Livorno day trip to Bolgheri

[kansaskid]

We are planning to do a DIY day trip to the Bolgheri region south of Livorno while in port from 7am-7pm. We like off the beaten path places (which this area seems to be). A couple questions for anyone who has gone that way:

 

1. Can we rent an automatic car at the port on the spot or are we better off booking the car in advance?

 

2. Any cities/areas to see or not to see down that way? We plan to visit at least one winery and an oil mill which we have booked in advance, but curious if there are others.

[Hlitner]

We are planning to do a DIY day trip to the Bolgheri region south of Livorno while in port from 7am-7pm. We like off the beaten path places (which this area seems to be). A couple questions for anyone who has gone that way:

 

1. Can we rent an automatic car at the port on the spot or are we better off booking the car in advance?

 

2. Any cities/areas to see or not to see down that way? We plan to visit at least one winery and an oil mill which we have booked in advance, but curious if there are others.

 

It is unlikely you would get an automatic (and possibly not any car) at the port. In fact, it can be difficult to even reserve automatics (many rental car dealers do not have any) and you will pay quite a premium for the auto. Our best advice is to reserve in advance and pray that you rental car outfit can actually deliver to the port (its hit and miss). The local Hertz franchisee (Sifracar) seems to have the best luck at getting cars right to the pier and they do offer "special" daily rates for cruise passengers (higher then their normal rates) that include delivery to the port. You can access their direct website at:

http://www.sifracar.com/home.htm?lingua=2 This company does offer automatics on most days.

 

Hank

[euro cruiser]

Building on what Hank said, automatic transmission cars are relatively rare in Italy and when you do find them, they are almost always the top of the line cars, with commensurate prices.

[patsch56]

We are planning to do a DIY day trip to the Bolgheri region south of Livorno while in port from 7am-7pm. We like off the beaten path places (which this area seems to be). A couple questions for anyone who has gone that way:

 

1. Can we rent an automatic car at the port on the spot or are we better off booking the car in advance?

 

2. Any cities/areas to see or not to see down that way? We plan to visit at least one winery and an oil mill which we have booked in advance, but curious if there are others.

How great to hear someone talking about Bolgheri! I love the region but it’s so rarely on the agenda for cruisers.

Not only are automatic transmissions very hard to come by, but the Bolgheri area is very difficult to navigate on your own by car. The roads are not very well marked and it’s incredibly easy to get incredibly lost, even if you had a GPS I’d be concerned. But more than that, if you are planning to visit wineries, um... do you really want to drive ??

I love Chiappini winery, it’s small and family run and they have a lovely terrace. The tasting is very reasonable and you can sample their olive oil as well. Michele Satta is also nice, a bigger operation with a very unique tasting room. Campo alla Sughera is very professional, but a bit industrially perfect for my taste. Tenuta al Guido (Sassicaia) also does a nice tour and tasting but you must reserve in advance. (I would reserve in advance with all of them.)

Be sure to stop and have lunch in Bolgheri at Enoteca Tognoni. At the oil mill, you’re aware that there won’t be much to see -- unless you’re going in November.