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The absolute first for driving tips in Italy is DON’T! However, there are diehards out there who must prove their worth on the road in a foreign country and who will not heed the first tip. car hire in Italy is rather easier than driving on the roads of Italy, according to foreigners traveling there. Therefore, it is necessary to help them along in their quest. 1. Do not expect anyone to keep one car length for every ten miles per hour behind you. It does not happen in America and will not happen in Italy. 2. Learn the meaning of various hand and arm signs. They are the voice of the road probably telling you that you are on the wrong side AGAIN! 3. Do not expect to find parking anywhere in the vicinity of your destination unless you are visiting a farm. 4. When attempting to travel the Autostrade, try to keep up with traffic. This is easier said than done, since the normal speed limit is adhered to even less than in America. 5. Give in and get a GPS to guide you through your travels. This could be the most valuable of the driving tips since it reduces the risk of getting lost. 6. If you get lost even while using the GPS, ask directions and pray the person you ask speaks English if you haven’t thought ahead and learned Italian. Having a pad of paper and a pencil on hand to draw a picture demonstrating your destination. 7. If you get lost and have no person to ask for directions, keep driving straight. You will eventually end up somewhere. 8. If renting a car, do it BEFORE you leave home. The cost differential can be considerable and in your favor. Check insurance options. Some may not apply in Italy and others may be absolutes instead of options. 9. If you only drive an automatic transmission, it will probably cost you more since most rental cars in Italy are manual transmissions. They keep very few automatics on hand. 10. Another of the more important driving tips is to know the national Italian Auto Club roadside assistance number 116 and the medical emergency number 113. 11. Get your gas tank filled before noon as many gas stations close for prolonged lunches between 12:30 – 3:00 P.M. A few may have self-serve pumps, but most do not. 12. Put the difference in gas prices in your vacation budget. While Americans may consider $4.00 per gallon high, gas in Italy will be considerably higher. Check with your travel agent for current prices. |
Italy Travel Guides |