Italy has an excellent network of motorways (autostrada), designated by the letter ‘A'. The main north-south link is the Autostrada del Sole, or A1, which links Milan with Reggio Calabria in the toe of Italy. Speed limits on motorways are 130kph (81mph) for cars of 1100cc or more and 110kph (68mph) for smaller cars and all cars when conditions are wet. All motorways are tolled. Those on a budget may prefer the strade statali, designated by ‘SS', which are toll free and are often fast, multi-lane carriageways. The speed limit on these roads is 110kph (68mph), which is simply too slow for the speed-obsessed Italians and therefore a more leisurely drive for the rest of the world. Strade bianchi, small country roads, abound in the countryside around Venice, where visitors often stumble upon Palladian piles and medieval market towns.
By law, both driver and passenger must wear their seat belts, if fitted, or face an on-the-spot fine. Random breath tests can be imposed and the penalties for drink-driving are severe - the maximum legal blood-alcohol ratio is 0.05%. Car lights must be switched on at any time on autostrade and strade statali. Speeding fines follow EU rules and driving through a red light is also a fee-inducing offence.

The minimum age for driving is 18. All those without an EU licence must carry an International Driving Permit. EU nationals taking their own car will need an International Insurance Certificate, also known as a Green Card (Carta Verde). Automobile Club d'Italia - ACI (tel: (06) 491 115; www.aci.it) provides further information.

Emergency breakdown service: Automobile Club d'Italia (tel: 803 116).

Routes to the city: The main thoroughfare is the A4, which slices across the top of Italy from Turin, via Milan and Padua, to Venice. This intersects with the A13 from Bologna, which in turn connects with the A1 - the central road artery of Italy, passing through Florence, Rome and Naples. However, travellers who prefer scenery to speed may enjoy the SS11, which runs from Padua to Venice, along the Brenta Canal. After Mestre, drivers should take the exit marked Venezia and follow signs for the city centre (centro). Once across the bridge (Ponte della Liberta), cars must be left at one of the huge car parks in Piazzale Roma or on the island of Tronchetto. Parking in Venice is expensive. A cheaper alternative is for drivers to leave the car at the San Giuliano car park in Mestre (only open in the high season) and catch the train.

Approximate driving times to Venice: From Milan - 2 hours; Bologna - 3 hours; Rome - 5 hours.

Coach services: International coaches operated by Eurolines (tel: (041) 538 2118; www.eurolines.it) travel to destinations across Europe, including London, Amsterdam and Paris from Mestre. ATVO (tel: 0421 5944; www.atvo.it) operates services to the nearby towns of Treviso, Verona, Padua and Milan. The ATVO coaches depart from Piazzale Roma, where there is an information office for walk-up enquiries.