc is called
disco orario. The time that you set is
ora di arrivo -
hour of arrival. |
you'll want to be sure that your rental
car has a parking disc... Usually they're on the windshield, or in the glove box... |
Paid Parking: The larger towns have large pay parking lots. Siena has one near the Stadio (soccer stadium). San Gimignano has one just outside the Village walls. Assisi has several surrounding the town. They are all different.
Usually you get a ticket from a machine as you enter. Then, when you are ready to leave, you take the ticket to a booth (on foot) and pay. You either pay a person, or often times, a machine. You get your ticket back and, when you drive out, you insert it into a machine which then opens the gate.Remember, for your Tuscany Tour, we will be with you everyday, and you'll just follow us and
we'll show you how to do all of this... But some of you are going over several days early to visit other destinations before we meet at the Villa, so this is why we try to educate you now...
While this can all sound a little intimidating or overwhelming... don't let it be... Everyone ultimately figures it out... and it all makes for great stories & fabulous memories!
Learn to love the differences in their culture! It's what makes Italy so much fun and it's why you wanted to go to Italy in the first place! If everything was just like here in the US, no one would want to visit! And in the end, you'll be proud of yourself! Lots more driving lessons to come in future posts... by the time we're done with you, you'll be an expert! And in just a few weeks, you'll be
Under The Tuscan Sun!
