Hiring a car in Sicily - any tips please?
Discussion
When doing the Targa Florio course beware of random live stock wandering around on the road. Does add that element of danger excitement (adrenalin) though, coming around a corner to meet a cow with big pointy horns straddling the centreline.
& yep the locals are up for it.
& yep the locals are up for it.
Edited by Tempest_5 on Thursday 18th August 22:28
we did this/ Be careful:
we hired a car as girl and boyfriend, and came back engaged...
Anyhow, they are mad, but they expect a sort of fluid driving style, with not too much for lane consideration, but trying to keep everyone moving. If you can "get" this, and keep yuor eyes open then you'll be fine- try to keep up with the traffic. The traffic in Palermo is too slow to be a real worry anyhow.
Outside, on the motorways the roads have very frequent expanasion joints which make the journey very uncomfortable- a constant thump..thump. And its a big place, so it takes a long time to get anywhere...thump...thump...
And long tunnels, which are a relief from the thump thump...
And frequent roadworks, making everyone down into 1 lane for no real reason, then back upto normal after 50m of cones or so... thump...thump
Petrol stations arent as a frequent as I'd thump like...thump.
We missed the targa Florio, but any internal road is exciting if thats what you want. Make sure you see Mount Etna up close thump...thump
Erice on the west coast is stunning, and quite a hairy drive to get up there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erice
we hired a car as girl and boyfriend, and came back engaged...
Anyhow, they are mad, but they expect a sort of fluid driving style, with not too much for lane consideration, but trying to keep everyone moving. If you can "get" this, and keep yuor eyes open then you'll be fine- try to keep up with the traffic. The traffic in Palermo is too slow to be a real worry anyhow.
Outside, on the motorways the roads have very frequent expanasion joints which make the journey very uncomfortable- a constant thump..thump. And its a big place, so it takes a long time to get anywhere...thump...thump...
And long tunnels, which are a relief from the thump thump...
And frequent roadworks, making everyone down into 1 lane for no real reason, then back upto normal after 50m of cones or so... thump...thump
Petrol stations arent as a frequent as I'd thump like...thump.
We missed the targa Florio, but any internal road is exciting if thats what you want. Make sure you see Mount Etna up close thump...thump
Erice on the west coast is stunning, and quite a hairy drive to get up there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erice
Here you go, this should get you in the mood. A kitcar rally to the Targa Florio in 1999.
http://www.pistonenvy.com/westfieldpics/bwtargapcs...
Might be worth seeing if anything is going on at the Pegusa circuit whilst you're there.
As Williamp said, Etna is a must.
http://www.pistonenvy.com/westfieldpics/bwtargapcs...
Might be worth seeing if anything is going on at the Pegusa circuit whilst you're there.
As Williamp said, Etna is a must.
We went over to see family in May and hired 3 cars from Trapani Birgi Aeroporto... Was just a Europcar jobby, but all 3 cars which we ordered were upgraded. My father ended up with a Lancia Delta Multijet which I never even knew existed, cousin had a Fiat Bravo Multijet and mine was a new Clio... Had great fun driving on the roads, but then again we're used to it. Just beware when people are joining a dual carriageway near to you, although it will become clearer when you're there.
Oh, and if you see someone coming the other way flashing their lights, there's likely to be a speed trap ahead!
Oh, and if you see someone coming the other way flashing their lights, there's likely to be a speed trap ahead!
I drove a hire car in Sardinia for a week last month, which I guess will be similar.
My main tip is do not under any circumstances hesitate at any point whilst driving, even if for just a second. Otherwise expect a barrage or horns and shouty foreign words. My girlfriend accidentally hesitated for a second when turning left off a main road, and we then couldnt move for a while whilst everyone undertook/overtook us.
Apart from that, it was pretty easy. The motorways, like most of europe, are largely deserted, its just the towns that get a bit congested.
We had a Peugeot 206 (but a new one with 207 headlights). Was rubbish, and struggled to get up anything even vaguely resembling a hill.
My main tip is do not under any circumstances hesitate at any point whilst driving, even if for just a second. Otherwise expect a barrage or horns and shouty foreign words. My girlfriend accidentally hesitated for a second when turning left off a main road, and we then couldnt move for a while whilst everyone undertook/overtook us.
Apart from that, it was pretty easy. The motorways, like most of europe, are largely deserted, its just the towns that get a bit congested.
We had a Peugeot 206 (but a new one with 207 headlights). Was rubbish, and struggled to get up anything even vaguely resembling a hill.
Grazia for the replies and photo links (Tempest 5). Have a nice weekend people.
big lol for this :
This however did make me s
t my pants
big lol for this :
Sarkmeister said:
do not under any circumstances hesitate at any point whilst driving. Otherwise expect a barrage or horns and shouty foreign words.
Being a CEO of 3 companies, 6’2, powerfully built with a goatee, I am not particularly worried about the mafia.This however did make me s
t my pantswilliamp said:
we did this/ Be careful:
we hired a car as girl
and boyfriend, and came back engaged...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erice
I would really like a car with a webasto roof or something, even convertible (or fiat 500 sardine can) but I suppose the hire companies don’t do that, or? better start emailing instead of whining on here we hired a car as girl
and boyfriend, and came back engaged...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erice
hmmm, looks like i will end up with something boring as usual, fiat panda diesel.
anyhoo the mrs is not into spirited driving, would have loved an open top though.
Will be visiting island Favignana, Erice, Don Corleone, Mt Cammarata and the valley of the temples
If any of these are a crap idea, let me know.
