Car rental: where to go in autumn in Italy
High temperatures, overcrowded tourist destinations and high prices are now a distant memory: welcome autumn! Car hire is the best way to travel this season: the car gives you the freedom and flexibility you dreamed of for your on-the-road trip or out-of-town excursion to the wonderful villages, cities of art and unspoilt landscapes of our peninsula.
In this article, we will outline what requirements are necessary for car rental, which rental companies to prefer, and which destinations are worth a visit in the autumn period.
Basic car rental requirements
In order to rent a car, you must be at least 19 years old and have a valid B driving licence, issued at least 12 months ago. The document must be original, undamaged and valid throughout the rental period.
There is a surcharge for drivers under 25 years of age or for those who wish to designate a second driver.
At the time of booking, payment of the estimated rental amount, plus any additional accessories, must be guaranteed by a credit card. It is at the discretion of the individual rental agency to consider payments by debit card (Bancomat) or cash also valid.
Who to trust?
There are many rental companies and each one has its own characteristics. It is not enough to find the best offers, you need to make sure that the agency is reliable and available for every need, from the moment the car is picked up to the return of the keys.
Make sure the agency is based in major cities, such as Rome, Milan, Turin and Naples, and that it is located at all major communication points such as airports and railway stations. And remember that companies often allow you to leave the rented car at a different location than where it was picked up, just let them know.
Travelling in a group? Consider agencies that allow the rental of commercial vehicles with more than 5 seats so that you don’t have to share passengers in several vehicles (and save considerably)!
Stages
Have you ever thought about a trip to Sicily? It might seem counterintuitive, but in autumn the temperatures are milder and there are far fewer tourists, which means you can enjoy the maritime and inland landscapes at your leisure. Especially those in eastern Sicily, with the wonderful town of Taormina. And why not make a stop in Agrigento, in the Valley of the Temples.
Or, returning to the peninsula, why not consider an on-the-road trip along the Amalfi Coast? From Positano to Vietri sul Mare, drive along the most iconic and symbolic stops of the Bel Paese.
Or take a road trip on the scenic roads of Lazio, one of Italy’s most eclectic regions. Not only Rome, treat yourself to a stay in Gaeta, the ‘City of a Hundred Churches’. In this season, festivals dedicated to local products are celebrated in almost all Latium villages and are a must for food tour enthusiasts.
What about Tuscany? A land rich in art, culture and nature. From the Val D’Orcia to the Val Chiana, you can take the DOC wine and olive oil roads to immerse yourself in an autumnal setting while tasting the local goodness.
Going further up, why not go trekking among the lakes and mountains in the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia, in Lombardy. Moving on to the Veneto region, besides the inevitable Venice, you can pop into Verona, the city of love, and visit the Lessinia regional park in the Dolomites.
In conclusion, wherever you decide to go, your on-the-road trip can be easily supported by professional rental companies that will know how to support you with the most suitable vehicle for your needs.
