Car & Van Hire - Varese

Varese dates back to the Middle Ages. As such, this Italian city is rich in historical landmarks. With car hire in Varese, it's easy to tick every architectural wonder off your list. Just south of Lake Varese, you'll find the Castle Castiglioni di Mantegazza. There's some debate about how old this castle actually is, but the imposing watchtower is thought to date back to at least the 1400s.

In the centre of town, you'll find the Fontana di Piazza Monte Grappa, which gives Rome's Trevi Fountain a run for its money. This part of Italy is also renowned for its Romanesque churches. If you want to take in the sights, schedule some time for a trip to the Chiesa di Santo Stefano. With its historic altar, sculptures and beautifully preserved frescoes, it's one of Varese's best-kept secrets.

Eager to soak up some culture? Head to Isolina Virginia on Lake Varese to marvel at Bronze Age exhibits at the Prehistoric Civic Museum. If you're visiting with little ones, the Varese Tactile Museum is also worth checking out. Unlike other venues, this museum actively encourages visitors to interact with exhibits. There's also the Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Here, you'll find breathtaking landscapes and portraits dating back to the 15th century, alongside works from local amateurs.

There are also plenty of green spaces to escape to. Funicolare Sacro Monte lies in Varese's mountainous surroundings and can be accessed via a scenic funicular railway. With car and van hire in Varese, you're not confined to the city centre. For outdoor pursuits, jump in the car and head to the Adventure Park Villaggio Cagnola. There are several rope bridges and playgrounds for kids, while grown-up visitors can enjoy adult-only courses.

If you want to venture further afield, head to the Park of Campo dei Fiori. Set among rolling valleys, this natural park is home to several mountains and shares a border with Switzerland. You can savour the sights as you stroll along one of many hiking trails or take a load off and enjoy a picnic on the shores of Lake Maggiore or Monate.

No stay is complete without sampling some local Lombard cuisine. Here you'll find everything from stuffed pasta dishes like pumpkin tortelli to traditional polenta recipes. If you have a sweet tooth, tuck into seasonal favourites like panettone or torrone, a deliciously rich nougat.

Although Varese has an excellent public transport system, many locals choose to use their own vehicles. The city enjoys convenient connections to neighbouring Milan, with the A8 motorway offering the easiest route. There's also an extensive ring road system that's made up of three different roads, with several provincial roads running through the heart of the city itself.

As most of the local population drives, Varese's roads can become congested. On a typical weekday, more than 110,000 motorists flood into the city. To avoid having to wait around in traffic, avoid rush hours. It's best to steer clear of the city centre between 07:00 and 09:00. Likewise, try and plan your journeys around having to enter into Varese between 16:00 and 18:00 if you want to avoid the evening rush.

Although there aren't many free parking spaces in Varese, metered parking is ample. Generally speaking, you'll need to pay for parking on weekdays between 05:00 and 23:00. Parking outside of these hours is usually free. Furthermore, the first 30 minutes of your stay are also usually free. Maximum daily rates are enforced here, meaning you won't pay over the odds to leave your vehicle unattended while you're off exploring the city.

If you've never driven in Italy before, you'll need to familiarise yourself with local driving rules and regulations. Here, motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road. Drink driving limits are also stricter than in many other European countries.

Because this is northern Italy, you'll also need to be braced for adverse weather if you're visiting during the winter months. Snow chains are compulsory if you're on the roads between 15 October and 15 April. If you're not sure how to fit snow chains, make sure you learn how to before heading in.

Speed limits are typical of the wider Lombardy region. In the city centre, speed limits are capped at 50 k/ph. On dual carriageways, this rises to 90 k/ph, while motorists can drive at speeds of up to 110 k/ph on open roads. On motorways, speed limits rise to 130 k/ph. However, speed limits are reduced when road surfaces are wet. If it's been raining, you'll typically need to drop your driving speed by 30 k/ph on motorways and 20 k/ph on open roads.