Milan car rental advice

Milan is the home of worldly pleasures; the shopping, opera houses and nightlife draw you in to its culture. The historical and modern points of interest can begin with a historical Duomo di Milano, a beautiful Gothic cathedral then discover that Milan is the home of Italian fashion. If you compared Milan to Rome, Milan is urban and modern where Rome is traditional and historical. Milan has historical landmarks like Castello Sforzesco a magnificent medieval castle or the Brera art gallery where you can find some of the finest artistic pieces in Europe.

A good way to experience the real Milanese lifestyle on your Italian holiday is to rent a car in Milan because you will be mobile and able to visit the sights of Milan in your own time. Creating your own itinerary you can take your time visiting the Pirelli tower or the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle the ancient and glamorous shopping mall.

You'll be able to visit  the fine shops, parks and many old churches. The many parks in Milan display beautiful greenery of relaxing and peaceful; there are so many sights to see in this cosmopolitan city. Enjoy the city on your time cruising around in your rental visiting shops, restaurants and museums.

There is so much to see in Milan, you do not have only visit the historical aspects there is the Museo d'Arte Paolo Pini that carries a contemporary art gallery collection. You cannot visit Milan and not go to the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology.

Traveling around Milan in a rental automobile opens so many doors. You witness such a mix of old traditional historical places like the Duomo and then you have all the modern buildings, art and the Cimitero Monumentale one of Milan's old cemetery is in a neoclassical style.

Going through the streets of Milan in your rented car allows you to visit the many places like driving down to the Via Dante a fashionable high street there are many sights like the city castle, street vendors and outdoor cafe table.

Sipping an espresso watching the many people of Milan going about their daily tasks, anyone who would like to visit Milan can do it at a leisurely pace. Take a casual pass by the many parks and gardens as the Sempione park that sits right behind the Sforzesco castle or the Giardini pubblici the public gardens which began in the 18th century.

Parking in Milan

The only disadvantage is that parking in the center of Milan can be very difficult.  And it can be expensive to use the garage.  Make sure you do not let a parking attendant in a uniform take your car to a garage, unless they are authorized by your hotel. It is best to drive it directly to the authorized garage.

Day trips from Milan

The advantage of renting a car in Milan is that you will be able to visit some of the places in the Lakes Region of Italy, which is a short 45 minute drive north of Milan.  Some of these beautiful places include Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, etc.

There are also many cities outside of Milan that by having an auto will give you an opportunity to see, namely the cities of Turin (via highway A4), and Bologna, an old university city with a lot of culture.  And for extended weekend trips, there is Florence and Rome to the south (use highway A7).

Skiing in Italy

From Milan, you can also visit the Alps, a mountain chain in northern Italy that has some excellent ski resorts.

Where to pick it up

The two main airports of Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN) are served by all the major agencies.  They are both outside the main city, and well connected by major roads including the "tengenziale" which is a highway that rings around the city.

Recommended

AutoEurope has been renting cars in Italy and all over Europe for many years and has a good reputation, and good reviews.

Enjoy the great city of Milan and its nearby attractions and have a wonderful holiday!

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Fun facts about Milan

Lake Como - a good day trip from Milan

L'Isola del Cinema - The Island of the Movie Festival

Every year since 2006, between late June and early September Rome hosts a movie festival known as La Isola del Cinema.  It is hosted on Isola Tiberina, right in the middle of the Tiber River.  This is an open air cinema known as Sala Visconti.  There is also another cinema in Trastevere called CineLab.

The films include many Italian and foreign films including Hitchcock and Kubrick retrospectives. There are also films by Wong Kar Wai, Robert Altman, etc.

The island (along with the banks of the river) are lined with cafès, bars, and restaurants along with vendors selling knickknacks, DVD's, etc.

Here is a video from a prior year, but it gives you an idea about what the unique Italian movie festival in Rome is about.

L’Isola del Cinema Via Carlo Armellini, 16 Tel: 06 58 333 113 Fax: 06 58 11 060

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The Train Ride from Rome to Venice, The Beauty of Italy

Traveling for the first time by train from Rome to Venice is an exciting experience that you do not want to miss out on. Italy has so much scenic beauty and it would be a shame to skip it, all because of a trip in a rental car or plane.

First time visiting Italy

If it is your very first time traveling to Italy, then taking a train to travel from Rome to Venice is the transportation for you. Even if you've been to Italy several times, the beauty of it's land is timeless and priceless. Visitors who have been to Italy before agree that a train ride is the way to go when traveling from Rome to Venice.

Money Saving Transportation

When you are on vacation the last thing you want to have to worry about is unwanted transportation fees. Renting a car not only will cost money per day, but it will also require you putting in more money for gas. Taking a train ride will save you money on gas, rental fees, and possible accidents that you could be responsible for. Renting a car means you or the person you are with will have to do the driving. There is no way to fully take in the breathless beauty of Italy when you are the one driving. A drive from Rome to Venice could be slightly uncomfortable due to the space of the car.  And since you won't be able to drive within Venice, you will have to leave the car outside the city limits.

