Category: Italy

Driving in Italy can be a stressful experience especially if it’s not in the language you speak or the side of the road you drive on. Personally, as long as it’s not city driving it’s well worth getting a car in Italy to explore the towns and regions.

As a tourist, it’s always great to study up on the rules of the road before renting a car and driving yourself around in it. This everything I learnt when driving in Italy. P.s. if you happen to be visiting Tuscany check out the beautiful town of Radda.

Do I need an International Driving License in Italy? (Officially known as International Drivers Permit (IDP))

Renting a car anywhere (apart from your home country) will require you to have your passport and driver’s license. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP).

For those that hold a European Union driving license you will not need to obtain an International Drivers Permit (IDP). I drove in Italy with my UK license which is the pink format UK license (full license), however, if you are on the green format license (provisional) you will not be able to drive in Italy.

If you have a non-European Union driving license you will need to obtain an IDP before arriving in Italy.

How to Obtain an International Driving Permit?

You can get an IDP at your local association for example;

• American Automobile Association
• Canadian Automobile Association office
• For Australia check Smart Travellers for state-specific IDPs issuers
• New Zealand AA Motoring.

Make sure you go via an official website as there is a scam out there for IDP’s.

It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure that they have the appropriate paperwork. Even though you may not be requested to show your IDP by the car company or travel agent, if you get pulled over by the police they will be expecting to see your IDP. I recommend even though it seems a silly process it gives you peace of mind while driving legally during your trip to Italy for only a small fee.

Cheap is not always best when renting

For our trip to Italy, I rented a car from a cheap hire company. It’s not awful but make sure to read the fine print and know exactly what comes with your rental. They really lure you in with their great offers!

Check the simple things like no hidden fees, how many drivers you can have or that you have unlimited mileage.

I may have hit a sign with our rental car (whoops…) thankfully it was exactly where there was damage on the car previously and no one was the wiser of my minor accident. Otherwise, those nasty fees would have definitely stung me.

Driving in a new country can be stressful (especially Pisa!) and caused my minor accident so make sure you have insurance. One of the biggest ways that car rental companies earn money from you is via insurance. Picking up third party insurance will save you a ton of money.

Manual Transmission is the Preferred Choice

In Europe, it’s very common to get manual transmission cars and will be the option provided to you unless you specified otherwise. Make sure you let the car company that you want to rent an automatic or choose it as the option on the booking site and be prepared to pay a lot more.

What else do I need to carry in my car when driving in Italy?

I had no idea there were certain things that you need to carry in your car when driving in Italy. Thankfully the rental car companies will provide you with these items which they did for mine. Being in Tuscany I did not think I would need snow chains in March!

Double check when you pick up the car just in case. Planning to drive your own car in Italy you will need to consider purchasing some of these items. So what do they expect you to have?

• Warning triangles and reflective jackets (compulsory attire) – in case you need to pull over on the side of the road
• UK cars will without a GB-euro symbol number plate to display a GB sticker
• Snow chains during the winter months

Other items to add to your checklist:

• Full and valid driver’s licence
• IDP card (if required)
• Proof of Insurance
• Passport/national ID
• Headlamp beam deflectors (if required)
• Proof of ownership (original V5C document, not a photocopy)

Get a GPS or a Map

I totally recommend that you get some sort of map or navigation as the roads or routes to get to places aren’t that straightforward. There is no way I would be able to navigate driving around without a GPS or a map.

Which side of the road do you drive in Italy?

In Italy they drive on the right-hand side of the road. Being a part of the small third-party of countries that drive on the left it can be a tad confusing (at least for me).

How Do Petrol Stations Work In Italy?

As I went with a cheap car hire company we had to fill up the car before going on a road trip the first lesson that we learnt and ended up with some pretty expensive full. There are two options to fill up your car, by an attendant or self-service.

Turns out when the attendant fills up your car you get charged extra €16 cents per litre or gallon (I can’t remember). So make sure you find the self-section to save yourself some serious cash. It also seems to be the option that has the least amount of fill-up points.

Look out for these signs to tell the difference between self-service and attendant service:

Service stations are very frequent along all of the motorways just like most of Europe.

Speed Limits in Italy

Speed limit signs seem to be very limited i.e. the ones that actually show what speed you are meant to go. Most signs are the national speed limits signs so they expect you to know the speed limits before you drive. Make sure you memorise this speed limit in the table below and don’t forget the speed limits vary depending on the weather.

