Italy

Has anyone rented a porsche in Italy and is it worth it. Planning on going to capri and then to florance in april. TIA

I looked into the possibility last year when my wife and I took a 10 day trip to Italy for our anniversary. It was just too expensive, even for a Boxster. The prices I was quoted were $400 per day, milage extra and a $1500 drop off charge because we wanted to rent out of Milan and drop off in Genoa. A 911 was $900 per day. We wound up with an Alfa 156 which was about $500 for the entire trip.

Bloke Not about rental cars, but in case you're interested, there's a small hotel outside florence that I've heard is sensational. I believe the name is Villa San Michelle. It's on hill just to the south, overlooking the city. Haven't stayed there myself, couldn't get in when we visited there. Mike

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As long as we're giving travel tips-- the last thing you want to have in Florence is a car. You really can walk everywhere and a lot of the city is off limits to cars or just murder to drive around. I'm reticient about recommending hotels, but we stayed at a really nice 12-room hotel, a converted convent, called the Hotel J&J which was right in the middle of Florence and a 20 min. walk to all the major sights and museums. We stayed four days and then rented a car and drove about 20 miles up in the mountains outside of Florence and stayed at a Tuscan inn and cooking school (you don't have to take classes if you don't want) called Il Borghetto, which had a pool, an Etruscan tomb and its own olive grove. Best of all, it was about an hour's drive on the Autostrada from all the major Tuscan cities such as Lucca, Sienna and the hill towns. E-mail me if you want more information.

thanks everyone for the info. now i need to start making reservations.

I can rent you my new C4S for $1000/day + $1/km You pay all the tickets! Just kidding. Actually, I really wouldn't reccomend it. Unless you are used to Italian drivers and narrow, curving roads where you're expected to go 75mph in the rain.... with the added bonus of having just about every possible obstacle out there to surpirse you- bicycles, oncoming cars passing in your lane, scooters and motorcycles coming out from everywhere, the only one following the traffic rules being you. Italy is a chaotic place for the relaxed driver. I especially wouldn't reccomend it for Capri- NO CARS ALLOWED ON THE ISLAND, or at least almost no cars. There are a few taxis, but as a rule no cars. Also, you'd have to drive through Napoli (Naples) to get to the ferry. I would highly discourage this unless you have a bodyguard escort. Not a real good idea to drive a Porsche in the absolute worst place in the world for traffic and one of the worst for crime. In Napoli it's an art form how they disobey every possible traffic law. They'd probably steal your car just to see what CD you have in the player... Florence instead you don't need a car. The surround Tuscan Hills are very beautiful though and provide some of the best driving spots I've ever found. Twisting hilly roads set in a majestic landscape where each road brings you to a little village, each one being more beautiful than the last. If you're going to go through Tuscany I'd advise you to rent an Alfa 156 like Speed did. Ciao and good luck!

james at italy, I am starting to get that sense that renting a porsche isnt such a hot idea. Just curious after seeing all the testing done in Italy. Thank for the info. GO ALFA PS Speed, wow that is a nice place and yes i am calling as we speak(hopefully i can get in there).

Actually, we have great roads and lots of tracks. Most of the magazine test drives for the C4S have been done in my area (I live in Bergamo) in the north near the base of the Alps. I have no idea why. You're going to some beautiful places and hopefully you will love it. As we said, I wouldn't reccomend the Porsche unless your main goal is driving. If there is anything I can do to help you let me know. I'm fluent in Italian and have lived here for 10 years.

James is right, Italy is one of the best places to drive not only because of the scenery and the roads but because the people know how to drive. Nobody dawdles in the left lane. And, after two days you realize. . . NO SUV'S. What a pleasure! You can see the road ahead of you and there are no blinding lights behind you.