Exploring Foggia by Hire Car
Places on the Adriatic Sea continue to attract visitors even after decades of successful tourism in Italy, which in itself is no wonder, after all, they are undoubtedly home to the most beautiful seaside resorts in the Mediterranean.
Very popular as such a holiday destination is also the province of Foggia with the provincial capital of the same name.
Foggia is for many a white spot on the tourist map of Apulia. Yet the place has a lot to offer.
Wide parts of the old town have been spruced up in recent years. It invites you to take a leisurely stroll. And also the cathedral of the place is worth seeing.
The beaches are not far away and many charming places in the area can be easily reached by hire car. For rental and travel we have compiled a few tips.
Taking over the hire car
Be sure to find out exactly where your rental company’s station is located before renting the vehicle. Some hire car companies maintain their offices on the outskirts of town and getting there can be a real adventure.
Booking the right hire car
To get through Foggia’s teeming traffic and easily find a parking space, you should book the smallest hire car possible. Just make sure the boot is big enough to hold your luggage.
Hire car prices
Hire car prices in Foggia are usually in the middle range. Before you book the hire car, you should study the rental conditions carefully. Many local rental companies charge additional costs that turn a supposed bargain into an expensive offer. Cars that in our eyes are offered at a good price-performance ratio, we have marked with the note “Good offer” or “Excellent offer”.
hire car price comparison Foggia
Insuring the car properly
The hot-blooded driving style of the locals and the unfamiliar hire car ensure that an accident can happen quickly. With comprehensive insurance with no excess, you are well covered in the event of a claim. With liability, you should make sure that the amount of coverage is at least one million euros.
If people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, it quickly becomes very expensive. If the amount of coverage of your rental company does not seem sufficient, you have the option to provide additional protection with a Mallorca policy. Talk to your insurance company.
age limit
You must be 19 years old to hire car with many rental companies in Foggia. With some hire car companies, the age limit is also 21. And some charge drivers younger than 25. Check the terms and conditions of your hire car company before you drive.
Accessories
Accessories such as a navigation device or child seat must always be ordered separately from your rental company. Make a reservation in good time so that the equipment you want is available on the day you pick up your car.
Language barrier
Don’t expect all hire car staff in Foggia to speak impeccable English. In case of communication problems, you can try calling the Italian head office of your hire car company and ask for translation assistance. Make a note of the phone number before you travel.
Free kilometers
To be able to explore Foggia’s charming surroundings extensively, you should book a hire car with all kilometres free.
Tank control
Make sure to book with a rental company where you pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank. This will save you having to argue about the correct level of the tank when you return the car.
Bail
It is also important to make sure that the hire car company only blocks the deposit on your credit card. After all, if the amount is actually collected, it can take a long time for the money to be transferred back to your account.
Customer Satisfaction Hire Car
Most customers are quite satisfied with the hire car in Foggia. Nevertheless, you should inspect the hire car carefully before your first trip and get written confirmation of any defects such as dents or scratches. In this way, you avoid being held liable for damage that you did not cause when you return the car.
Safety hire car
Although most hire cars in Foggia are perfectly roadworthy, you should still check all the vehicle’s lights before you set off. Also make sure you have first-aid kits, a warning triangle and safety vests on board. And do a quick brake test in the car park of the rental company.
Sights in Foggia
Cattedrale San Maria Icona Vetere: Magnificent Baroque
A visit to the Cattedrale San Maria Icona Vetere could be the start of a city walk. The first church fell victim to an earthquake, and the cathedral was built on the same site in 1731. If you look at the base of the building, you will still discover some remains of the original foundation from the Staufer period. Inside, however, baroque opulence awaits you.
Museum: modern paintings and ancient excavations
After the cathedral, you can pay a visit to the municipal museum. Various excavation finds await here, including vases from the Daunian period, but also a collection of paintings from modern times. The museum is located in the Palazzo Arbi at Piazza V Nigri 1.
Via Arpi: shopping paradise
The pretty Via Arpi, lined with Baroque and Neoclassical buildings, is a great place to go shopping. The old town is great to explore on your own and enjoy being in a typical Italian city that hasn’t yet been overrun by tourist crowds.
Find a good restaurant
With almost only locals frequenting the city’s restaurants, chefs have to work hard not to scare away regulars. We recommend Trattoria Ambasciata Orsarese. This quaint eatery has been around for over 100 years, and to this day it serves up the best dishes based on traditional recipes.
Discover a good hotel
A good hotel can also be found in this little town. Stay at the White House. You can expect a stylish hotel with lovingly furnished rooms that lack no comfort. The prices are reasonable. A double room can be had for as little as 120 euros.
A worthwhile destination in the area
Trani: Enchanting Cathedral
Climb into your hire car and head to Trani. Large parts of the town are built of light-coloured limestone, giving the townscape an air of lightness. To this day, this special limestone is quarried in quarries around Trani. Especially the magnificent cathedral attracts tourists. It was built between 1097 and 1186 and impresses with its clear Norman style.
After visiting the cathedral, you can still visit the mighty fort. It was built between 1230 and 1233 and most recently, until a few decades ago, served as a prison. Members of the Red Brigades terrorist group were also imprisoned here.
Now you have the opportunity to stroll through the alleys of the old town. Everywhere you will come across pretty palazzos and charming piazzas that invite you to linger. Sit down at a café, order a cool drink and plan which destinations around Foggia you want to explore next by hire car.
Suggestion for a trip by hire car
Benevento: In the footsteps of the ancient Romans
First destination of a trip with a hire car could be Benevento. In about two hours you are there. In Benevento, a Roman amphitheatre awaits you, which was built in the 2nd century AD. But also the Museo del Sannio with a very extensive archaeological exhibition is worth the trip. Afterwards you can stroll a little through the streets of the city and observe typical Italian everyday life, because Benevento has not yet been discovered by the tourist masses.
Napoli: Lively Metropolis
Next stop on the trip is Napoli, an hour and a half’s drive from Benevento. In Italy’s third-largest city, you’ll want to leave your hire car in a gated parking lot as soon as possible, as traffic in the metropolis is cutthroat and crime rates are high. In Naples, you can also enjoy ancient churches and museums with diverse exhibitions, but the real charm of the city is on the streets. Here life is raging, everything takes place outdoors.
So just leave the culture aside, head to the old town and marvel at the southern Italian art of living, as many of the residents in Naples are destitute, but still don’t let it take away their joie de vivre. But don’t forget to take care of your valuables during your stroll and keep a close eye on the traffic. A real Neapolitan will drive his Vespa through alleys that only pedestrians can pass. A drive of two hours now separates you from Foggia, where you can review your eventful trip with the hire car.
Conclusion
Not only is there plenty to see in Foggia, but the surrounding countryside also beckons with delightful destinations, all of which can be easily reached by hire car. Our practical price comparison will help you to find the right car at good conditions.