Intend to get there eventually, but having seen the standard of driving in Italy, how did you prepare for driving abroad? Junctions are suspect and the standard of general driving seems poor. Don't think I've seen a single car without a bump, ding or scrape.. I thought about hiring a car over there and seeing how we went before attempting to take the bike over..
I found riding in Italy on my WDW 2012 trip far less scary than I'd expected (especially given my recollections of driving standards in Naples - the worst I'd seen anywhere on the planet, until I went to India). My WDW trip was my first continental biking tour, and I found it easier riding there than driving a hire car there to be honest. Once you get used to the fact that on motorways the Italians are terminal tailgaters, and just move over to the slower lane for a while, it's really not that bad. Outside the towns there wasn't all that much traffic. And the French were worse at roundabout discipline than the Italians. True, I didn't take the bike right through the centre of any big cities, although I got a bit closer to the centre of Bologna than I'd planned (duff satnav route planning) which wasn't fun given the heat and numerous traffic lights.
Ridden through Italy twice now, no worse driving there than here in all honest, did a road trip last year by car - Venice, lake Garda, bologna, Rimini, Gubbio, Rome, Amalfi coast to name a few no problems.
For anyone used to riding in London, Italy is child's play. If you are on the Autostrada in the fast lane and somebody faster comes up behind you, GET OUT OF THE FUCKING WAY. Then you'll be just fine.
Lived in Napoli for 2 years and never had a bump. As long as you play by the local rules then everything will be fine. Rule 1: everyone for themselves Rule 2: ignore all EEC driving rules Rule 3: if you are in a beat up cinquecento at a junction and you are faced with a shiny Alfa/Merc/BMW etc, just go for it. They will move out of your way. Etc etc I loved it! R
Italians are actually good drivers. Its just that the rules are different as various posts above have described. Take your time to observe their methodology and you will be fine.
I totally agree. They are very consistent in the way they drive, albeit a bit "different" to how one drives here. since I lived there, I never get phased by other drivers - just shrug my shoulders and think "whatever, you must be in a bigger hurry than me..." and I let them in or pull over and let them pass. The French on the other hand...unpredictable!
Perhaps, but very bike friendly. The French are extremely keen on tailgating though, particularly in underpowered cars with their foot on the deck.
Ah, the famous and long-standing French practice of having cars with small engines for the size of body, thus having to be driven flat-out all the time. So drivers really do not want to lose momentum, and get pretty annoyed if they get balked.
Well, there could be some of that. But I am just surprised at the speed that the French find it necessary to travel. This has all been tamed a bit over the last few years since the gendarmes and the government clamped down in an attempt to reduce the French road carnage (they have made great progress in this). But when I am on the motorway around here, you can bet that the guy trying to inhabit your tailpipe is a Frenchman (or woman, for they are just as bad).
My dad gave me the best advice when driving in Italy, and it's this... only worry about the bloke in front, the sides can take care of themselves. Also lorry drivers are very helpful, they'll indicate on a blind bend to tell you when its safe to overtake.
All Italians have owned a bike/scooter in their lifetime, so their awareness of these and the risks/capabilities connected to them is far superior IMO. Yes driving is a bit more spirited but saying they're all poor drivers is a generalisation. Beside going to WDW with a car is like going to a hooker for a hug..
