Amalfi Coast – photo by mavenphotos on Flickr CC

3 Itineraries in Italy you must drive

Planning to make a trip down to ‘la bella Italia’? Don’t just visit the big cities, but also travel around the regional areas. Because driving through Italy is an absolute joy. One moment you’re driving through the enchanting countryside filled with rolling hills. The other moment you’re cruising along steep coastlines or through ancient, romantic city centers.

So fly over to Italy, rent a typical Italian car to match the surroundings and take a trip off the beaten path. Visit the regional areas that make Italy so special. Put your feet on the pedal and discover Italy with these 3 inspirational itineraries.

Tip! Book your car beforehand.

It’s a mistake to think that renting a car on the spot is cheaper. A lot of the time you’ll be discussing about the extra insurances, fuel policies and damages. Save yourself the hassle and make an online reservation through a car rental comparison site like EasyTerra. Simply enter your requirements for the car and they’ll show you the perfect match and deal for you. Now your trip can begin, without any worries.

Chianti – Italy – photo by Di_Chap on flickr CC

#1 The Classico Chianti Towns

Nearby: Florence and Siena

Distance: 100 km / 62 miles (SR 222)

Best driving time: Autumn (September)

The Chianti road, or as the Italian say, Chiantigiana, is the perfect route for wine and nature lovers. It connects two beautiful cities in Italy: Florence and Siena. So if you’re visiting these cities, why don’t you take a daytrip (or two) and drive around the oldest and most famous wine region in Italy!

Along this itinerary you’ll come across four charming Chianti Classico towns: Gaiole, Radda, Castellina and Castelnuovo. Each village has in own typical Chianti wines. The winding Chianti road leads you through the rolling tuscan hills filled with dozens of vineyards and wine castles you can visit. How more Italian can it get? Do stop along the way for some wine and cheese tasting, do some historic sightseeing and most important enjoy ‘la dolce vita’.

The itinerary

Gaiole (30 km

First stop (from Siena) is a little town called Gaiole. It’s a lovely, but small town with a couple of medieval monuments. Near Gaiole, you can find four castles. Literally step back in time in castello di Meleto, castello di Vertine, castello di Ama or castello di Brolio. At the last castle you can enjoy a wine tasting tour as well!

Radda

Radda is situated upon a hilltop and it’s streets are very narrow. So park your car near the old city walls and explore the town by foot. Worth a visit are the Palazzo del Podestà and Propositura di San Niccolò (square and city hall), Pieve di Santa Maria Novella (church) and Castle of Volpaia (castle and winebar).

Castellina

After spending some time in Radda it’s time to hit the road again. Off to Castellina. Castellina once was a strategic town between Florence and Siena. The 14th century mountaintop fortress, Rocca castle, is still there as proof. The castle is well renovated and has a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding countryside. An other site to see is the church of San Salvatore.

Castelnuovo

Last stop during this trip is Castelnuovo. It might be a bit difficult to reach by car, but the peace and quietness of this Classico town will be worth it. Take a walk down the historic center, through its narrow streets and eat some good Italian food at a local restaurant. If you want to end your day or trip completely relaxed, then pay a visit to the nearby hot springs of Rapolano Terme.

terraced vinyards at Cinque Terre – photo by Sergio Boscaino on Flickr CC

#2 Charming Cinque Terre

Nearby: Pisa

Distance: 85 km / 52 miles

Best visiting time: Autumn

Nearby Tuscany is ‘Cinque Terre’, located between Pisa and Genoa. Five little charming villages, built along the rough walls of the Italian coastline: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Although these villages are NOT accessible by car, a road trip through Italy is not complete without a visit to Cinque Terre. It’s on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. And with good reason.

As said you cannot reach the villages by car. The roads are simply to small. But how to reach them?

Take your car and drive up to La Spezia. From here the villages are connected by railway. When you reach Riomaggiore (the most southern village of Cinque Terre) you can start a 11 km long hiking path, called the Sentiero Azzurro (blue path). The section between Riomaggiore and Manarola is known as the Via dell’Amore (The Love Way). The views during this hike are amazing, but the path can be very challenging. If the temperatures are too high, you could always stick with the train.

The itinerary

Each village has its own unique character. Riomaggiore is a small picturesque fishing village. It’s also the starting point of the paved path Via dell’Amore to Manarola.

Manarola is another charming, but more quietly village surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. From here you can take a hike to Levanto. At the end of this, sometimes steep, path you can see all five villages of Cinque Terre. While in Manarola also visit the church of San Lorenzo.

Next is Corniglia, which is situated on a cliff top and basically has only one street. When arriving by train you’ll first have to climb the Lardarina, a big staircase with over 382 steps, divided in 33 parts! A ‘small’ workout, but you’ll get rewarded with an amazing view.

Vernazza is considered to be the most picturesque of the five. From the train station you immediately walk into the mainstreet of the village. Not to miss highlights are the bell tower the

Santa Margherita d’Antiochia and the old castle.

Monterosso al Mare is also built on a cliff and doesn’t have as much colorful houses as the other villages. It does have the best beach of the five. At the top there’s the Basilica De Chiesa di San Lorenzo, where you’ll have an excellent panorama over Monterosso.

Amalfi Coast – photo by Gwendolyn Stansbury on Flickr CC

#3 Spectacular Amalfi Coast

Nearby: Naples

Distance: 50 km / 31 miles

Best visiting time: Autumn or Spring

Further down Italy, lies the Along the Amalfi Coast. Along this coast runs a 50 kilometers long narrow and winding road. This road is considered to be one of the most amazing, but also thrilling, coastal drives in the world! Along this road you’ll come across several picturesque and pastel colored villages built against rugged white cliffs and some of the most exceptional ocean views.

The itinerary

Pompeii

After picking up your rental car you’ll be heading off to Amalfi. But make a stop at the archaeological site of Pompeii for an impressive history lesson. In 79 ad the volcano Vesuvius erupted and buried the city under thick layers of ash. Because of this ash, the city has become one the best-preserved Roman cities and shows you the ancient Roman daily life. You can still see the houses, amphitheaters and bath houses.

Amalfi

Amalfi forms the historic heart of the region and is therefore one of the most popular tourist villages. Once arrived in Amalfi, you can take a break at one of the many terraces and watch the city life at the Piazza del Duomo. Take the steep staircase to reach and visit the impressive Duomo di Sant’andrea. One of Amalfi’s famous highlights.

Also worth a visit is the nearby: Positano. Park your car after passing the Positano sign. There you’ll have fantastic view over the colored houses built against the cliff walls.

Sorrento

End your trip in Sorrento, famous for its limoncello. A typical Italian alcoholic drink, made from lemons. You can see these lemons growing along the coast during the spring and summer!

Q: Did you ever visit these places or have them on your travel-bucket-list? 

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