Car & Van Hire - Buttrio

Buttrio is best known for its wines, and its rolling hills make a lovely backdrop to a holiday. With a car rental in Buttrio, it's easy to explore Northeast Italy. Start at the nearby city of Udine, just 10 km away. While Buttrio is a quiet town, Udine is a large settlement with a fascinating history.

The 16th-century Udine Castle is a highlight for most visitors. Stroll around the exterior, admiring its ornate arches, or go inside to visit the art museum. The cathedral is even older, dating back to the 13th century, and has incredibly ornate decorations inside. However, the most famous building in the city is undoubtedly the Loggia, which has become an icon of Udine. With its pink and white marble exterior and decorative tiles, this old trading hall is definitely worth a visit.

Another city worth visiting in the area is Trieste. This historic port town has long been a centre for fishing, and charming little boats can still be seen docked in the harbour. There are buildings here from many different eras, from the ancient Roman theatre to the grand Piazza Unita d'Italia. Trieste was once the main port of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and it has a fascinating vibe with an intriguing blend of cultures.

This part of Italy has a distinctive cuisine. There are some of the Italian dishes you already know and love, of course, but you'll also find influence from nearby Austria and Croatia, both of which ruled over the area at different times. Try the strucolo de pomi, the local version of apple strudel, or the Croatian-inspired squid ink risotto. This dramatic, jet-black dish is a local favourite – just brush your teeth afterwards, as the ink can stain!

Many visitors come to Italy to admire the country's spectacular architecture and artwork, but car or van rental in Buttrio will also let you see the splendour of nature. Lignano Sabbiadoro is about an hour's drive away. This coastal town has a glorious beach stretching for 7 km along the Adriatic Sea. Kids will be delighted by the aqua park, while adults can relax on the golden sand or take a long stroll along the seafront.

Alternatively, if you visit the area in winter, you will be able to try skiing or snowboarding. There are 107 km of slopes in the province of Udine, with some at an altitude of over 2,000 m. Family-friendly zones allow young children to experience winter sports for the first time, while there are slopes to keep seasoned skiers happy.

Buttrio itself is very small and presents no problems to drivers. Both Udine and Trieste are easy cities to drive in, without heavy traffic. You will need to watch out for ZTLs in both of these cities, though. A ZTL, or limited traffic zone, can usually be found in any Italian city or town with a historical centre. It is marked by circular signs with a red exterior ring and white centre. You cannot enter these zones without a permit, or you will be fined.

Some ZTLs are open for transit at particular times of day, so you might want to check in advance to see if you can drive into one. However, they are usually fairly small areas, and they are generally extremely walkable. Most drivers find it easier to park outside and explore the historic town centres on foot.

When parking, pay attention to the colours on the streets. Parking spots marked by blue lines must be paid for, while parking spots with white lines are free. If you are parking in a blue area, you may not always see a meter nearby. In this case, you should go into the nearest convenience store, tobacco shop, cafe or bar to ask about buying a ticket. Often, these businesses will be able to sell you a ticket or, if not, they will tell you where you need to go.

In this area, you will be extremely close to the borders of Austria and Slovenia. Both of these countries, along with Italy, are members of the Schengen common travel area. There are no border checks between them. Nevertheless, if you plan to make an international road trip, you'll need to discuss this when renting your car, as this can affect your insurance.

When driving in Italy, you will need to keep your headlights on during the day and night. This is a legal requirement. You do not need to use headlights while in an urban area, but when you are outside a city, turn them on. Many drivers continue to keep their headlights on when driving in a city.

Highways in Italy are not free. You can pay for a toll with either cash or a card. If you prefer to avoid tolls, look for roads called "statali", but be prepared to take longer to reach your destination.