Speed Limits in Italy	Motorway	Dual Carriageway	Open Road	Town
Dry Weather	130 km/h	110 km/h	90 km/h	50 km/h
Wet Weather	110 km/h	90 km/h	80 km/h	50 km/h

It Might Be Close But It Can Take You Long Time To Get There

Italy has a lot of windy Roads not very many highways and the roads can be in quite a poor condition (which they introduce speed restrictions for instead of fixing the road). It might be 7 miles away but it can take up to 40 minutes to drive due to this unless you are a rally car driver.

Everyone Goes Faster Than You In Generally

Coming from Australia we would only have pretty strict road rules whilst some people break the rules we tend to be careful in breaking the rules as there are massive fines if you are caught. However in Europe you can get some people are going 50 kilometres over the speed limit. As a left lane is generally where people speed or overtake you keep to the right-hand lane. This way you don’t feel pressured to speed and save yourself a speeding fine.

What is the alcohol limit in Italy?

Drinking wine in Italy is definitely alluring especially with lunch or dinner. The alcohol limit in Italy is 0.05% so no more than 1 to 2 wines or the safest option don’t drink at all.

How are fines issued in Italy?

Police officers usually do not patrol the roads but if are and pull you over the fine will be issued on the spot. The police can collect 1 quarter of the maximum fine and must give you an official receipt for the amount of the fine paid.

If there is a sign showing with a police officer with a hand raised or orange autovelox boxes this indicates that there will be speed traps and check points.

There are lots of cameras set up to register a car’s speed and if you are running over the limit it will automatically issue a ticket. If you’ve rented a car in Italy, the ticket will be sent to the car rental company and they will generally charge it to the credit card they have on file plus admin fees.

Signs on the Autostrada

Italy uses international road signs. You will see signs like national speed limit which is white and black, green background signs that indicate road names/ types and general signs saying:

• Uscita meaning Exit
• Entrata meaning Entrance
• Tangenziale meaning tangential, usually a ring road around a large town

Tolls

Motorways in Italy can have tolls which are really easy to identify as they will have toll stations. There are three ways to pay for the tolls:

• Cash
• Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club are accepted.
• Telepass – unlikely method as a tourist, it requires you to have a transponder and linked up to your bank account.

Depending on how you would like to pay, look out for the following signs:

• Cash follow the white signs
• Credit card follow the blue signs
• Telepass follow the yellow signs.

Be Careful at Entrances and Exits on the Motorway

You will generally find that the entrance and exit ramps for the motorways in Italy can be very short or have quite tight corners so be careful when approaching these.

Tailgating is Common

Coming from a country where you are supposed to give space on the road, this is the total opposite in Italy. Italian drivers drive much closer to each other than we’d be used to especially when overtaking. They can come right up to your rear bumper and be a little daunting so the easiest thing to do is slow down, let them overtake and continue to drive safely.

Never drive in the ZTL!

They have these zones called Zona Traffico Limitato (“ZTL”) also referred to as the“Area Pedonale” which are areas restricted to limited traffic and/or pedestrians only. It’s illegal to drive in these zones unless you have a special permits to do so. Most permit holders are police, public transport and emergency vehicles so not us tourists!

Watch where you park!

Ah parking in Italy can be a nightmare in certain areas especially the big cities. Its best to check with your hotel where the best places to park and how to pay for parking as they will have the insider knowledge.

Always make sure you have a ticket from the nearest parking meter and display it, the fine can add up really fast. The meters are normally coin only so have a few euros prepared.

Other tips

• No brainer tip, wear your seat belt.
• Age limits apply to where people can sit in a car, for example children up to the age of 12 cannot travel in the front seat.
• Don’t use your mobile phone while driving (again common sense).
• Always have your headlights on, they are compulsory when you are driving on motorways, dual carriageways and on all out of town roads.
• In some countries I know they allow you to turn right on a red traffic signal but this is illegal in Europe.

Let us know in the comments below your tips for driving in Italy!

Dreaming about holidaying to a picturesque Italian town that is full of good wine and food, plus has incredible views like this?

Look no further than the Tuscany region and the beautiful town of Radda. The town was originally built as a fortified town, some of Radda’s original city walls and towers are still intact. It’s architecture isn’t the main attraction its primary claim to fame is as a wine destination.

With that there are a variety of wine bars, wine-centric restaurants and numerous well-known wineries in the surrounding countryside. So you can imagine it’s the perfect place to base yourself in Tuscany, it’s close to restaurants, surrounded by good wine and a drive away from major sites.

