I’ve rented vehicles in many countries over the years. Invariably there are bad surprises and in fact I can’t think of a positive. Sometimes an upgrade might happen but usually I’m dealing with bald tires, dubious excess charges or outright dishonesty. The vans Francesco and I were offered in Rome looked as if they had been used for stock car racing. ‘We’re professionals’ we said, ‘offering a professional service. We can’t carry our customers in these’. After much toing and froing we obtained a very nice VW but I was stuck with the battered Fiat. What to do!?
Our week in the Appennini was a delight. Highlights included the Rave di Giumenta Blanca on Mt Amaro and the beautiful, near deserted village of Castel del Monte. The café bar there gave us a superb breakfast spread and après ski hospitality though it’s the only bar I have ever been in anywhere that didn’t have a single bottle of Scots Whisky.
At the end Francesco and I happily relinquished responsibility for the rental vans at Rome airport. Because mine was so battered the full length dent I’d put in it on a narrow mountain road whilst listening to Harley wasn’t even noticed.