I and seven friends intend slow travelling in Tuscany by motor vehicle. The car rental companies seem to have vehicles which will hold a maximum of eight people, but without room for eight pieces of luggage.
The solution, of course, is to rent two vehicles, but part of the fun is to be together. Do you know where we may rent a small bus (not a Greyhound)?
Or alternatively, do any of the rental companies provide a vehicle such as a Ford Transit with a small lockable trailer for luggage?
Any pick up point in Italy will do.
If you can help, you will make eight friends happy.
Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

I wouldn't do that. Some of the passages are so narrow that it's difficult if not impossible to get a full-sized sedan through them. I ripped a mirror off a car trying to back up in such a place. And then parking! Parking spots here are miniscule compared to what we are used to.
I'd get two smaller cars and switch off on who is in which.

LIke Decobabe said, big cars are more of a problem than a help here. Also, if the car is a large minivan type vehicle that can hold more than 8 people (which would have enough luggage space) you would need a special license to drive in Italy. Go with 2 cars.

Hi, Michael! Just something to think about...Renting two smaller cars may be to your advantage.
Remember that the secondary (and especially the really fascinating "white roads") tend to be very narrow and winding. A large van may feel cumbersome. In addition, local roads that go through small villages sometimes squeeze between houses. We've often been in the situation of needing to peer around a corner, making sure that no one is coming down the other side of the road, before making our move.
Also, with two cars you'll all have more flexibility in your plans. For days you want to travel together, you can keep in touch by cell phone.
Have you checked out Pauline's section on driving in Italy?
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/drive/about_drive.htm

Two cars will still be small for 8 people and their luggage unless you get two station wagons!
Also get those great walkie talkies..for when you get lost!
also haveing two cars really gives you more freedom and you can drive into the smaller villages better.
Driving in Italy is already a challenge..I wouldn't make it a nightmare.

Michael:

I agree with everyone above about renting two cars -- the flexibility will be good and...... group dynamics can be complicated. Granted you all like each other and want to hang out a lot -- but just in case some temporary personal conflicts should arise, the two conflicting parties won't have to necessarily be wedged in the same vehicle for the entire day -- might not be a bad thing. Also I'd think it'd be more fun to "mix and match" who rides with whom each day -- more variety. You'll all be spending lots of time with the entire group anyway, right?

As an addendum to Amy's post, check out Pauline's photos of narrow roads:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/drive/narrow_road.htm

I've found such things in many many towns which have even been problematic with a smaller car.

Zak from www.tuscanhouse.com is used to dealing with large groups renting the villas he represents and he told me that it does not work out having one large van. First people in the back of the van get carsick. Second it takes so long to get everyone ready in the morning that the day is half over before you get started (and because of the afternoon closing this is really a problem in Italy).

Plus all the points that everyone else brought up. It will be much better to have the two cars.

Have you rented a villa? Tell us all about it!!

Thanks for all the advice. It looks like we'll be taking two cars.
I might add that last year four of us drove a mini-van around central and eastern Turkey. It was already battered when we picked it up so it was quite easy to use it as a battering ram - much like a Catepillar in a junk yard.

Thanks guys!

Michael-

I second everyone else's opinion about 2 small vs. 1 large vehicle- I just spent some time driving on Sicily with friends' BMW (or maybe Mercedes- it was something German, I'm pretty sure) SUV/van type thing and had some breathtaking moments driving in the centers of Palermo, Catania and Agrigento. I couldn't imagine driving that same type of vehicle where I typically go in Italy- Florence, or Rome, or smaller towns. But, I also drive a very small car here in the States, so am not accustomed to such a behemoth.

Have you thought about looking into renting one of those car-top, locking carriers to put luggage in while you're travelling from place to place? They must have a name, but they look like clam-shells? I'm throwing out the idea and I'm pretty sure someone else on Slowtrav will have done it, and can provide details!

Maureen

That link someone posted of Steve standing in a narrow passage -- that's no joke. That's the street that is the only exit from the main parking in Citta di Castello. The first time I had to go through it I was screaming. I was in a Renault Kangoo, which is narrow but tall. Loads of room, by the way. My mirrors folded getting through. Care to hear how many cars I've seen have to back out, all the way to Piazza Garibaldi? (about 3/5 km.)
And Citta di Castello is no village.

'Twas I that posted that link and Pauline who put it on the site. I think it's a very informative (if dramatic) picture, especially for those who've not driven in towns in Europe. Not only do you find narrow passages like this in Città di Castello, but in many, many places. We tend to like to rent larger rather than smaller cars in Europe -- Bruce is 6'4" -- we usually end up with what they call a midsize car -- and yes, it's comfortable driving on the autostrada, but I've had a number of near misses or beginnings of scrapes etc.