What to do in the Dreamy Town of Radda in Chianti

With an introduction like that you can guess that most of your time in Radda is spent drinking the fantastic wine, wandering the vineyards, eating and a day exploring the nearby towns. Here are 8 things to do in Radda, technically it’s 10 as point 8 is two day trips to neighbouring towns.

Wander the Street (Town Walls, the Government Building and Medieval Walkways

Radda was one of the towns in the Chianti region built as a fortified town to protect Florence from their “enemies”. The town had a few hiccups along the way and was completely destroyed in the invasion of 1478. Not to fear, the town was rebuilt (otherwise we wouldn’t be here)!

So take a wander around the cobblestone streets and explore the history of Radda, discover the hidden and the city walls surround the town.

Discover the Local Wineries

Of course, wine lovers will have a great time during a Tuscany break, as outside the town the vineyards stretch for miles and the local shops all stock a good supply of famous Chianti wines.

I made a massive assumption when I was planning to visit the wineries that they would be open! You need to book with the local wineries to try their wine, especially during low season. We surprised this Italian lady when knocking on her cellar door, she really didn’t expect tourists to be wandering around wanting to try wine.

To find out what wineries are in the area skip to the next section.

Learn about Chianti Wine

Over 700 hundred years ago a wine brotherhood formed called Lega del Chianti. They were there to protect the Chianti region and improving agriculture, in particular, wine growing and making. Basically, they are the reason we have commercialised wine from the area.

The famous rooster on the Chianti classic wines used to distinguish the wine from the area actually comes from the middle ages when Chianti has a “black rooster against a golden background” as its emblem symbolizing the close relation to the land.

I wish there was a wine walking tour in the region that covers the history as it sounds absolutely fascinating, however, there isn’t so this would be a self-learning activity. Or ask one of the locals/ winemakers to tell you about the region and the wine!

Slightly further out in Greve there is a Wine Academy. They offer several tastings and tour options. The Lords of Tuscany wine tasting will teach you about the history of Tuscany while guiding you through a tasting of some of its great wines.

Eat lots of Italian Food

Naturally in Italy you need to eat all the delicious Italian food. From casual trattoria (less formal than a restaurant, generally with no menus and wine served from a decanter) to restaurants offering a range of food from traditional dishes, cheese and wine pairings to pizzerias.

I’ve listed all the restaurants we visited in Radda below. 

Try Cantuccini with Vin Santo for Dessert (Biscotti di Prato)

We were introduced to dipping cantuccini with Vin Santo (Biscotti di Prato) in Radda. This dessert is one of the more famous desserts from Tuscany. Either pick up the combination in one of the local stores or order at one of the restaurants (it’s a popular item on the menu). Simply dip the cantuccini in the wine. As the biscuits are quite hard the wine dipping softens the biscuit a little before eating.

It’s the most amazing biscuit and food combination ever! Replace my coffee and biscuits with this any day!

What is Vin Santo? It is a sweet dessert wine and golden yellow in colour. The wine is made from dried malvasia and trebbiano grapes from Tuscany that is aged in barrels for over three years.

What is Cantuccini? It is a twice baked almond biscuits.

Enjoy the views

The Chianti region is an area Tuscany that stretches between Florence and Siena. Have you seen the gorgeous photos around of Tuscany? If not, here is just a perfect example of how stunning the area is….

Find a spot where you can enjoy the endless views of vineyards, olive groves, the magical sunsets and just the scenery in general. A bonus if you find a balcony where you can have a glass of the locally produced wine!

Pick up a souvenir

Browse the boutique shops for traditional gifts and souvenirs, find locally made crafts and goods, and stock up on quality olive oils and wines. Buying souvenirs is not something I normally recommend but I love boutique shops especially ones that are selling kitchen gear! All the shops here are run by the locals so you will be supporting them as well.

Explore the Neighbouring Towns

The two choices I would recommend visiting on a day trip is San Gimignano and Sienna. The towns are roughly an hour’s drive from Radda.

The towns are hot spots for tourists so if you want to avoid crowds of tourist buses and vendors fighting for your dollar then head early or later in the day to get the full charm of the towns. 

San Gimignano

Located up in the Tuscan hill side you will discover a visually striking and perfectly preserved walled town of San Gimignano. An iconic feature of the town is the 14 towers which once used to be 72. The locals used to have competitions on who could build the tallest towers until the Florentines decided to knock them down (except for San Gimignano lucky 14 towers).

