Getting around 3/21 - Blessed is She

Car rental:

I wanted to answer a few questions here about what companies we used on this

month long trip. I think overall we had great success. I would in fact recommend these companies & we would use them again! Mike and I had only visited Italy as I mentioned once prior -in December 2019. During that trip we did not rent a car. We used public transportation; bus and mostly the train system getting our family of 5 around. We arrived into Rome and traveled via train to Florence and back to Rome (with a quick trip to my favorite place, Lucca- in Tuscany via train). The train wasn’t all that bad, it wasn’t overly expensive either. Tickets can be purchased online. Traveling with a family of 5 this seemed like the best way to save $. We also didn’t really research a rental car on that trip. So ….that trip we lugged and lugged suitcases everywhere switching Airbnbs. Actually, poor Mike he was the typical dad…suitcase in both hands, backpack in front and behind…while still trying to help me and the 3 girls. Yes, he’s the best! Yes we appreciate him! Yes he loves us anyway! 🙂 Even though the suitcases were all carry-on size, navigating cobblestone streets and up and down isn’t all that fun….nor recommended. Not for a family with vascular surgeries with a mom & 3 daughters with arms and hands that fatigue easily.

Lesson learned for the next trip….this last one. The first thing we had to do was Mike went and applied for an “International Driving Permit” at our local AAA office. It cost $20.00 and he was required to bring 2 passport photos (taken at CVS) along with the application form he filled out online. No test, nothing. This was extremely easy and that allowed him to rent a car in Italy. This was shown at the car rental agency in Italy. And you are instructed to always carry this on person when driving, along with your regular license of course. This IDP is good for 1 year from date of issue.

We originally rented a car only for 1 week, actually it was 8 days. We went with “Holiday Autos” which was right in the terminal, so easy to find….not for us. It actually was under “Italian Car Rental” so that was mistake #1 we made. If you can’t find something, look again at your reservation papers. It was it large advertising at the top “Holiday Autos” but, in small print under “supplier” there it showed “Italian Car Rental”. This made the loop around the car rental agencies a merry go round for us…..I think we walked the circle 5 times, each time kindly smiling at the ticket agents watching us loop around again. We did ask eventually and they directed us to loop again….We eventually found it on our own. Thank you very much!

We rented a larger car (not necessarily a full size) we needed length because I knew we were going to IKEA to purchase a couch. So we went with a Fiat Tipo. It’s basically a wagon style car. Very comfortable and easy for Mike to navigate. For 8 days we paid 131.58 euros. Not bad we didn’t think. We didn’t realize in Italy you are required to have 3d party insurance. This was an additional $80.00 ($10.00/day). Pick up and drop off was easy.

After we made our IKEA trips and btw….the delivery fee would have been $50-100.00 so to spend that plus an extra $100.00 to have a car for the week – was money well spent.

We did call to try and turn it in early, but we were told if we return it early we will not get a refund on the unused days. So that’s ridiculous. We decided to keep it until the contract ended 2/22-3/1. At this point we asked about a compact car from the same agency and were quoted $800.00 + for the remaining 3 weeks……..what? Thanks but no. Other than the outrageous cost for the 2nd inquiry, this company wasn’t bad to work with. They did charge a $1000.00 HOLD on your credit card until you return it, so keep that in mind. +39 0917773536

I then found ACE – Rent A Car. Offered at the ParkinGo. This is not at the terminal, however very easily you can find the shuttle to this company just outside the main doors of departures. You come out and walk left and there are designated spots for this “ParkinGo” shuttle. I’ve attached a photo, it was a black and red van. It doesn’t say ACE but ParkinGo. This was very easy! For the contract 3/1/21-3/31/21 so basically a full month the fee was 280.00 euros. We did rent a compact Renault Twingo. Mike is 6′ and found this fine and comfortable. It’s very easy to navigate parking etc. This was a standard (again keep that in mind). And since we had already raided IKEA, we didn’t need a “grocery getter”…that’s what Mike calls a station wagon lol. This company gave us a $50.00 month discount, unlimited miles and DID not require extra 3rd party insurance. It was included in the rental. So please check this out when renting. If you don’t mind an extra 30 minutes to wait a few for a shuttle, then the checkout. We didn’t find it bad at all. This company charge $1400.00 hold.

