Italian Roads - Stelvio to Florence and beyond

[kazino]

Planning a trip from London to Florence.
On the way there I will go through Switzerland and do the well documented roads to Stelvio. From there to Florence what would be the best route encompassing the best driving roads and scenery.

On the way back I would like to go through Monaco, again what would be a good driving and scenic route there.

I have heard bad stories about car theft, is there any truth in them, should I anything to worry about? In Tuscany the car will be safely secured.

[iva cosworth]

Re car theft.

When i was in Tuscany for a week last year my cosworth was parked every night in a village

car park 5 minutes from the house i was in and as far as i know was not touched.

I think its the big cities where the problems occur

[kazino]

That's good to know. How were the roads?

iva cosworth said:

Re car theft.

When i was in Tuscany for a week last year my cosworth was parked every night in a village

car park 5 minutes from the house i was in and as far as i know was not touched.

I think its the big cities where the problems occur

[skodamanpat]

It would be rude not to visit Sant'Agata and Maranello. From Florence head down to Pisa then round the coast to Portafino. After that I would hit the autostrada to Monaco as the coast road is a complete pain and log jam with towns every few miles full of scooters. Don't forget to head up the Col de Turini from Monaco

Also do a search for when and where you are able to drive in various Italian cities, they have some barmy rules (ZTL zones) as to when your car can be driven down certain roads on certain days depending on the type of car etc, If your hotel is on one of these routes make sure you get a permit from them that is registered or you will receive a fine in the post which they do follow up. I know Florence as ZTL as does Pisa and Rome not sure about Modena.

http://www.bella-toscana.com/traffic_violations_it...

Edited by skodamanpat on Saturday 23 July 17:30

Edited by skodamanpat on Saturday 23 July 17:35

[kazino]

Thanks for the advice, I will do my homework on the ZTL before I head off.

skodamanpat said:

It would be rude not to visit Sant'Agata and Maranello. From Florence head down to Pisa then round the coast to Portafino. After that I would hit the autostrada to Monaco as the coast road is a complete pain and log jam with towns every few miles full of scooters. Don't forget to head up the Col de Turini from Monaco

Also do a search for when and where you are able to drive in various Italian cities, they have some barmy rules (ZTL zones) as to when your car can be driven down certain roads on certain days depending on the type of car etc, If your hotel is on one of these routes make sure you get a permit from them that is registered or you will receive a fine in the post which they do follow up. I know Florence as ZTL as does Pisa and Rome not sure about Modena.

http://www.bella-toscana.com/traffic_violations_it...

Edited by skodamanpat on Saturday 23 July 17:30

Edited by skodamanpat on Saturday 23 July 17:35

[truck71]

Hi, I'm heading for Florence in a few weeks and have been in contact with the hotel re-permits and also car parking. Hotel states that they will register the car on arrival, does this seem right? Regarding parking they offer a valet parking service to a nearby car park- any experience of this? Really don't want an over enthusiastic valet chap in the Tuscan..


Cheers Andrew

[skodamanpat]

truck71 said:

Hi, I'm heading for Florence in a few weeks and have been in contact with the hotel re-permits and also car parking. Hotel states that they will register the car on arrival, does this seem right? Regarding parking they offer a valet parking service to a nearby car park- any experience of this? Really don't want an over enthusiastic valet chap in the Tuscan..


Cheers Andrew

I would just double check they do register the car as I have heard tales where it as not been the case, as for the valet parking, look out for 11's on the tarmac outside the hotel entrance Joking aside I would be checking that the car is being moved to a secure car park (hotel garage) as opposed to an open public facility. It might be a historical and beautiful city but that is why it attracts tourists and hence all the low life that prey on them (Rolex watch sir only E10)

[truck71]

Yeah good advice that, have decided to change hotel- they seem more clued up on the ZTL and have a garage onsite where you park yourself. Don't fancy the speed six being thrashed from start up by a local excitable!

Cheers Andrew