Here’s a quick half a day itinerary:

At the centre of town is Pizza della Cisterna, a lively square filled with history, rustic façade and most importantly the best ice-cream is located in the square! Gelateria Dondoli. Make sure you grab some gelato here as it’s amazing then perch somewhere and people watch.

Wander to the Piazza del Duomo where the Romanesque cathedral stands. You’ll find Sienese Gothic art from the 14th century. Admire the pair of towers nearby that have stood by each other for more than 700 years. The towers were built by the Salvucci family as vanity towers to show off.

Get a bird eyes view of the city by heading to the newer City Hall, at 200 feet it is the tallest tower in the town. In side the City Hall there is a museum that documents how people dressed, lived, worked and warred in the 14th century.

Other places to consider visiting:

• Torre Grossa
• Palazzo Comunale
• Collegiate Church of San Gimignano
• Sant’Agostino Church

Siena

Located slightly south of Florence is the wonderful Tuscan city Siena. Immerse yourself in the Gothic wonders of the city, dramatic architecture and one of world’s most unique piazza. 

Here’s a quick half a day itinerary:

At the heart of Siena is the Piazza del Campo and should be the starting point of your visit. It is one of the biggest medieval squares in the world and has an unmistakable peculiar shell-shape. 

Make your way to the top of the square to find Fonte Gaia, its one of the most beautiful fountains in Siena. Unfortunately, it is a copy but you can see the original at the Museum complex of Santa Maria della Scala. 

Head to Torre del Mangia for a bit of exercise and breathtaking views. Once you’ve climbed the 400 stairs you will be presented with views of Piazza del Campo, Cathedral and the distant hills of Tuscany. 

Climbing stairs certainly makes me hungry and there are lots of restaurants to choose from but I find the best places are the little hole in the wall types. Look no further than La Piccola Ciaccineria it’s a great little pizza place. There are no seats so you will need to find somewhere to perch but for the price and quality, I have no complaints. 

Other places to consider visiting:

• the Cathedral
• the Baptistery
• the Complex of Santa Maria della Scala
• the Public Palace of Siena
• the Civic Museum
• the Church of San Domenico

Local wineries that offer tours and wine tastings near Radda

Don’t be disappointed like we were and make sure you book in advance! All the websites, email address and phone numbers are included below to make the booking process super easy.

Vignavecchia

Only a short walk from town is Vignavecchia winery. It’s a winery that has been run by the Beccari family since the 1870’s producing a number of well-made red, white and rosato wines.

Website: https://www.vignavecchia.com/
Phone: +39/0577 738090

Castello di Volpaia

Winery in a castle anyone? A short drive away from Radda is the town of Volpaia. The village was built in the 11th century and most of the original architecture is still intact. The winery produces several highly-regarded Chianti, Chianti Riserva and Super-Tuscan wines and the whole village seem to be involved in the production!

Reservations are required to tour the cellar and/or taste wines. The price for this is 16 euros If you miss booking a tour then there is a restaurant plus it comes with a terrace on the castle walls.

Website: https://www.volpaia.it/
Phone: +39 0577-738-066.
e-mail: [email protected].

Azienda Agricola Il Barlettaio

Azienda Agricola Il Barlettaio is a local winery run in Radda run by the Minacci family. The winery is known for producing classic Chianti wine and produce a small number of bottles each year.
We tried the:

• Barlettaio 2014
• Barlettaio 2013
• Barlettaio Riserva 2011
• Barlettaio 2012

Just outside the shops is some picnic tables where it is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the stunning landscape of Tuscany.

Website: https://www.barlettaio.it/home%20gb.htm
Telephone and Fax: +39 0577 738322
e-mail: [email protected]

Castello d’ Albola

Castello di Albola is a drive away from Radda, whilst close the winding Tuscan roads will take you a little time to get there. It’s the highest vineyard in the Chianti Classico region with elevations from 1,150 to over 2,000ft above sea level.

It’s beautiful estate that you can immerse yourself in Chianti Classico. The winery has been established since the 11th century and then bought by the Zonin Family in 1979. The family are passionate, dedicated and engaging winemakers. The estate upholds old practices of winemaking since it was opened. Try their Albola wines, including their awarded Chianti Classico and Classico Riserva. They also make an 8year old Vin Santo which means you can totally have Biscotti di Prato!

The tour and wine tasting is 15 euros.

Website: https://www.albola.it/
Phone: +39 0577 738019
e-mail:[email protected]

Castello di Radda

On the east hill of the village you will find Castello di Radda. It’s one of the newer wineries in the area and produces Chianti Classico with 100% Sangiovese grape.