A train ride gives you the chance to relax and be taken care of while enjoying the beauty of your surroundings. Plane rides can be extremely pricey, especially if you are traveling with another person. Flying doesn't give you a chance to see the scenery in full detail. Part of a vacation is experiencing the land you are in and appreciating it for what it's worth. Taking a plane ride can be uncomfortable and lack privacy. A train ride is safer and more relaxing as opposed to other means of transportation. Taking a train from Rome to Venice gives you the chance to just sit back and enjoy what your eyes are seeing.

Stress Free Transportation

Taking the train is simple and offers a stress-free environment. Rental cars will take more time and you risk the chance of getting lost. The more time you spend in a rental car, the more money you waste. A train ride would be faster but more comfortable, reliable, and all around better. Choosing a rental car means more stops and unpredictability. A train ride ensures that you are on the right track to going to the place you are trying to get to.

When you rent a car it becomes a hassle because of gas, mileage, and confining space that you can't escape. A train ride means you have the ability to get up, move around, and experience first class service.

Driving laws in Italy

The laws concerning the rules of the road differ in Italy from others and running into a restricted area by accident can leave you with an unwanted fine months later. Taking a train ride gives you a completely different experience that is much more enjoyable then a renting a car and doing it yourself.

Which train station?

From Rome, there are two main stations that you can depart:  Termini and Triburtina.  The Termini station is the one centrally located, and near all the hotels, attractions, ruins, metro (subway station), etc.

The station that you will most likely arrive in Venice will be the Stazione Santa Lucia.

How much will it cost?

The cost of the fare is typically 100 Euros each way. Often times there are fare promotions on Rail Europe.

How long will it take?

The duration of the trip is approximately 4 hours.

Will I have to change trains going from Rome to Venice?

There are times when you will need to change trains in the city of Bologna, (Stazione Bologna Centrale) and you will generally have 5 - 10 minutes between trains.  It is generally enough time to make the change.  Also on the way could be a stop in Florence (Santa Maria Novella) or in Padova.

Conclusion

So if you are planning on going from Rome to Venice, I highly encourage the use of the Italian rail system, as it is efficient, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Buon Viaggio!

Tips and Advice for Finding a Room in Rome

Rome is one of the top travel destinations in the world and as such hotels are often heavily booked. For the best choice of hotels and prices it's best to book in advance. 
There is a wide choice of accommodations in Rome ranging from luxury hotels to budget B&B's (bed and breakfast) so regardless of your needs you'll have plenty of options to choose from during your stay.

Where to stay in Rome

When deciding where to stay you ought to consider what you would like to see and do during your visit. Do you want to stick to just the well-known sites of Rome or do you want to be near transport for day trips outside the city?

Central Rome is quite compact and as such most of the city's main tourist attractions can be visited on foot without too much reliance on public transport. However, there are not too many budget hotels and rooms in this part of town.

Staying outside of central Rome will save you money but will obviously be less convenient.
The area around Termini Station is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay. As Rome's main station it is ideal from a mobility point of view but the same charm and atmosphere of other areas of the city and can at times feel rather seedy.

Rome Hotels / Alberghi a Roma

As you would expect from a city that has entertained it's fair share of the worlds rich and famous, Rome has a large number of luxury 5-star hotels. It's worth bearing in mind that a historic building in the heart of an ancient city doesn't tend to lend itself to facilities like swimming pools so if you're after sports facilities, green space or car parking you're better off looking for a hotel outside the city's central district.

Rome offers an assortment of hotels with 3 and 4 stars which tend to be comfortable without being painfully expensive. These are probably you're best option.

Although Rome does offer a selection of good hotels at the lower end of the price scale you should research carefully and check customer reviews before booking as a lot of these are just dodgy cheap hotels with appalling customer service. You really do get what you pay for.
The best budget hotels are small and fully booked well in advance, so if you want a good deal you should plan ahead.

If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Rome, they tend to be located near Via Veneto and near the Villa Borghese.

If being near the nightlife in Rome is appealing and important for you, then you should book near the Trastevere district.

B&B's in Rome

A good alternative to a budget hotel is a B&B. Rome has a large selection of B&B's and, if you don't mind missing out on hotel facilities, often offer more comfort for your money.
B&B accommodation in Rome seems to grow each year and has become a real success story in Italy. Although you may have to make arrangements in advance for checking in and depositing your luggage as staff are not likely to be on site all the time, B&B's tend to offer a more of a "home away from home" atmosphere.

Since B&B's usually have a small number of rooms it's best to book  as early as possible in order to find availability.

Tips for students in Rome

If you are a student and looking for a room, keep in mind that in June, July and August, you will have an easier time, as most students will leave their room after the school term.  In September, when classes start again, there will be a lot of competition for the most-coveted rooms.

Final tips

If you are looking for a traditional hotel, b&b, etc., it's best to book as early as you can.  There are some great options online such as Venere.com where you can find a room in Rome and they have pictures, reviews, prices, availability, etc..  You can also look in some of the Italian classified ads if you want to book from a private party, but you should use caution.  Finally you can stop by the Fiumicino (FCO) information kiosk at the airport if you are still looking for that last-minute booking, but you will more than likely pay top Euro for that.  And if you are a backpacker, your best bet for a last-minute booking will be to stay around the Termini area (main train station).

Buon viaggio!

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