Quote:
Originally posted by SandyI
I had an Alfa reserved but got a Ford Turbo Diesel Focus. I actually think they promise Alfas to all the Americans but don't really have any to rent at any time. But it didn't matter because the Focus rocked all the way down the Autostrade thru Tuscany. The Autostrade is great for three reasons:
1.) No one talks on a mobile phone.
2.) There are these truck stops called AutoGrilles which serve fresh Proscuito paninis and perfect cups of espresso.
3.) The slow drivers are on the right. The fast drivers on the left. And if you think you're going fast and then someone faster comes along, you get the **** out of his way.
And I agree about avoiding city driving at any cost. It's intense. Those roundabouts are real spincter tighteners.
Italy is a great vacation. Eye candy of all kinds everywhere you turn.
|
Your rental didn't happen to be a silver Ford Focus out of Milan, did it? Seriously, no problem running it about 90 mph alll day. I traveled quickly and efficiently at speeds that would have probably gotten me arrested here in the U.S. What a joke.... .
I rented from Autoeurope.com; it was recommended on an Alfa board. i'd rent from them again
Georg Kacher in Automobile Magazine said the Italians have the best lane discipline in the world and it shows. No left bandit BS there. I had a Quattroporte Maserati flashing his lights, I moved over and I swear he must have been doing 140 mph-and this was in some pretty dense traffic on the way to Bologna.
I'm a native New Yorker and drive quite frequently in Manhattan but nothing can prepare you for driving in Rome or any Italian City. At a red light every Vespa/scooter driver threads their through traffic until they are at the front-not good when you in a hurry.
I took a side road from Bologna to Maranello and it was a gorgeous day with some great roads-and I'm in a diesel Ford!!!!! A 997 Cabriolet would have been great although a Ferrari 430 Spyder would have been glorious.
Enjoy it-you only live once.