Page 22 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

20 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

Parking Restricted Traffic and
Parking in an Italian town or city Congestion Charges
can demand a great deal of time and The centres of many Italian towns and
patience. When kerb-space is limited, historic villages are closed to non-
drivers tend to park anywhere and resident traffic. These so-called Zona
everywhere: on pavements, at bus a Traffico Limitato (restricted traffic
stops, even blocking private entrances. zones) are usually indicated by signs
The anarchy of Italian parking notwith- displaying the letters “ZTL” in black on
standing, it is unwise to follow suit; a yellow background. Many of these
parking attendants are on the rise, as zones are monitored by cameras, and Above Street mirror on a narrow road in Amiata
are zone di rimozione (tow-away zones). fines are issued to those who enter
In cities and villages alike, double without authorization. Other towns To rent a car in Italy you need to
parking is common, triple parking impose traffic restrictions on certain be over 20, and to have held a full
becoming more so. Towns and villages days, or at certain times of day – licence for at least one year. Be sure
popular with tourists usually have Bergamo, for instance, does this in its that your rental agreement includes
paying car parks just outside the historic centre, Città Alta. Make sure collision-damage waiver (CDW) and
centre, and many places now operate you read the signs: lavorativo or feriale theft protection, as well as unlimited
a zoned parking scheme, with the means Monday to Saturday, and is mileage. Child seats need to be
type of zone indicated by the colour of marked by two crossed hammers; booked in advance. With the rise in
the lines on the side of the road. Blue- festivi indicates Sundays and public inner-city congestion, automatic cars
zone parking spaces have a maximum holidays, and is marked by a Christian are becoming more widely available.
stay of between one and two hours, cross. If your hotel is within a restricted When you collect the vehicle you
and cost around €1 an hour (though area, you will need a police permit to will need to produce your passport,
they can be free at lunchtime, after enter with your car (they will need to driving licence and credit card (from
8pm and on Sundays). White-zone know your registration number). which an impression will be taken as
areas are free. Yellow-zone areas are for The city of Milan has introduced a a security deposit). Cars are usually
residents only. For zones where there congestion-charge scheme (Area C) supplied with a full tank of petrol,
is a time-limit but no parking fee, in an attempt to reduce traffic and it is wise to return them refilled,
Italian cars (including rental cars) come volumes and pollution. Other towns as if not, you will be charged at an
equipped with a disco orario (mini – among them Genoa and Turin – inflated rate for filling the tank.
clock dial) that you set with your time are discussing following suit.
of arrival and display in the window; if Motorbikes and Scooters
you do not have one, you may be able Car Hire Italy is the land of the Vespa, and
to get one from the local tourist office. All the major international car rental 10 per cent of the population has
When parking, do not leave any companies – such as Avis, Budget, a motorbike or scooter. Two-wheel
valuables in your car – and certainly Hertz and Europcar – operate in Italy. transport makes sense for navigating
nothing visible. Virtually all Italian It is worth comparing rates online the labyrinth of streets that forms the
cars have removable car radios, before you decide which to use, as centre of many cities, and you will
which Italian drivers invariably take well as investigating any deals offered usually find somewhere (free) to
with them when they park. Secure, by your airline; low-cost airlines are park, even in the busiest metropolis.
indoor, city car parks are expensive, particularly competitive in this area. Away from the city, Italy is an
but hotels can offer guest discounts. You could compare the deals you exhilarating country to traverse by
Disabled drivers displaying the have found yourself with those of bike, with roads twisting up and
blue disabled badge can park in a reliable car-rental broker such as down mountains and along dramatic
designated disabled spaces. Holiday Autos or AutoEurope. coastlines, unmade “white” roads to

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