Rome Italy's City of Romance by Car

There is so much to explore in Rome, Italy that you won't want to miss a minute of it.  Whether you are touring the Colosseum, Roman architecture, Roman Forum or the Vatican you are going to need a map of the city so that you can get your bearings.  Be sure to purchase a detailed map so that you can get your bearings before you ever leave home.  If you plan your route ahead of time then you won't lose any time because you got lost in the "Eternal City".  When you rent a car you will be given a map, but it may not be as thorough as you need it to be.

Although you can get around Rome on public transportation or in a taxi you might want to see Rome on your own timetable.  This means that you can book a rental car online before you arrive in Rome then sightsee on your own schedule.  If you plan to book your car online you should be able to find out if you will need an international driver's license or if your regular license will do.  You can find out helpful information about other documents you may need to rent a car in Italy as well. Whenever possible ask if there are specific road signs you need to be familiar with or driving rules that may be different. 

Something that you may not be aware of is the manner of car you will be renting.  In most countries in Europe you will get a manual or stick shift transmission.  They offer the best rates as automatic transmission cars aren't as prolific as they are in the States.  If you have a discount program through your airline or automobile club you should mention this when you book your car rental Rome online.  Extra equipment such as a GPS system, child seat or satellite radio generally will cause the rate of the rental to go up.  If you have more than one driver you can also expect to pay for the additional driver which will again increase the cost of the rental.  Waiting until you get to your destination is not a good idea as they could be out of cars or you could pay more as onsite rates are often higher.

If you are under 21 you may find that you can't rent a car in Rome and in some cases you may have to be at least 25 years of age.  Another requirement is that you must have a valid credit card or debit card to secure a deposit for the vehicle.  If you aren't going to be carrying either one of these it is imperative that you pre book your rental car online so that you can prepay and receive a voucher.  You should be aware though that many rental car agencies will still require a credit or debit card as a security measure.

As you book your airfare and car rental you should also find your Holiday Apartments Rome online so that everything is taken care of before you leave home.  Staying in an apartment will give you a true feeling for how Italians live and give you more room to relax in.  

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