Driving holidays are becoming more popular for the independence they afford, but this kind of touring comes at a price.
Hiring a car for a week is not cheap, but corners can be cut, by renting a manual over an automatic and cutting the time it takes to the minimum of two to three days. Cheap B&Bs and guesthouses are available for people who look hard enough along the way.
1. What do I need?
Balls of steel to drive this winding route where the roads are so thin, there are people employed to wave traffic off and back on the route when coaches try to pass. One false move on some of the roads on the Italian Riviera and it’s a Thelma and Louise moment for you, except it would be into the Mediterranean and that’s kind of beautiful. Take a map, plenty to drink and bathing costumes for impromptu stop offs at scenic shores.
2. How should I drive?
Slowly. People who have done this route will probably say the same, that there is no other way. Try to avoid traditional holiday times and peak periods around working hours in the major towns along the route. This includes Genoa and Portovenere. Automatic cars save all the gear-shifting, but are more expensive to hire.
3. Which way should I go?
There’s a lot of debate about shortcuts along this route, but take the wrong one and miss out on the spectacular sea scenery. One recommendation is the E80, which is the main route, but perhaps less quaint. There are tracks closer to the edge of the sea, which may be good to nip in and out of, especially nearing Portovenere where the major roadway nips inland. Take a map and enjoy the adventure!
4. Where can I park?
Parking in the hotels is costly, as is taking a car in the first place, with some reports putting hire of a Mercedes hatchback at £250 for a week. That’s before drivers have factored in the cost of petrol. But driving the coastline is a great way to see the scenery and stop off at leisure in small towns, such as Camogli, Monterosso al Mare and Manarola to sample traditional food and wine. It also saves lugging bags between buses, which can be a pain when not travelling light.
Photo of road trip to the Italian Riviera by BlackSide
Topic: Tips and Ideas |
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Tags: Italy
About the author
Sarah is a freelance writer who has contributed articles to the Bangkok Post and Untamed Travel. She is now writing for Cosmotourist online.
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