With a proud tradition in luxury car design and racing events, Italy is the heartland of driving pleasure. Combined with their position as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, a self-driving trip through the country offers the best way to discover the Mediterranean beauty, Alpine delights and imposing Roman constructions that form the complex Italian identity.
Things to See and Do in Italy
Italy hosts a range of delights to tempt all tastes. Rome is littered with breathtaking ancient buildings, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Vatican within a thriving, modern city – a unique and bewitching combination. To the north of Italy, the Alps fall away into the rugged scenery of Milan and Turin, while the south offers a more Mediterranean climate with a distinct culture and cuisine, all within easy reach of National's cheap car rental. Tourist favourites include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the canals of Venice and the striking sight of Pompeii. Buried in AD 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and then painstakingly unearthed, the ruined city offers an unparalleled insight into Roman daily life.
A Holiday by Car in Italy
With such a range of climates and scenery to explore, travelling with a car opens up the Italian peninsula like no other form of transport. Italy is a country with roads designed for relaxed touring, and with the great range of car hire options available from National, your perfect holiday is available for less than expected. Travelling by car, whether via the numerous highways, rustic village roads or the winding mountain coastal paths, means hidden gems and tourist hotspots are never far away. With much of the very best of Italian food and drink hidden away in the countryside, your best discoveries may well be found off the beaten track.
Famous Road Trips to Take in Italy
Thanks to a well-maintained system of roads and a huge variety of landscapes, Italy offers a driving experience both exhilarating and comforting in equal measure. National's cheap car rental means world-famous Italian trips are in reach of everyone. Some of the very best drives can be found in the Tuscany region, home to rolling hills and miles of internationally acclaimed wine territory. Starting in Florence and ending in Orvieto, this classic route has an engaging mix of city and countryside. Alternatively, for the more daring, a trip along Amalfi Coast offers some of the country’s steeper roads, across rocky hills and plunging drops. While the drive may be hair-raising, the views and scenery are among the best anywhere along the Mediterranean, and include the grand historic cities of Salerno and Sorrento.