Take the slow road from Florence to Naples for hilltop villages, Roman treasures and the glittering Amalfi Coast
- This road trip route is ideal for showcasing the variety of Italy in one easy adventure.
Ad feature by British Airways Holidays
PUBLISHED: 08:50, 01 August 2023
From fashionable Florence to the Eternal City, Roman ruins to the glittering Amalfi Coast, Italy promises the perfect road trip.
It’s easy to weave together cities and coastline, rolling countryside and pretty villages on an immersive Italian adventure and a journey from Florence to Naples provides incredible variety in an easy one-week trip.
You can simply fly into Florence, then drive south to follow in the footsteps of emperors in Rome and soak up the wonders of the Amalfi Coast. Then simply hand over your car and fly out of Naples without having to circle back.
If you’re planning a scenic fly-drive holiday in the spectacular surrounds of Southern Europe, British Airways Holidays and its exclusive car hire partners Avis make it easier to book everything you need in one package.
With a collection of hotels ranging from family-friendly picks to five-star glamour, you simply pick out your perfect hotel and pair it with a vehicle that suits for your group size and budget.
Wrap it all up in an ATOL-protected package, with 23kg baggage per person and 24-hour roadside assistance included. Then choose your optional extras, including child seats and GPS navigation, and embark on a scenic route through the rich variety of Italy.
Florence combines historic beauty with a thriving cosmopolitan culture
Florence to Montepulciano
Nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, where tall cypress trees dot the landscape and lush vineyards blanket the ground, Florence combines historic beauty with a thriving cosmopolitan culture. Soak up Renaissance art and modern fashion, then head to the hills for an enchanting drive through the ages.
Montepulciano lies just a 1.5-hour drive south, but with just a small detour, you could be ticking the medieval lanes of Siena off your list too. With terracotta roofs, an elegant central square and a gothic town hall, it’s an unmissable stopover on your journey south.
Just an hour away, Renaissance town Montepulciano has an exquisite food scene and a slower pace of life, the perfect spot for a gorgeous village stopover. Stroll among the beautiful palaces, sip a cool drink in the Piazza Grande and take your pick from incredible restaurants for pasta pici and spicy stews.
Renaissance town Montepulciano has an exquisite food scene and a slower pace of life, the perfect spot for a gorgeous village stopover
Montepulciano to Rome
Spend a lazy morning in the village lost to the passage of time, enjoying strong coffee and a traditional Tuscan breakfast before hitting the road. Rome lies just two hours south, or you can take the scenic route to see more of the unforgettable countryside.
Heading southwest towards the coast, you’ll come across the walled historic centre of Grosseto in just 1.5 hours. Make a pit stop for Etruscan artefacts in one of Tuscany’s best archaeology museums, then follow the coast south on the E80 road for medieval Tarquinia, just 1.5 hours north of Rome. In total, the drive takes about four hours.
Mosaics, fountains and monuments galore, Rome deserves a longer stay to explore its endless riches. From outstanding frescoes to ancient architecture and Vatican secrets, discover the history of humanity in the Eternal City with a couple of days spent here.
Mosaics, fountains and monuments galore, Rome deserves a longer stay to explore its endless riches
Rome to Naples
Just 2.5 hours south, the world changes in the old kingdom of Naples, a city with ancient history and exquisite cuisine to write home about. The birthplace of pizza, Naples enjoys sparkling vistas of the crystalline bay and a dramatic Mount Vesuvius backdrop.
Blessed with a salty breeze and colourful neighbourhoods, Naples is a city of delights, where restaurant tables spill out onto the sun-soaked streets and an ancient subterranean city lies just below. And despite both being interwoven with the threads of antiquity, this southern sanctuary has an atmosphere very different to Rome.
Share an authentic slice of traditional stone-baked pizza, admire the lava-stone facade of Gesu Novo church, and seek refuge in the shade of Santa Chiara’s 14th-century cloister.
Blessed with a salty breeze and colourful neighbourhoods, Naples is a city of delights
Naples to Ravello
Gem of the Amalfi Coast, the quaint village of Ravello lies an hour from the city of Naples. But if you take the longer route that winds its way around the headland, you’ll have the sea to your right as you take in the likes of Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi.
You’ll find Ravello in the mountains and overlooking the captivating coast, a coveted artist’s retreat since the 6th Century.
Explore the gorgeous artisan boutiques, savour refreshments in charming squares, or continue along the rugged and winding mountain roads to find secret viewpoints and perfect woodland picnic stops.
On the way back to cosmopolitan Naples, take the shorter route through the mountains – it will only take an hour. Make time to stop off at immense Pompeii or the Herculaneum to discover the ancient remnants of two storied Roman cities which laid covered in volcanic ash for some 1,500 years.
Ravello is situated in the mountains and overlooking the captivating coast, a coveted artist’s retreat since the 6th Century
An Italian idyll
Blending mesmerising mountains with medieval towns and millennia of diverse history, an Italian road trip helps you stitch together the best of this vibrant Mediterranean country. And with a gorgeous collection of stop offs and detours helping you fully customise your trip, you can explore at your own pace.
Enjoy the security and glamour of a British Airways Holidays trip with the convenience of a car rental with Avis, and book your boutique holiday package with a low deposit of just £75 per person.
With a 24-hour helpline and roadside assistance on-call, you’ll travel with complete peace of mind. And if you’re an Executive Club Member, you can enjoy a host of other benefits, too, from a free additional driver with every rental.
Book your perfect Italian fly-drive holiday at ba.com/flydrives
