Italy : Road trip.

[bomb]

This year we hope to venture into Italy again.

Previous road trips have taken us as far as the Italian Lakes, but now we want to venture further South.

The main targets will be : Sienna / Rome / Naples / Bari.

We hope to find lodging on the outskirts of the main cities, and willget the train into the centres.

Any advice on 'good spots' to stay ?? We will be in the Griffith......

I have a 3 week time span to explore.

[davepoth]

You can do the route you've mentioned without leaving the Autostrada, which would be a shame. Head for the hills is the best thing, up into Abruzzo and Molise. I'd recommend hunting out the town of Capracotta where I had what I still consider to be the best spaghetti al pomodoro in the whole country. The roads around there are excellent, but beware of classic Fiat 500s overtaking you on hairpins.

http://www.ristorantelelfo.it/

[bomb]

Yes, we intend to keep off the autostrada, and use the scenic routes. DAy trips into the cities can be done via the bus or train.

I've had previous experience of the little 'Fiat 500 blighters' around the Lakes area. Sundays was very busywith cyclists too.

That link to the restaurant looks fabulous. We will try and fit it into our itinery. Thanks!

[Tasmindevil]

We followed one of the Mille Miglia routes in the old TVR 400SE starting at the Bresica Museum, a must to visit plus a beautiful city, we took the route to the East coast then down and into Rome, great buzz thundering through Rome (On a Sunday, best day to arrive to avoid the Fiat 500 Ben Hur chariot race). The route we chose took us off the usual tourist trails, on beautiful roads and scenery. The routes varied year to year but all circa 1,000 Roman road miles, some of the roads are quite challenging from a surface perspective.

James Martins attempt at the Mille Miglia gave me the idea, particularly after he spent near on £1m on the car, thrashed a newly built engine against his co drivers advice and made an embarrassing exit from the historic event. In contrast the cash point TVR (Name given to the car by mates, you can buy one with one transaction amount from an ATM) covered 3,500 miles without a hitch

I hope you find and have a great trip

http://www.museomillemiglia.it/

[Oi U]

18 months ago we stayed at www.vignadivalle.it which is a pleasant and cheap train ride out of Rome. The accommodation is good, the swimming pool very welcoming and the local town and castle very worthy of a visit. My link also has links to other local stuff. The owners speak english and are on email, while their little dogs always give a welcoming little bark to all visitors, so security is good. You might also take a look at http://bed-and-breakfast.it for other options in Italy.

[bomb]

Some great links there guys. Thanks for that.

Is driving in Rome 'off the menu', or is it a sensible place to take a Griff ?? I have been through a few large cities, but is Rome the 'chariot race' that you call it ??

I don't want to end up in the city with nowhere to park, or leave the car where its going to get damaged. If the train in and out of the city is a more sensible bet, I'd happily do that.

Any advice cahps ?? Send me some more links too, they are great !!

[Kenty]

Been to Rome a few times and stayed with a local, it really isn't worth driving, it's crazy! The signs are poor and parking impossible. You can walk to most of the sites or get a two day open top bus tour ticket, which is great, you can hop on/off at you pleasure. You will not see a lot from a car!

[davepoth]

Kenty said:

Been to Rome a few times and stayed with a local, it really isn't worth driving, it's crazy! The signs are poor and parking impossible. You can walk to most of the sites or get a two day open top bus tour ticket, which is great, you can hop on/off at you pleasure. You will not see a lot from a car!

I guess it'd be quite funny in a rental car that's already scratched and dented to buggery, but it really isn't a place for a vehicle you have any emotional investment in.

[Tasmindevil]

I would say taking a Griff into Rome is a must but only on a Sunday, forget the rest of the week but it was a terrific experience for us, the police waving us through roadworks and shouting to us to give it the beans was amazing. Parking was not an issue, sourced a hotel with parking. We stayed for a few days and left after rush hour so the journey was not to bad, check out the profile pic this was my goal to show the cashpoint car made it all the way to Rome from Scotland !!
Cheers

[weberedV12]

Hi Bomb.
When am on holiday I usually look for B roads, culture and good food.
Said that let me give some tips.
From Bologna to Florence go through Passo della Raticosa (n°65)and Passo della Futa - original Mille Miglia route - join A1 at Barberino, step off Florence which is a mess, and visit Chianti: leave A1 at Firenze Certosa and go to:
Impruneta-Greve in Chianti-Panzano-Radda-Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni(very nice)-Siena(stop half a day at least). Then you have seen the best part of Chianti.
Siena-Colle Val D'Elsa-Volterra(great road and Volterra is a beauty)
Volterra-Saline-Massa Marittima(again: great road and Massa M.is beautiful - by the way there's my farm here and you might share a bottle.
Here you have to decide: if you go to Rome get the SS1 and visit Tarquinia (great archeological museum). If you preferm to visit Umbria from Massa Marittima go to Pitigliano-Orvieto-Todi(here you are in Umbria and you may visit Bevagna, Spello, Assisi, Montefalco, Spoleto, Norcia.
Again, in Norcia you might head to Rome or go to Forca Canapina and Grisciano which is a great road to drive: here you are very close to national park of Gran Sasso d'Italia which is another beauty.
The above indicated places with the exception of the go through places Colle Val d'Elsa and Saline are all old little towns worth a stop.
As regards Rome I would choose a hotel featuring private garage but in the middle of the town, and forget to use my car.
Have no simpathy for Naples and those living there so I prefer not to say.
Exactly the same regarding Bari and baresi.
Hope you have enough to think of, if it's not please ask.
Bye

[Snowman23]

I'm planning something similar in September, will be stealing many ideas from here, thanks everyone