Great tips, thanks!
I was going to head to REI tonight to look for jacket - but like that something a bit more affordable could work too. I feel like I have spent hundreds of $$ on pre-trip items (prob true!) - suitcase the right size, international plugs, passport holder, collapsible water bottle, etc. etc. LOL. Hopefully it will all serve us for multiple trips in the future, too! 
If you have an ARC or other thrift shop, you may find a windbreaker you like. Then if not ideal, youâve not spent a lot and after the trip you can shop more carefully for future travels.
Colorado_mom - we think alike! Iâve hit consignment/thrift stores for some extra khakis, long-sleeved shirts, and a vest for the trip! Have been on the look-out for light-weight coats but no luck yet.
Yummmmm. You said lemoncello. A lemoncello spritz on a beautiful Montalcino evening. Thanks for the memory.
We used Zicasso. Very pleased.
We have also used Zicasso for a wine and food tour of northern Italy and for a trip to Greece.
Just wanted to check in and thank all for the Italy recommendations! Went with my hub and two adult kids (one studying abroad) and it was absolutely amazing.
Lunch and wine at an open, rooftop restuarant atop a cliff in Cinque Terre overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean was a highlight!
So glad you had a magnificent time. I would love to go over for a month.
Do go to the Amalfi Coast for at least a couple days, if you can squeeze it in.
We did a 3 week trip to Italy several yrs ago and I was not planning on seeing the Amalfi CoastâŠbut a friend whoâd been there told I NEEDED toâŠand he was right. It is unbelievably beautiful.
We stayed a week in Sorrento, which is on the Bay of Naples, but a great base town for seeing the Amalfi Coast villages, Pompeii, Capri, etc.
We also spent a week in Rome and it was not nearly enough timeâŠHave always wanted to return.
I have heard gettransfer is a good car service. We are going to use it while in France. Someone I know used them in Italy.
As mentioned on Viking River cruise thread, after our Rhine Getaway (Amsterdam â> Basil) with another couple, we will all take a train to Florence for Part2 of the vacation in Italy. We will have 4 nights in an apartment at Palazzo dei Ciompi (not far from train station). Them we have reserved an Enterprise rental car at airport, will spend a day driving to Rome, probably stopping at Sienna and other small towns. Our last night will be at a hotel near Rome airport (FCO). (No plans to visit Rome this trip, just needed to get to a Viking approved departure city.)
Italy/Florence rental car question: How hard is it to get around in city center / surrounding towns? In theory we could fetch the car a day earlier, park at hotel for 25euro. That would give us a chance to drive out to countryside sights, which we had planned to do via group tour.
The is one tour we are considering
https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g187895-d11458040-Small_Group_Wine_Tasting_Experience_in_the_Tuscan_Countryside-Florence_Tuscany.html#
If I recall, parking for Sienna and some other small towns (such as San Gimignano) is outside the city walls. There is a train line that goes to the Florence airport, so you should not have too much trouble (in theory) getting there from where you are staying in Florence.
We took a bus from Florence to Siena. Easy peasy. Surprisingly good espresso at the bus station!
Colorado_mom- you probably already covered this, but you will need an international driverâs license.
I can also add that my daughter who studied abroad recently wanted to drive around Italy (even got the international license before going). Once she got there - the narrow, overcrowded streets and the wild Italian drivers made her (a confident, adventurous driver!) let that idea go. I believe Florence has blocked off certain areas downtown from car traffic, too.
Not to say it wonât work - particularly in the less crowded areas where it seems like you are headed!
I hate to be a downer and am always up for an adventure, but I would never drive in Florence. And you know that I love Florence.
The center-city stuff is all walkable, and for a little farther out you always can take a bus (though make sure you follow the rules carefully!). We were invited to a lovely dinner about 20 minutes out of town, and we took a taxi. That was the most harrowing drive of my life. The drivers made NYC taxi drivers look like babies. Narrow streets and bridges where only one car could pass, and it was a constant game of chicken.
Thanks for the feedback. That actually makes me glad that our reserved rental car pickup is at the airport, not the train station.
I agree. Italy is the one country that we wonât drive in and weâve been all over Europe by car.
My husband always sad he would not drive in Europe. So I found a company that could pick us up, drive in a van (daytrip tours)⊠stop along the way in a small town of choice as we work our way to Rome airport. It would be about $1000 for the day. (about the same as youâd pay for a nice shore excursion for 4 people). So I was surprised when travel agent suggested rental car ($250) that he and the other hubby were game. The rental car does give more flexibility and good cost savings,âŠ.but we have not yet paid for it - have time to rethink the plan.
100% agree that having a rental car gives so much more flexibility. We just returned from Spain and Portugal and we drove everywhere for three week. Everything from narrow, single land roads that were two ways, to big cities, to highways and it was all fine.
We just found driving around Italy to be hair raising in a much different way than in other countries. The driving etiquette seems to be âanything goes.â I would plan the itinerary from Florence to Rome based on the train depots ; )
Get a very good insurance coverage that covers all drivers and the car.