To Drive or Not to Drive?

[Melody]

Has anyone out there ever been brave enough to drive in Italy? We're contemplating renting a car to drive out to Cortona (from Rome) for a day trip. Thought it would be a nice way to 'see' Italy along the way, but I wanted to get a feel for what its TEXT like to drive there first!

Any comments, suggestions, etc. would be helpful! If you think we're crazy, tell me!! I'd hate to get there, rent a car & then be absolutely petrified to drive it anywhere! ;D

[Cil]

I gotta tell ya, I'd be too afraid to drive *myself* in Italy, but my husband drove--even in Rome!
At times it really did feel like the Indy 500.
The cusswords that came out of my mouth shocked even myself. ;D
Everyone just goes so fast, and those big trucks on the highway can be intimidating when you're in your little rental. However, the little country roads were fine. And if you really want to get off the beaten path, driving is the way to go. We saw places we never would have seen otherwise.