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There are more than 480,000 kilometres (298,000 miles) of road in Italy, varying from wide, straight motorways to mountain passes and twisting coastal routes. As a result, driving in Italy can be quite different depending on which area you visit, but city-to-city drives are generally straightforward and easy.

This is largely thanks to the country's autostrade, Italy’s extensive network of privatised motorways. It is in excellent condition and, although traffic moves fast – the speed limit is 130 kph (80 mph) – most drivers in Italy are well behaved. On bigger roads, you’ll find tolls are charged at varying distances. You take a ticket when you enter an autostrada and pay when you exit.

Inevitably, driving in large cities such as Rome and Florence is a very different experience. Their modern districts aren't too bad, but in the historic cores you can expect lots of narrow streets and one-way systems – so do your research on directions before you set off.

Italian drivers are known to enjoy using their car’s horn. In many cases, that horn tooting can just be a friendly hello or a small celebration that the traffic lights have gone green, so unless something is obviously amiss, keep calm and carry on.

Lake Garda

If you’re in the north, don't mess around: get yourself to the Italian lakes. They've been on visitors’ hit lists for generations, and with good reason. Garda, the largest, blends stunning mountain scenery with pretty lakeside villages and chic five-star resorts. Yes, there's a lot of package tourism here, but you can also find wilder areas and some good value campsites. As for the lake itself, explore by ferry or hit the temptingly clear water yourself – you can swim, windsurf and even scuba dive. Be warned, though: roads here can be very busy in the summer months.

Amalfi Coast

Stretching from Sorrento to Salerno, Italy's Amalfi Coast is among the country’s most glamorous and visually stunning regions. Quaint and colourful towns perch on cliffs overlooking the impossibly blue ocean, while upscale towns (like Sorrento itself) offer great bases with plenty of hotel options. Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii are within striking distance, and regular ferries run from Sorrento over to Capri, the pretty and rather chic little island just off the coast. Do your research on the roads here before you plan your road trip though, as they can be narrow, winding and extremely busy over the summer period.

Florence

Located in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is one of Italy’s oldest and most romantic cities, with a superbly preserved historic centre that is home to some of the best examples of Renaissance art, including Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell'Accademia. You’ll also find the iconic Duomo cathedral at the centre, and a superb food market, the Mercato Centrale. From Florence, you could plan a trip to Chianti to admire its beautiful landscape and to sample its world-famous wine (just agree on a designated driver first).