The joys of driving in Italy

Author: Mary Murfin Bayley
Picture by: Vladimir Fofanov

In Italian city centers it is good to walk or take buses, absorbing the architecture and street life, but getting into a car and hitting the highways is an efficient and enjoyable way to see the most of Italy. You can drive at your leisure through country lanes finding out-of-the-way hilltop towns or coastal towns, stopping for picnics in gorgeous view spots, or you can zip down the freeway making great time from one major city center or region to the next enjoying the scenery as you go.
The first time I got behind the wheel of a car in Italy I felt a tiny bit nervous. I had heard stories about daredevil Italian drivers and of motorcycles that zoom around you like swarming bees. As I made my way tentatively through narrow city streets, taking a few wrong turns, finding my way, I realized, to my surprise, that driving in Italy was fun and felt perfectly safe. Everything flowed. There was a sense of give and take. Drivers paid attention to each other, and to bicycles and pedestrians, in ways that we may not in the States, where we drive in our own little world sipping our “to go” drinks. In Italy, when you are driving you are driving. If you need coffee, you stop for coffee, drink it fast, and then get back to the task in hand.
Before you head out to the country roads and freeways there are a few things to keep in mind.
“Round-abouts” instead of stop lights are used throughout Italy (and most of Europe). Once you get used to these you will come to love them because you don’t have to wait while five different lanes of traffic take a turn for their light. Instead just slip into the “Round-about” going with the flow of traffic until you see the sign naming your destination and spin off onto that road. If you miss seeing the sign the first time just go around the “Round-about” again.
When you get on the freeways have plenty of change handy for the mechanical toll booths. The freeway signs are excellent and perfectly clear but the exits come up sooner than they do on U.S. freeways, so adjust your sense of timing. Use the left lane just for passing another car rather than as a driving lane.
Driving on the freeways in Italy can be a pleasure. There are well spaced “rest-stops” where you can stretch your legs, tank up the car, find great shopping (often featuring regional specialties), and have an excellent meal. On offer are either a full sit down dinner or a quick delicious hot snack. No wonder Italians don’t believe in eating “to go” in the car! All of this without having to exit the freeway. You can also stay at very comfortable hotels, such as the UNAWAY Hotel road-side hotels on this website, without having to negotiate your way into a city. That way you can have a wonderful breakfast, a swim in the pool, and head right out to discover more of the beauties of Italy from top to toe. Have fun and drive safely.

Article Source: Articlesbase

More European travel stories like this one?
Dumb laws in Europe
Five Important Tips In Traveling Europe