The Amalfi Coast - II - Version 3

October 8, 2019

a: Visiting Italy and the Amalfi Coast

    It was almost 20 years ago, since we first (and last) visited the Amalfi Coast and when our son and his wife invited us to come along, we jumped at the opportunity.  They are younger, healthy and strong, and they insist on schlepping our suitcases. As we get older, our suitcases do feel heavier. And since he is a good driver, and the traffic has probably become worse in the last two decades, we’ll be able to leave the driving to him.

    I am not going to repeat what I have already covered in my previous write-up on the Amalfi Coast. Click here to get there.

b: Getting a rental car.

    We flew into Rome, where we spent a few days before picking up our rental car at Fiumicino airport. The rental had been purchased from Auto Europe, from whom we usually get our cars in Europe. Their prices are quite competitive and the wonderful thing is that now their vehicles come with liability insurance for injuries and damages to persons and things outside the vehicle, complete theft protection with zero deductible, and collision damage coverage with zero deductible. Which means that when you pick up your car, you don’t have to argue against the hard sell the car companies will subject you to as they try to sell you their insurance at inflated prices.  For the meek and susceptible, this could cost you more than the car rental itself. And when you return your car, you don’t have to worry about the small dents you may have accidentally picked up during your sojourn. All they do is to check your gas gauge.

    Auto Europe acts as broker, the car itself is provided by the usual car rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, Alamo, etc. For a six-day rental of a Compact Peugeot 308 Wagon, the total charges, including insurance and sale tax, was US$ 250.67, which I thought was very reasonable.

c: GPS and SIM Cards.

    I received my first European driver license around 1952, and at that time we always drove using maps to find our way. But in the last few years, the GPS came along, and peer pressure has now forced us to squint on our smartphones as we try not to get lost. We were probably happier when we were using maps, because we get a better feel of where our destination is located in the whole picture. And we get a better look at the surroundings and interesting landscape in our efforts to remember the route. After two trips we know the road. After ten trips with a GPS we still don’t know where to go if our GPS conks out.

    Another problem we had with using Google or Waze is that our signal may suddenly become very weak and even disappear. This happened a few times to me when I was using Verizon US$10/day plan in the Netherlands. It is probably better to use a local sim card, except you don’t know which one is good, reliable, and not overpriced. In China communications with the sim card provider is in Chinese, which is also a problem. We have used both Waze and Google, and I prefer Google. You can use Siri to ask her to take you to your intended destination and the maps pop up.

    Well, what about the SIM card if you drive outside the USA. Of late I seem to have good success with the British PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim care 12 GB data + 3000 minutes + 3000 text for $21.65 from Amazon. This card is only valid for 30 days after you activate it. Activation is simple and automatic. You insert the card in your smart phone and the process automatically starts. There could be a problem if you activate the card in some areas of the US, because the card will go to the local provider, and if this happens to be T-Mobile, there can be an issue.

    Best is actually to activate the card when you are already in Europe and then the process is automatic and smooth. But be sure to enter the +, when dialing an international number, otherwise you’ll just get an error message. So, if you want to call UK THREE for assistance, and the number is 044 191 645 2932, you press the “+” (a zero appears) and then 044 191 645 2932. So you’ll see two zeros on your phone, i.e., 0044 191 645 2932. And yes, assistance from a real person is readily available if you have problems with your SIM card. Very nice, helpful, and knowledgeable.