One of my very first reminiscences from my very first journey to Italy was attempting to cross the road in Rome. I say “trying” as a result of it took me a number of makes an attempt. I used to be fortunate to not have been run over. If you’d informed me again then that I’d in the future drive in Italy—not to mention that I’d in the future get pleasure from driving in Italy—I most likely would’ve laughed in your face.
Yet right here we’re, almost 20 years later, and I’ve authored a put up about the perfect highway journeys in Italy. While I can’t assure how accountable or protected the opposite drives on the highway can be, I can say the locations and experiences on this put up are definitely worth the danger of getting behind the wheel.
Variety is the Key to Exploring Italy by Car
In journey as in life on the whole, the one purpose to tackle an additional expense or complication is that if doing so will improve one thing else. When it involves highway journeys in Italy, this implies utilizing your individual set of wheels to expertise a stage of eclecticism that will be tough utilizing public transport throughout the identical time frame. Rent a automotive as a way to discover extra deeply, not merely since you’re too lazy to take the prepare.
Of course, you must also make a degree of spicing up your journey expertise, irrespective of the way you get round, and whether or not or not you’re actually on the highway. An apparent manner to do that is consuming at a wide range of eating places, particularly these spotlighting native delicacies.
My Favorite Italian Road Trips
Tuscany
Whether you drive from Florence all of the methods all the way down to Siena, or concentrate on small cities just like the walled metropolis of San Gimignano or Saturnia, which sits near a travertine scorching spring, Tuscany is among the greatest locations in Italy to discover by automotive. Do be sure, in case your journey will contain wineries, that you simply’ve designated a sober driver always.
The Dolomites
Another the most effective highway journeys in Italy is within the Dolomites, that are also called the Italian Alps. In addition to gorgeous surroundings just like the scenic Giau Pass and ice-blue Lake Sorapis, there’s a cultural aspect to highway tripping right here. While technically Italian, many components of the Dolomites have a Swiss or Austrian character.
Florence or Milan to Cinque Terre
Although you’ll be able to’t technically drive inside every of the 5 villages that make up Cinque Terre, it’s value driving to them. Some vacationers will come from Milan, stopping en route in underrated Genova. Others will come from Florence, visiting Pisa’s leaning tower on the best way to Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, Riomaggiore and/or Monterosso.
The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is certainly the most effective highway journeys in Italy, nevertheless it’s not for the faint of coronary heart. Traffic alongside the route is notoriously dangerous, as is the supply of parking. If you’ll be able to take care of these frustrations, nonetheless, then I believe you’ll discover that having a automotive will make your life quite a bit simpler you discover.
Puglia
Last (nicely, for this checklist anyway) however not least is Puglia, which (to be truthful) is part of Italy I used to like much more than I now do. While highway tripping between the varied seashores of Salento will not be as fulfilling because it as soon as was, one other nice choice is to move inland, notably should you can go to historical Matera.
Is It Safe to Drive in Italy?
In spite of how harrowing it may be to cross the road in Rome or Naples (not to mention to experience on the again of one of many offending motorbikes), driving in Italy is about as protected as driving within the US or a lot of the remainder of Europe. You can additional enhance the security proposition by ensuring to remain centered (no texting!) whilst you’re behind the wheel, and naturally by having a chosen driver for any vineyard experiences.
To put it one other manner, enable your self to have peace of thoughts. As lengthy as you drive defensively and take your time getting from level A to level B, not one of the greatest highway journeys in Italy pose any danger to your security. You additionally must remember that even should you discover your Italian driving expertise barely harrowing whenever you first choose up the automotive, you’ll fairly shortly modify.
Other FAQ About Road Trips in Italy
Is Italy good for a highway journey?
Italy is a unbelievable place for a highway journey! Some vacationers will comply with a coastal route, comparable to alongside the Amalfi Coast or in Puglia, on the opposite aspect of the Italian “boot.” Others will head the hills, be they gentler ones in Tuscany or the towering Italian Alps, also called the Dolomites.
What is probably the most scenic route in Italy?
While many vacationers drive the Amalfi Coast, which connects the cities of Sorrento and Salerno close to Naples, there are different scenic routes in Italy—lots of them are much less crowded. I personally discover the Dolomites (aka the Italian Alps) to be a tremendous place to take a highway journey; I additionally love going to the 5 villages of Cinque Terre by automotive.
How do I plan an Italian highway journey?
Planning an Italian highway journey is quite a bit like planning a highway journey anyplace else: You must lease your automotive nicely upfront, be sure to have crucial documentation (comparable to an International Driving Permit, or IDP) and map out a routing that is sensible. In Italy as is the case in the remainder of Europe, take particular care to lease an automated automotive (these are rarer and thus, costlier right here) should you’re not comfy driving a handbook.
The Bottom Line
My checklist of the perfect highway journeys in Italy isn’t exhaustive—however I hope you’ve discovered it exhilarating. While Italy has a well-developed community of trains and buses, there are lots of locations all through the nation which are most simply found by non-public automotive, from mainstream locations just like the Amalfi Coast, to off-the-beaten-path spots within the Italian Alps and in underrated areas like Puglia. Afraid of driving in Italy? Don’t be—outdoors of main cities, it’s as straightforward as driving in your nation.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications comparable to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.