Despite Italians' hard-earned and well-deserved reputation for being - how should we put this diplomatically - testosterone-fuelled, machismo personified whilst behind the wheel, things have become a bit more orderly and civilised on Italian roads in recent years. This is especially true on the motorways, where cameras monitoring the time it takes you to travel between fixed points has largely done away with the days of Ferraris and Lamborghinis competing in their own personal Grand Prix. All the stereotypes and cautionary tales aside, going on a self-drive road trip in Italy is one of the most incredible travel experiences you can have anywhere on the globe, and thus something we highly recommend doing at least once in your life.

Luckily, the folks at Auto Europe make getting a great deal on a car both quick and easy. With over 60 years of experience, Auto Europe works with well-known suppliers and we love how all the available options are clearly presented in one easy-to-compare matrix of search results. Their site also includes useful extras like free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up, no hidden credit card fees and useful tips for road trips and local traffic rules. Is your journey taking you beyond beautiful Italian countryside? No worries there either, as despite the name, Auto Europe offers cars at some 20,000 locations in 180 countries around the globe, with websites in local languages.