Ill report back after with a few photos to jolly up the thread in a couple of weeks.
anyhoo the mrs is not into spirited driving, would have loved an open top though.
Will be visiting island Favignana, Erice, Don Corleone, Mt Cammarata and the valley of the temples
If any of these are a crap idea, let me know.
Ill report back after with a few photos to jolly up the thread in a couple of weeks.
Just got back today from two weeks in Sicily in a Fiat 500. Two top tips:
1. I cannot begin to describe the standard of driving out there in terms you'll believe until you've seen it. Absolutely nuts. They're not aggressive - they just seem cacooned in their own little world of high-speed carefree invincibility. They drive inches from your bumper, never indicate, push in, overtake, undertake, park diagonally across the road etc etc to their hearts content without a thought to their safety or yours. Great fun once you get the hang of it.
2. Check the car with great care and take photographic evidence of damage when you collect. We were stung this morning for 400 euros for damage that I know was present when we collected, that I believed was recorded on their little chart that I signed, but which they insisted was new. As they had my credit card details already, they simply swipe cash from your card. And this from an international car hire company. Name and shame rules probably prevent me saying to much, but don't book on a Budget. Nothing short of theft. Beware. And as we were returning our car, another couple were also being swindled in very similar terms.
1. I cannot begin to describe the standard of driving out there in terms you'll believe until you've seen it. Absolutely nuts. They're not aggressive - they just seem cacooned in their own little world of high-speed carefree invincibility. They drive inches from your bumper, never indicate, push in, overtake, undertake, park diagonally across the road etc etc to their hearts content without a thought to their safety or yours. Great fun once you get the hang of it.
2. Check the car with great care and take photographic evidence of damage when you collect. We were stung this morning for 400 euros for damage that I know was present when we collected, that I believed was recorded on their little chart that I signed, but which they insisted was new. As they had my credit card details already, they simply swipe cash from your card. And this from an international car hire company. Name and shame rules probably prevent me saying to much, but don't book on a Budget. Nothing short of theft. Beware. And as we were returning our car, another couple were also being swindled in very similar terms.
Shyte thats terrible gruber.
Im back, only hired a car for 24hours as it happened. Took pictures when we left with date stamp on.
I used a company where the bill hurts. Havent checked my credit card account yet so dont know if I was swindled, but can say we booked a "ford KA (or similar)" and were offered a panda or fiat 500, both 1.2. €32, good price i thought.
forgot to get the receipt from the hire lady, possibly distracted by her tremendous norks :P while simultaneously hoping the GF hadn't twigged
The nearest petrol station to Trapani is automated, happens to only to take cash (notes)
as the card machine has been disabled
so that means everyone rushing back, has to dump in their only available notes left, brim fill and hurry back to airport and catch flight, it doesnt give change 
, gave the rest of my petrol (about a quids worth lol) to the brit bloke behind, wierd how you all become pals abroad, and think everyone is a tosser when back home!
That is a brilliant and probably legal swindle by the garage. Makes you wonder who is organising that
Spent the holiday on car free Levanzo, snorkling not much driving.
The taxi from the airport at midnight was fooking insane, 7 up in a berlingo with saggy dampers and worn tyres.
Like I said the last time, NEVER AGAIN!
Booked lady taxi driver for the next trip (hotel organised, I demanded a lady driver), no problems nice and safe.
So thats my tip, pre book a taxi via your hotel and insist on a lady driver, or take the bus.
Buses and trains in Italy a´re very good & cheap in my experience.
Wasnt that much traffic about, the driving wasnt great, but not too bad.
Did see a lorry overtake on a blind bend tho.
The scenery, temperature, food, prices and people were top notch.
The snorkelling was awesome and only had two rows with the mrs
trust me to land a the only nordic beauty with a latin temperament.
Send me a PM if you want hotel recs
will try do some pics tomorrow
Im back, only hired a car for 24hours as it happened. Took pictures when we left with date stamp on.
I used a company where the bill hurts. Havent checked my credit card account yet so dont know if I was swindled, but can say we booked a "ford KA (or similar)" and were offered a panda or fiat 500, both 1.2. €32, good price i thought.
forgot to get the receipt from the hire lady, possibly distracted by her tremendous norks :P while simultaneously hoping the GF hadn't twigged
The nearest petrol station to Trapani is automated, happens to only to take cash (notes)
as the card machine has been disabled so that means everyone rushing back, has to dump in their only available notes left, brim fill and hurry back to airport and catch flight, it doesnt give change , gave the rest of my petrol (about a quids worth lol) to the brit bloke behind, wierd how you all become pals abroad, and think everyone is a tosser when back home!That is a brilliant and probably legal swindle by the garage. Makes you wonder who is organising that
Spent the holiday on car free Levanzo, snorkling not much driving.
The taxi from the airport at midnight was fooking insane, 7 up in a berlingo with saggy dampers and worn tyres.
Like I said the last time, NEVER AGAIN!
Booked lady taxi driver for the next trip (hotel organised, I demanded a lady driver), no problems nice and safe.
So thats my tip, pre book a taxi via your hotel and insist on a lady driver, or take the bus.
Buses and trains in Italy a´re very good & cheap in my experience.
Wasnt that much traffic about, the driving wasnt great, but not too bad.
Did see a lorry overtake on a blind bend tho.
The scenery, temperature, food, prices and people were top notch.
The snorkelling was awesome and only had two rows with the mrs
trust me to land a the only nordic beauty with a latin temperament.
Send me a PM if you want hotel recs
will try do some pics tomorrow
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