Here’s another pre-trip research post from Robert Kimberly, who likes strange things, and apparently also likes small cars.

photo cheerfully cribbed from www.500touringclub.com

As an American, huge cars are almost a birthright. My first cars were a 1950 Mercury 2-door coupe and 1975 Olds Delta 88 convertible. I could have fit several Fiat 500s in the trunk of either one. It’s not to say I don’t like tiny cars, I actually do.

While my long-gone cars would have had no place on the narrows roads of most European cities, the idea of racing around Florence in a lovely bit of Italian automotive styling sounds like great fun.  The 500 Touring Club of Firenze makes just such a thing possible. Their charmingly-named fleet of vintage cars (Adriana, Giacomo, Paola, Sergio, Roberto, Anna) are available for either guided convoys or private hire.  A google search leads to both their official website and a load of positive reviews.

Regional/national law prohibits being chauffeured but this company does offer guided tours in the city from their cars.  I would love to take in the city from the seat of a sweet Fiat.  Since I expect my trip to keep me in soley Florence, I still may stop by the touring club’s office to satisfy my curiosity.