Continuing on from the last post in this series, this article aims to discuss more of the things that you need to keep in mind if you are planning on driving in Tuscany. Driving on Tuscan roads can be pretty stressful and there are some important (and unique) traits to the rules of the road in the region that need to be known before you ever climb into a car. In order to prevent your holiday from being ruined and any serious incidents or annoying missteps from occurring, here are some more facts that you should keep in mind.
3. Gas (and getting it)
Gasoline in Italy is at some of the highest rates in Europe, so bear that in mind. Also keep in mind that while the stations along the autostrade are open 24/7 and handy, they generally cost up to 10 cents more per liter.
3. Gas (and getting it)
Gasoline in Italy is at some of the highest rates in Europe, so bear that in mind. Also keep in mind that while the stations along the autostrade are open 24/7 and handy, they generally cost up to 10 cents more per liter.
Otherwise, hours tend to be from 7.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.30 to 7.00 pm. However, lots of places have automatic pumps now that take card or cash at a machine and fill your car as much as you've paid for. These machines can be a little tricky to work if you're not used to automated filling stations so make sure you're not in a hurry if you're using them and try to grab a local for help, if necessary. I speak pretty fluent Italian but stumbled upon a particularly confusing machine lately and only barely managed to figure out how to work the damned thing after reading the instructions repeatedly, getting help from a lovely lady (who didn't have a word of English) and then double-checking the instructions. As we were on our way home to the airport, it was pretty stressful so I wouldn't recommend it!
4. What to do if you break down/get in an accident?
If you are insured with such as AAA (USA), AA (UK) or RAC, you will be provided with an emergency assistance number while travelling in Italy but you can also call the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) for roadside assistance and a tow by calling 116. If you have the right insurance plan, you should be covered. Other important numbers to keep in mind are the Police at 113, Fire department at 115 or Ambulance at 118.
5. Directions
Tuscan addresses for things can sometimes be vague or it can be hard to actually pick out the place on the street. For example, when we arrived to our villa in the middle of the night recently, there were no street lights on that stretch of the road and house numbers were not visible. Luckily, I had plugged in the address to Google Maps which allowed us to figure out where on the road we should have been and I could jump out to check from the footpath. Similarly, we went to a vineyard in the middle of a mountain that, according to the map, was right next to us and it was hard to see which building they were referring to. After everyone disembarking the car and once all of us were poised to barge into a stranger's home, I realised we had the wrong place. Around the corner, there was a lane that brought us across the fields to the actual vineyard buildings but it was not easy to see or differentiate between the two buildings with the map alone. Moral of the story: make sure you have GPS and you use it. You may well still get lost but it is invaluable. Just have patience, double-check everything and have an idea where you're going before you set off.
With all of these things in mind, you should have an easier time of it! Just find a good base with a vacation rental in Chianti, for example, and explore Tuscany in a more relaxed state now that you have a heads up.
4. What to do if you break down/get in an accident?
If you are insured with such as AAA (USA), AA (UK) or RAC, you will be provided with an emergency assistance number while travelling in Italy but you can also call the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) for roadside assistance and a tow by calling 116. If you have the right insurance plan, you should be covered. Other important numbers to keep in mind are the Police at 113, Fire department at 115 or Ambulance at 118.
5. Directions
Tuscan addresses for things can sometimes be vague or it can be hard to actually pick out the place on the street. For example, when we arrived to our villa in the middle of the night recently, there were no street lights on that stretch of the road and house numbers were not visible. Luckily, I had plugged in the address to Google Maps which allowed us to figure out where on the road we should have been and I could jump out to check from the footpath. Similarly, we went to a vineyard in the middle of a mountain that, according to the map, was right next to us and it was hard to see which building they were referring to. After everyone disembarking the car and once all of us were poised to barge into a stranger's home, I realised we had the wrong place. Around the corner, there was a lane that brought us across the fields to the actual vineyard buildings but it was not easy to see or differentiate between the two buildings with the map alone. Moral of the story: make sure you have GPS and you use it. You may well still get lost but it is invaluable. Just have patience, double-check everything and have an idea where you're going before you set off.
With all of these things in mind, you should have an easier time of it! Just find a good base with a vacation rental in Chianti, for example, and explore Tuscany in a more relaxed state now that you have a heads up.
