ITALY Readers's Tips - Florence is a pain to drive and park in.What you'll want to see is in the central pedestrian core.For visiting Florence, I'd seriously consider parking the car in a nearby town and taking the train in.In fact, if "cities" are your intended destinations, you will generally be much happier traveling by train. However, a car is ideal for touring the medieval hilltowns of Tuscany.You generally will have to park outside the town walls (usually for free and walk a short distance in, but you will enjoy the scenic drives between towns and the ability to visit on your own schedule.

The center of Florence like any larger city esp older is not made for cars.any streets are pediestrian.ou put the car in a garage while you're there. But agree it is very useful for touring Tuscany so you're not trying to cobble together trains and buse schedules.ust be aware than many towns don;t allow cars in the very small historic center but you must park on the edge and walk in.Parking lots will be clearly marked. My husband and I will be flying into Rome and then we have to drive to Ascoli from there.From what I can make out it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive but does anyone know what the roads are like, ie, hilly, curvey, any small towns worth seeing along the way I'm a little apprehensive about driving in a foreign country as neither one of us has ever done it before.Just want to try to plan as best I can Thanks P. OR would it be worth taking the train

I have not driven this route, but from my map it appears it can be done as autostrada pretty much all the way.Driving the autostrada is like driving the interstate at home, except people tend to drive faster.And it is ESSENTIAL to stay OUT of the left hand lanes unless you are passing.Other than that, if you find a 21/2 hour highway trip at home to be no big deal, you'll find it the same in Italy.If you'd find such a trip daunting at home, then by all means take the train and save your nerves. You should also consider that if you are taking an overnight flight, particularly in coach class, you may have trouble sleeping, and in any event you may have jet lag.Thus, you might not be up for a 21/2 hour drive after collecting your bags, getting through customs, and picking up your car.You're better off on the train unless you're confident you'll be alert enough to drive.

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