Exploring Across Italy By Car - By: Stuart Hely

Italy is naturally a popular travel destination, stretching from the Alps in the north to the Mediterranean south and offering a huge range of spectacular scenery and culture both inland and along the extensive coastline. The centre of the Roman Empire, Italian cities are steeped in history and in line with the Roman tradition of road building are linked by a comprehensive motorway system, The autostrade, designated as `A` roads.

Italy has long encouraged road travel and was the first country in the world to build motorways. In addition certain tangenziali (bypass roads round larger cities) are classified as autostrada as are brettelle, diramozioni and raccordi. These tend to be shorter or have fewer exits and are recognisable by the road name. Travel through the mountainous north is eased by three alpine tunnels, roads through these tunnels (trafori) are characterised by a `T`.

With so much to see and do and an excellent road network, self drive holidays in Italy are understandably popular and many car hire firms exist with bases throughout the county. For those unfamiliar with Italian driving, the reputation Italian drivers have for driving crazily should not act as a deterrent and if the aim is to explore more remote locations, doing so by car is definitely the best way.

Apart from remembering to drive on the right it is important to be particularly careful when overtaking, at roundabouts and when leaving services. Seat belts must be worn by all passengers and additional rules apply to the transport of children under 12. Speed limits are closely adhered to and drinking and driving could lead to imprisonment owing to the very low limit blood alcohol level allowed by Italian law. Being in possession of an International Driving Licence is highly recommended and should be carried at all times.

Car hire companies can be extremely helpful in terms of any additional rules and regulations relating to additional items that ought to be carried such as a reflective vest, a first aid kit or a red triangle. If a legal requirement exists relating such items, they should be included as part of the rental agreement.

Car hire companies can also advise on City Taxes - implemented relatively recently to reduce the pollution within the larger cities. If possible, it is worth hiring a car with some form of satellite navigation as, if set up correctly, this can help reduce the workload when driving a different car in a new country and visiting somewhere previously unknown.

Having arrived at the planned destination some knowledge of local parking rules is always useful. Whilst Italians are well known for making the most any flexibility within these rules, parking tickets are best avoided and pavement markings provide a good guide.

Italy is a beautiful country with an excellent road system to enable the traveller to discover as much as possible.

About the Author

This travel tip is brought to you by BookCentralCoast.com.au, the specialists in Central Coast accommodations and The Entrance accommodation on the NSW Central Coast.

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