The Beretta family bought the winery in 2003 to expand in their winemaking. As an already establish sparkling winemaker through their other business Lo Sparviere which produces the precious Franciacorta sparkling wines. 

Website: https://www.castellodiradda.com/en/
Telephone: +39 0577 738992
e-mail: [email protected]

Casa Chianti Classico

A short 5 minute walk outside the main centre of the town, down the hill and cannot be missed on your trip to the region. 

The winery is set inside an old convent and is just magical. On a chilly evening you can warm up with the roasting fire but in the summer they have tables in the courtyard which will be an enchanting setting.  A very friendly welcoming staff and superb food and wine. 

P.s.  no beer is served here, just their fantastic wine. 

Website: https://www.casachianticlassico.it/en/who-we-are/
Phone: 0577 738187 or 0577 7382278
e-mail: [email protected]

Food and Drink in Radda in Chianti

Bar Dante

Our first meal in Radda was at Bar Dante. The staff were so welcoming the minute we walked in the door. After an extremely hard time trying to decide on the amazing selection of food we opted for something simple and went with the cheese board and wine pairing. 

A great introduction to Chianti wine and the cheese was delicious. 

La Loggia Del Chianti

We stopped here for dinner one night and the food was exceptional. Starting off with olive oil served with bread was particularly outstanding. I couldn’t get enough of it (mainly the olive oil).

We then moved into pasta courses which again were incredible. My only disappointment was when my dish of ravioli arrived it only came with 5 pieces but this happens with this type of dish. To top off the food we got tiramisu. 

The waiters did struggle to speak English but having a little Italian behind us we were fine. 

Pizza Pie

For a slightly cheaper and filling meal go to Pizza Pie. I swear the pizza was 20″+ and only cost around 20 euros. Again the food quality was amazing. I definitely rolled out of the restaurant… 

La Bottega di Giovannino

Good, authentic Tuscan food, excellent wine bar and really lovely staff. When I told them it was my boyfriends birthday they surprised us Cantuccini with Vin Santo. It was the first time I have ever tried this and now I think is now the best thing in the world. 

Pasticceria Gelateria Sampoli & Lapis

Perfect place to grab coffee and breakfast. Walk up to the bar, place your order, find a seat and enjoy the buzz of the local doing the same thing around you. 

When to Visit

When wine and good Italian wine is involved any time of the year is perfect for a visit. Of course there will be times of year that suit other more. Summer is perfect for the sun-worshippers as you will enjoy 30-degree weather. Prefer fewer crowds and milder temperature then Autumn and spring will be the perfect time with the temperature around 15c to 25c.
The winters do get chilly being surrounded by the mountain which means that there will be snow. If you love winter then these are the best months for you.

Where to stay in Radda

As the town is small there is a limited amount of hotels and price ranges to choose from but there are enough options to suit most people budgets. Airbnb is also another option for the area. We stayed at the Palazzo Leopoldo during our time in Radda. 

Palazzo Leopoldo Dimora Storica & SPA

Located in the middle of town the hotel is walking distance to the restaurants and local wineries. Plus any hotels have Scenic views especially of the Tuscan landscape is a winner.

The rooms are spacious with lush bathrooms and stunning views. The hotel offers an indoor pool and hot tub in the cellar, beneath the vaulted brick ceilings. General amenities are offered like free Wi-Fi and there is free parking in the town. 

The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable about the area so if you have any questions about the area don’t forget to ask. In the rooms you will also find a folder detailing things to do in the area. 

Palazzo San Niccolo

Palazzo San Niccolo is the sister hotel of Palazzo Leopoldo and located just across the road. Similar style as Leopoldo tastefully decorated rooms, spacious, clean, with modern finishing, the bathroom are spacious and beautifully decorated.

How to get to Radda

For our trip we flew in Pisa and drove to Radda from there. It’s a cheaper destination to fly into and it’s only a 2-hour drive away. Florence is slightly closer to Radda and only an hours drive.

Driving is the best option to get to Radda, there are buses but not very frequent. I highly recommend getting a GPS for your journey if you decide to drive. 

For bus options:

• From Florence you will need to take SITA 365A to Lucarelli (64 bus stops btw!) and swap to the Siena line S101 which will go first to Radda.
• From Siena you will take the bus 125.

Parking in Radda

The parking in Radda is either around the city wall or on the main street. There is limited parking available but there will be both free and paid. Just look out for the white lined parking areas to score the free parking. The areas that have a blue outline will be the paid sections.