My Italy road trip

I might be lucky and get TWO OS trips in next year..

Here's one "for me" as a pure once-in-lifetime indulgence (still being researched) with no family in tow so can spend 100% on what I want and long as I want any place I want..

To "pop my Ferrari cherry" I was considering http://www.italy4real.com/index.php?...ts_info&pID=73 out of Rome.

Does anyone have have any experience with them? good? bad? indifferent?

I *don't* want to spend a million, I *do* want a "sampler pack" and the variety appeals strongly.. and a few hours on good roads is good for me. (in addition to museum, stores etc etc).

They *also* have a 458 on order to be available up in Maranello and *may* be ready for the timeframe I have in mind.

Any other suggestions? options for hire/driving experience?

 

take a spare passport.

 

Link fix: http://www.italy4real.com/index.php?mainpage=products_info&pID=73

(430 Scud + 599 + California)

 

I read somewhere on this site Italian ATM "6 digit PIN" and can't use 4 digit.. THAT'd be a bummer to find out on your first need for cash withdrawal.. need to confirm someone who's been there..

 

arrive fresh and watch out for gypsys

 

I recall pulling plenty of Euros out of the wall in Venice last year using my 4 digit PIN.

 

Excellent.. good news thanks!

 

I used 4 digit pin on my card for the 6 months I was in Italy this year, but check with your bank and make sure it's got one of the worldwide (Visa Mastercard Cirrus etc) connections. Be aware though that DEBIT cards are NOT accepted for many bookings, hire cars etc. I'd definitely suggest a proper credit card like Amex as well, especially for car hire bookings as they will assist with any charging disputes.

 

Oh - good point - thank you!

I had just ditched all my CC with just 2 cards now for EFTPOS and (Mastercard) DEBIT cards only.. so will check with bank on MC acceptance.

I would prefer to book and prepay all major items (accom, hires..) as much as possible and cash on the road for the rest if they don't EFTPOS or DEBIT.

 

Will definately need a CREDIT card for car hire (in case they need to charge anything after you've left, like fines etc). Also for many online bookings like hotel, they want credit card surety, but then you can pay cash when you check out and have the coupon cancelled.

 

Thank you for the above points: I will investigate!

 

Aa-Hem I have absolutlty no idea of what you,re saying re you,re first sentence.........

 

where were you today ?

 

In SUNNY FNQ,flying down for the Christian holiday break on 24th.

Good day then John??!!!

 

food brilliant, plenty of red shirts and MANY flags
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I don't know about the hire/drive thing, I have always driven "normal" and functional transport when overseas. I don't know whether you are able to do the Ferrari factory driving courses. They are expensive; but you get to drive a range of current models on Mugello race circuit ( Fiorano at higher levels). Much more fun driving on a track at speed than on congested crappy roads.
As far as Museums go, make sure you do the Ducati tour. Much more interesting than the Ferrari tour IMO and their museum is awesome. If allowed you could also check out the Lambo, Maserati and Pagani factories. There have been threads on this site about sites to see. Have a bit of a search and be well prepared before you go.

 

Researching aplenty let me tell you. Ducati and Ferrari a given, Lamborghini probably too.. thanks will check out Pagani, didn't know they had public anything.

Ferrari factory driving courses for owners only I thought? On a bit of a "budget" so unsure what can do in any event.. pref would be something like that, fallback *something* on a road at least.. mostly a matter of finding cost/fun balance.

 

I'm pretty sure you have to own a ferrari to do the factory tour, and it has to be organised/verified by the local dealer.

 

Thats my mail too.

 

Might be worth reading Alex...

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305862

 

Alex, I think you'll be better off in some kind of organised tour. The Italians are pretty disorganised and aren't great on the care factor so any individually organised activities will be risky. Even for an owner, the "service" at the Lamborghini factory was grudging at best. You'll get a look at the museum though - which is a 30 minute experience.

 

Yes saw that, hence prompted my question on 4 digit PIN!

Fraud is nasty stuff.. pre-pay major items and cash on the move sounds the go.. will have to wear any imprint/ripoff risk though.

 

Yes I won't go overly ambitious.. just a special drive somewhere in there would be good and not too much to ask I hope lol!

Someone I know experienced and who organises 'ring and exotic tours warned me:
"Just make sure you get all the assurances as the Italians do like to 'take the money and run!'"

 

I've never had any problems using Visa and Amex for purchases overseas. There's nothing special about Italy - fraud can happen here just as easily.

 

Unless you have a big budget, I recommend a more regular car but some interesting roads like Stelvio etc. I looked at renting a Ferrari in Nice a few years ago but the roads were so congested it would have been a waste of time without a local to show me the way. It was going to cost a fortune too.