Travel

Flight

Rome Airport Fiumicino

Italy has a number of airports, but Rome Airport (also called Leonardo da Vinci Airport) is the biggest and least expensive to fly into. It also offers plenty of car rental options (recommended) and public transit (not recommended) if you decide to go that route. Get it, "route?"

Rental Car

Car Rentals at Fiumicino Airport

We strongly recommend renting a car. Very strongly. Panicale (about a two hour drive from Rome) is in a fairly rural part of Italy, meaning Ubers and Lyfts are few and far between. There are tons of car rental options conveniently located at Fiumicino Airport. For the best pricing, book at least 6 months in advance. Tourists flock to Italy in September and rentals go quickly, so the earlier you lock it down, the better! OF NOTE: The driver in your party will need to obtain an International Driving Permit before you depart. More on that...

Travel Note

Renting a car? Get an International Driving Permit first!

Americans visiting Italy as tourists and intending to drive need to obtain an International Driving Permit before leaving the US. You may need one to rent a car and if pulled over, you can be ticketed for not having one. It's essentially an official translation of your US driver's license. Here's how to get one: AAA is 1 of only 2 organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue International Driving Permits in the United States. AAA issues IDPs to the public; you don't need to be a member to get an IDP from AAA. You can apply for an IDP from any full-service AAA branch in person or by mail. You'll need: 1. A completed IDP application. Pick one up at a AAA branch or download and print one on the website 2. 2 original passport-size photos with your signature on the back 3. A check or money order for the $20 application fee, plus tax where applicable 4. A current driver's license from your home state or US territory (or a photocopy of both sides if applying by mail) To apply by mail, send your completed application, fee, and a photocopy of both sides of your driver's license to any full-service AAA branch. Allow 10 days for delivery.

Travel Note

Directions by car

Coming from Rome (A1 north-bound): exit at FABRO, direction PERUGIA/CHIUSI, after about 25 minutes, take the roundabout direction CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO, continue about 20 minutes, exit right to PANICALE, continue direction PANICALE, then up the mountain until you arrive. Coming from Florence (A1 south-bound): exit at VALDICHIANA, direction PERUGIA, after about 15-20 minutes, exit right to CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO, continue direction CHIUSI, after about 15-20 minutes, exit PANICALE, continue direction PANICALE, then up the mountain until you arrive.

Train

Trenitalia

Again, we do NOT recommend taking public transit to Panicale. It will take at least twice as long to get there vs. driving, and you will want a car to make daily travel and excursions doable. However, if renting a car is not an option for you, public transportation is possible. You'll take a ~30 minute train from Fiumicino Airport to Roma Termini, then hop on another train to Chiusi (between 1-2 hours). There is a taxi stand directly in front of the exit of the station, where you'll then hail a white taxi to take you the rest of the way (about 20 minutes/10 miles).

Hotel

Rastrello

House Or Rental

AirBnB

House Or Rental

VRBO