plotting an italian odyssey 4 weeks in mid April to mid May
Replies: 27 - Last Post: Jan 8, 2013 8:20 AM Last Post By: HRpets
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15
BthDth, I'm not sure what your point is. In N. America things are much more spread out. In Europe its quite different its much more compact, and much easier to more free spirited, you don't have a 100 mile or more drive to the next town nor worry if your fuel tank gets below 1/2 in some areas.16
re #15We occasionally get N Amerians planning a driving holiday in Europe, based on their experiences with the road-trip concept -- the long drive for the sake of the driving, the open road, no planned stops, etc. I've taken a few myself.
But what you sometimes see on this forum is that they have this road-trip idea -- which is indeed suited to 100 mile drives between towns -- and then get overwhelmed by all the stops possible in Europe. This is where their planning goes awry. They start with a 'simple' 3-6 week drive from A to B, very easy to do, stop for the night wherever you find yourself. But then they start planning where to stop and they start adding in so many stops that the once-simple trip becomes impractical if not impossible to carry out. They're trying to combine two different trip concepts, and end up with the FAQ "Is this doable?"
I don't know where you fit in. The idea of a drive (and/or train) from A to B (north to south Italy/Malta) is perfectly workable in a month, and the more free-spirited and unplanned, the easier it will be. The concern about where to stop, how often to stop, whether to reserve accom seems to be mixing trip concepts. Maybe, maybe not. Just something to consider.
17
Well, again thanks....I doubt t his will be a "road trip", as my friend, who lives in Lucca, Tuscany, told me to not plan on driving much in Italy, and it would be very expensive to rent a car and return it in a different location. I am plotting accommodations in Venice, Florence, Naples, but leaving gaps for travel, unexpected stops and diversions. By the way.....what is an "OP"? Mostly, it will be trains and buses and ferries.20
HRpets, don't discount renting in one place and returning to another. As I mentioned in an earlier post I picked up a car in Salerno and dropped it off in Florence, the drop fee was about $50, not crazy. But based on what we were doing along the way yes definitely a rental car. I'm thinking that was Avis I just can't remember though, but check them all.22
I don't know where you get this American vision of ignorance
have you ever met any other Americans? ;-)
23
Though of course..not all American travellers are ignorant about other countries.Indeed many of the regular posters on this branch are Americans who live in Europe......Conversely,there are a huge amount of travel-ignorant Europeans.They just don't tend to post on here! Maybe because (at least for the Italians)that they can't use English well enough to do so...and of course because they don't really do 'independent' travel in any numbers...
24
16, I'm a Texan expat in Spain.As a yank in America norte, we drive all the time. Or channel surf.
Why do that to yourself if you don't have to?
I met a woman, who was waiting on the sidewalk, in front or her hotel. With all their gear. She said, hubby was "going around the block hehh heh heh, to get a better shot at the little parking ramp. From tiny medieval street.
She said it took about 4 hours to find their hotel. She'd suggested to the boss, hire a taxi and follow him.
Of course not! That's like getting a man to gpo to a Dr.
Luggage on sidewalk for easy snatch. Streets that aren't layed out in grid fashion.
I'll bet their dinner was quiet that night.
I'd ried to tell yanks about street crime, back in 2003. in Seville. I got answered, "Yeah, You're probly one of 'em!"
25
Hmmm, well, I appreciate the advice, and I am still formulating ideas.....including Malta might be a stretch, though, I really wanted to see Malta after reading about it. I am trying to mix cities with some smaller towns, but my partner prefers the cities, museums, etc., and I prefer the smaller towns. I think renting a car is less likely, and day tripping from the cities will be "the way". For example, I would prefer to visit Naples for 1 day, but, my partner thinks we should stay in Naples and go to Pompei, Capri, etc.....I might venture on my own to Vesuvius, and on Sicily, to Etna and the Aeolian islands....I do think some of the responders here talking about American naïveté should cease and desist, as I am just plotting and formulating, and it is not helpful. Perhaps, cities on the weekends and smaller towns and intercity travel during the weekdays will be my plan.....thanks for playing along....26
Nonody thinks they're naíve. Buyt us "only way to live" yanks are totally clueless about the people or traditions or way p.o.v. in the real world."Americans. Nice people and all, but Whew!.
They are afraid of everything. But won't listen to the explanation."
-said to this Texan expat several times.
27
Well thanks again for those of you with a helpful reply.....my plans are solidifying. I am wondering where people have stayed in Florence, and who they rented a car through. I foresee renting a car for 4 days to travel first west to Tuscany, and then east to Ravenna and San Marino. I was looking to see where to leave the car, and may drive all the way to Naples or drop the car off somewhere in Umbria (?) and take a bus over the mountains. Happy New Year by the way....I am getting very excited in a truly "American way"!