ACE car rental:

Rent@acerentacar.com. 877-822-3872

Hotel rental:

Once we knew we were headed home a week early, we knew our departing flight was 8:30 am out of Rome Fiumicino Airport. We decided to return the rental the night before, get our covid testing done the day before also, just in case GOD forbid one of us received a false positive and had to deal with that crap. Yes it can happen. Yes I’m speaking from personal experience. Luckily we didn’t run into that. We booked a night at the Airport at “Air Rooms & Lounge”. This was right at terminal 3 inside the airport. It’s located on the 2nd level. The check in was great! The rooms were extremely clean and comfortable. They do offer breakfast for 5.00 euros (we did not have the breakfast as we checked out at 6:00 am & that is when breakfast begins). The best part is you literally are AT the airport. You check out, walk down the tunnel to the terminal check point (they verify you have a departing flight and take your temperature) then you are in the terminal to go to the ticket agent. Extremely easy and if we can figure it out, so can you. Even if you’re a single traveler or a new traveler. I would recommend this hotel 100%. The room rate I believe was $140.00. However, we booked it through our chase credit card via points. I did find out there are other locations in Italy too! So if you are looking to fly into Rome and get a great nights sleep or have an early departure and want to be there early, ontime and ready to go…don’t hesitate to stay here!

inforoma@hellosky.travel – +39 0697150200

Shopping:

We spent plenty of time in several stores in Rome. If you are looking for a Home Depot / Lowes type of store you will want to look for these. Don’t be intimidated on having to do some light renovations yourself. If you are handy and somewhat inclined to do home improvements, YES you can do this in Italy. We did. Mike is extremely experienced, however even if you’re not, these stores have all your needs. Flooring, tiles, paint, home decor etc.

PS- you can check tools on your checked baggage. Mike checked his cordless screw gun, charger & a tool bag with assorted tools.

1.Bricoman -is excellent and geared toward a contractor. In and out get your supplies and go.

2.Leroy Merlin -is excellent and is your overall one stop shop; curtains, rugs, fixtures, wood, etc. We purchased our new stove top here.

3.Media World- is like your Best Buy. We purchased our space heater here and a vacuum.

4.Casa & Co- (I could be wrong, but I think this is a spin off of the Bricoman stores). This is going to be like a Ocean State Job Lot or Big Lots type of store. Mike was able to run here quickly for electrical supplies and plumbing supplies. He also purchased wood here for our open shelving/counter tops. We purchased our steam mop here.

5.BigMat- This is another contractor type store with plumbing, heating (they sell pellet stoves and do installations).

Grocery Shopping:

Our local village had a few options, one:

1.Conad -right at the top of our street. It is excellent for all your grocery needs. Prices are excellent.

2. Todis- another grocery chain. Much like Conad

3. Tigre- there is a Tigre grocery and then a Tigre like Dollar Store type of store.

Internet:

We were told to check EOSO in our village, or just down the road. It was more of a cable, tv company. We were told it would take 30 days for a tech to come to the house. We didn’t know any better yet, so it seemed a bit ridiculous as we only wanted Wifi…see my previous entry about our google translate in the store! Hysterical.

Vodafone: This is where you can just get wifi or a cell phone plan. We were told 3 days for a modem, however we had an issue. But don’t expect to have issues….It’s just how we operate. Even in Italy, we have issues lol. Even after 30 days, we left without a modem. Next trip!

I hope some of this information can help you on your upcoming trip! I hope it can help you feel less intimidated. We had never done any of this before. Renting a car and driving it for that matter is pretty scary. Especially if you don’t know the language. We do not know Italian. And yet, it still can be done. How was driving….

Let me say just have patience and buckle up! Remember the old ATARI game from the 70-80’s FROGGER? That is how I describe the drivers in Italy. Our neighbor Lida explained it as a game, the “take over”. It really is insanity at its best. The drivers will actually “over take” or what we call in the US “pass” you. But, they’ll do so on a curve….WITH CARS COMING! It can be quite unsettling. It is very scary. When you see the crosses on the side of the road from previous accidents, you wonder was it really worth getting 1 car ahead? So sad. What makes it worse, driving into Rome on a Saturday and Sunday we were part of the “over taking” with bicycles on the right shoulder….even more terrifying. I have included a video I took. Mike was of course driving and I was filming.

The good news with driving is we have T-Mobile/Sprint. We did NOT need an international sim card for our phones. We were able to use google maps and navigation right from our cell phone. We maybe 1-2 times couldn’t get the directions to start, but found if we just drive a bit, you can easily go from 0 bars to 3 and have service. We did NOT rent the navigation in the rental. We did NOT get the toll transponder. Everywhere we went we selected “no toll option”. Mike did the driving and I did the navigating….ok, I did the picture taking and swearing as the guy behind us was up our arse trying to “over take” us on a massive curve with a truck coming!!

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. I am available to try & answer any questions! I try to go by questions I have received and respond when I can. It’s so much easier now being on wifi and seeing this on a computer, rather than my cell phone! Again, thanks to everyone who has followed along & sent such awesome encouraging comments!! I know I’m forgetting many things, I’m just sitting here trying to recall what we recently went through. I do hope this helps someone! I hope it helps you feel empowered to book that trip and go explore! You certainly can do it!! Even if you have never done so before. Yes it is intimidating. But just know you can make it happen!

Ciao friends 🙂 ☺️

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