DIRECTIONS
Getting There
Tips on how to get to your destination.
Arriving in Rome by Plane.
Rome’s main airport, (Fiumicino Airport, airport code FCO), also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport, is Italy’s largest. It is 16 miles from Rome’s city center and one does not have to go anywhere near the busy traffic of the city to be on your way to my home. From the airport, it is a 2-hour and 15-minute car trip to the house. I recommend that you consider renting my 2023 Fiat 500x 4-door, manual transmission car to use during your stay. My charge for this is $500 per week as compared to $1000+ per week you would pay at the airport, and, if you do rent my car, you and your party can be picked up and later returned to the airport by either myself or my property manager, Davide in San Venanzo, who speaks English.
The TOTAL cost for BOTH of those roundtrips is $600, well worth it, especially after a long flight. In Italy, the car is insured, so, anyone I approve can drive my car and be insured. Being picked up and returned also saves you from having to go to the car rental section of the airport, wait an hour+ at the desk, then having to drive 2.5 hours to my home. Later, when returning to the airport, it saves you the stress of having to go 2 hours earlier than you normally would, to return the rental car which you better have topped off with gas to avoid a substantial penalty. If you are just 3-4 people with your luggage, Davide or I will pick you up and return you in my car. More than 4 people (and their luggage) will require a larger car or van, the extra cost of which I will absorb. The $600 R/T fee, however, remains the same no matter which vehicle is required. Also, very convenient, is the fact that Google maps on your phone will interface with my car and the routes you choose will be displayed on the dashboard screen. I also keep a Garmin GPS unit at the house for your use, (no extra charge) if you wish. It has, saved in it, about 20 cool places to visit as well as some restaurants, It provides extra peace of mind and saves time when driving – and – no matter where you might be at the end of your day, you just press “Roberts House” and the route back to my house will display.
A Few Words about Driving in Italy:
Italian cars have the steering wheel on the same side of the car as in the US and Italians drive on the same side of the road as we do in the U.S.
Driving in Italy is easy. The roads are well-maintained, the signage is excellent, the roads have many safety features and there are more rest-stops, gas stations and snack bars on their highways than in the U.S. The things you hear about crazy Italian drivers speeding around like madmen are generally false, although you will see that somewhat around big cities like Rome and Naples (like you would in Manhattan or Los Angeles, for example). One thing that is very strict in Italy is the fact that the left lane of multi-lane highways are used ONLY for momentary passing and it is considered very rude to be driving in the left lane for any extended period unless you are passing.
Highway Tolls
Almost all autostrade (major superhighways) in Italy are toll roads. The easiest way to pay tolls on these highways is to use a credit card. As you approach the toll booths, look for the lanes with a sign showing the picture of credit cards. Insert the toll ticket first (with the arrow pointing forward), then your credit card (with the hologram out). To get a receipt, push the red button after you retrieve your credit card. Another benefit of renting my car, is that I have the Telepass (EasyPass) on the windshield of my car and I INCLUDE your highway tolls in the price that I charge for renting my car, so, your tolls are "on me" and you can just go through any Telepass lane quickly and with much less hassle than having to stop to use a credit card.
Breakdown Services
In case of breakdown on any Italian road, call the Automobile Club of Italy (ACI) office by dialing 803-116. My account # is PG904927489. On the autostrade, Italy’s superhighway toll roads, you can also use the emergency telephones placed every 2 km.
Insurance
If you are renting my car, the ACI (Automobile Club of Italy) is my insurance company and you are fully covered by my policy because in Italy the car is insured, so any person I say is authorized to drive my vehicle is covered by my policy. I have an extra good comprehensive policy but there is always a deductible (like in the US). My deductible is $500 which, when you signed our rental agreement, you agreed to reimburse me for, if, unfortunately, you are involved in an accident with my car and I am charged a 500 Euro deductible.
If you are planning to rent your own car in Italy other than my own, you must have valid insurance coverage. Basic coverage is usually included in the price but you’d be very wise to get full collision warranty and full insurance by paying extra.
Speed limit
Within the confines of cities and towns, the speed limit is generally 50 km. per hour (30 MPH). On other roads, maximum speeds are generally 90 km. per hour (55 MPH). For cars on main roads, 110 km per hour (68 MPH) for all cars and on superhighways (the autostrade), the speed limit is 130 km. per hour (80 MPH.
Mobile phones & Seat Belts
Drivers may use mobile phones only if the phones are equipped with an earpiece. Pedestrians have the right of way at zebra crossings and seat belts are compulsory at all times.
Navigation in the Car
Your i-phone or android, if it equipped with international roaming, should connect directly via the Smart USB port (in my car and most rental cars) to the car’s main dashboard screen allowing you to use Goggle maps to guide yourself around. Again, I also let my renters use my Garmin GPS unit at no charge during their stay, if they wish. I have already programmed dozens of towns, cities and restaurants in it which saves time and provides extra peace of mind while driving. At the end of your day you would need only to press “Roberts House” amongst the “Saved Locations” in the GPS and the unit will take you right back to my house. Past renters have loved having it.
Driving from the Rome airport to the House in San Venanzo.
The address of my house in San Venanzo is:
Via XXIV Maggio
#18
San Venanzo, Italy
Here’s how I drive from Fiumicino airport in Rome to the house:
A1, towards Firenze, but exit at Orte. At Orte, after paying the toll (about 5 euros), bear right and take the direction towards Terni on what’s called the E45 highway towards Perugia. Take the exit for Marsciano which curves you up and over the E45, heading into Marsciano. There’s a long, straight road that heads towards Marsciano, with fields on either side. This road ends at a roundabout. At that roundabout go LEFT, then at the next roundabout go right. At the next roundabout, (the third), go left. You’re now on the SS317, which heads up to San Venanzo. Stay on this road, going straight thru the next round about, then follow the road as it curves to the right. Stay in the right hand lane, following the signs for San Venanzo about 12 miles. As you enter San Venanzo follow the main road thru town past the small IP gas station on the right, then the post office on your left. JUST AFTER the Post Office, you’ll turn right, in front of the church, then immediately turn right again, so that you’re now driving uphill, with the church on your right. At the top of the hill, turn LEFT at the corner where the Cassa di Risparmio bank is. After turning left at the bank you’ll drive one short block then turn LEFT at the corner. As you drive down this street, (XXIV Maggio, our street) you’ll see a small (5 car) parking lot on the right. Our house is directly across from this parking lot (#18) and my name is on the left of the door. If there is a space in that little lot, pull in there. If not, continue down the street, and just as you start to curve to the left, pull into the space in front of my garage which is just around the corner of the building with the gate of the park right in front of you. Park there.