Driving in Italy
Discussion
I recently spent a week in Cortona in Tuscany. The first 30 min getting used to the left hand drive, at 3 in the morning on a Saturday night in Rome......Terrifying!
After the first 30 min however, i was in my element. Loved it. The might is right, no one hogging the fast lane without at least doing the speed limit. if you were too slow you get a flash and you move in.. simples.
driving around Rome centre can be daunting. i was like wtf is going on to begin with but after a while you adapt and do as the Italians do.
It may help however that i am half Italian and my dad being proper fullly fledged Italian loon!
After the first 30 min however, i was in my element. Loved it. The might is right, no one hogging the fast lane without at least doing the speed limit. if you were too slow you get a flash and you move in.. simples.
driving around Rome centre can be daunting. i was like wtf is going on to begin with but after a while you adapt and do as the Italians do.
It may help however that i am half Italian and my dad being proper fullly fledged Italian loon!
Rent something small and nippy, get all the insurance you can then drive the way the Italians do, it's the only way.
I've driven in Rome, Florence, Siena and Naples and most points between. In towns go for gaps, assume everyone else will see you and know where you're headed, use your horn constantly and watch out for people stopping and changing direction completely randomly.
Out of town, move out of the way for faster cars and you'll find people will do the same for you.
Once you get into the Italian mindset, it's actually quite a lot of fun. It's no wonder they enjoy motosports so much, it's just an extension of everyday life.....
I've driven in Rome, Florence, Siena and Naples and most points between. In towns go for gaps, assume everyone else will see you and know where you're headed, use your horn constantly and watch out for people stopping and changing direction completely randomly.
Out of town, move out of the way for faster cars and you'll find people will do the same for you.
Once you get into the Italian mindset, it's actually quite a lot of fun. It's no wonder they enjoy motosports so much, it's just an extension of everyday life.....
Had a couple of weeks in Italy last month, Tuscany.
I don't really see what the fuss is all about
Italian drivers really don't live up to their reputation.
Pretty much the same as everywhere else really, numpties driving slowly are no less numerous than here, and in Micras too, although usually Pandas.
As for driving hard & fast & aggressively?
Can't say I noticed anything really, I was pottering around on holiday, taking it easy, I didn't see any chaos or mayhem. Florence was a bit busy, that's all.
Went into several busy towns too, er, what's the problem?
Ditto Rome a few years back too.
I don't really see what the fuss is all about
Italian drivers really don't live up to their reputation.
Pretty much the same as everywhere else really, numpties driving slowly are no less numerous than here, and in Micras too, although usually Pandas.
As for driving hard & fast & aggressively?
Can't say I noticed anything really, I was pottering around on holiday, taking it easy, I didn't see any chaos or mayhem. Florence was a bit busy, that's all.
Went into several busy towns too, er, what's the problem?
Ditto Rome a few years back too.
Balmoral Green said:
Had a couple of weeks in Italy last month, Tuscany.
I don't really see what the fuss is all about
Italian drivers really don't live up to their reputation.
Pretty much the same as everywhere else really, numpties driving slowly are no less numerous than here, and in Micras too, although usually Pandas.
As for driving hard & fast & aggressively?
Can't say I noticed anything really, I was pottering around on holiday, taking it easy, I didn't see any chaos or mayhem. Florence was a bit busy, that's all.
Went into several busy towns too, er, what's the problem?
Ditto Rome a few years back too.
did you go in August then? If so it explains it. In August Italy empties, companies shut, heavy transport is mostly banned etc. Much quieter month on the roads than the rest of the yearI don't really see what the fuss is all about
Italian drivers really don't live up to their reputation.
Pretty much the same as everywhere else really, numpties driving slowly are no less numerous than here, and in Micras too, although usually Pandas.
As for driving hard & fast & aggressively?
Can't say I noticed anything really, I was pottering around on holiday, taking it easy, I didn't see any chaos or mayhem. Florence was a bit busy, that's all.
Went into several busy towns too, er, what's the problem?
Ditto Rome a few years back too.
Tuscany always seems a little calmer to me and I always put this down in (a small)part to the sheer number of wealthy Brits and other non Italians living there, its certainly picture postcard Italy but somewhat diluted in a way.
Naples is scary due to the sheer volume of craziness and road users all trying to use the same space, but get up in to the mountains and you only need an old local with a mad look in his one good eye, whats left of a battered 25 year old fiat running on racing juice (and which the said driver is also "running" on)to give you a life affirming experience.
Naples is scary due to the sheer volume of craziness and road users all trying to use the same space, but get up in to the mountains and you only need an old local with a mad look in his one good eye, whats left of a battered 25 year old fiat running on racing juice (and which the said driver is also "running" on)to give you a life affirming experience.
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