Italy Driving Experiences

However you decide to approach the country, and whatever itinerary you map out, remember that the determined monument zealot could spend days (and in some cases weeks) in any one Italian city.

Italy has an excellent network of roads and highways that is one of the most extensive in Europe, comprising nearly 4000mi/6400km of express highways and 180,000mi/288,000km of secondary roads. The country's famous super highways or 'autostrade' ('autostrada' is the singular form) run the length and breadth of the peninsula. These toll roads are supported by an excellent network of secondary roads, classified into different categories of national highways ('strade statali'), provincial roads ('strade provinciali') and municipal roads ('strade communali'). Due to the success of companies like Fiat, Italians have a high level of car ownership. This can create congestion in some of the northern areas and in cities. But in southern parts of the country the roads are less crowded.

Driving in Italy is difficult at best, terrifying at worst, but never be daunted ! Millions of Italians and tourists do it every day, so there is no reason that you cannot master it.

On the whole, the Italian drivers are fast, but competent. You must concentrate on your driving and be alert at all times. It is best if one person navigates and one concentrates only on driving.

No human being can 'do' all of Italy, probably not even in a lifetime dedicated to the project. So do some research before you go and assemble a package of cities, monuments and countryside you particularly wish to see - and build in time for detours, long lunches and the unexpected!