hello. we are trying to figure out whether we should attempt to rent a manual while in umbria/piedmont for 10 days. we are americans who drive automatic cars at home, though my husband has some familiarity with driving manual. basically, he can get the car into gear, and go pretty slowly and cautiously on flat roads. our concern is that stopping on hills and/or hitting traffic on hills might be a problem as getting into gear slowly would cause us to roll back into the car behind us. our plan is to drive to various towns and park on the outskirts and make our way into the city.
Can anyone comment on the road conditions of these 2 places?
The Tuscany/Umbria area is quite hilly and driving in town requires a fair ability with a manual transmission. I don't find it any more challenging than driving a stick in the US but only your husband knows how comfortable he feels with a manual. Perhaps he can borrow or rent a manual in the US to practice with so he can better assess. I also drive automatics but a stick is kinda like a bicycle, it comes back pretty quickly.
Posts: 279 | Location: falmouth , MA USA | Registered: 09 December 2003
Jlee - Unless your husband is a competent, capable driver on a standard trans I would suggest that you rent an automatic. There are enough distractions if you are not accustomed to driving in Italy without worrying about car control too. As Popeye said, it is very hilly and streets can be VERY narrow with tight turns in town. I believe that you are better off being safe than sorry. Unless your husband can get some serious practice in on hills in the US before your departure it is not a good idea.
Please also remember that most hilltowns/villages have convenient parking lots outisde the city walls. Do not drive into historic areas or you will be faced with some difficutl driving. Do not drive into large towns (e.g. Rome or Florence) to collect you rental car. Use public transport until your destination and hire a car from a smaller place, e.g. Perugia in Umbria.
That will save you considerable stress and possibly parking tickets. In fact parking in the centre of most villages and towns is reserved to residents or forbidden alltogether.
