You have a couple of choices. You can sign up for a full tour. If you want to do that, I recommend Rick Steves tours, because they encourage interaction with locals and don’t insulate and "Americanize" the experience. The guides will teach you about art, history and politics, and the tours attract participants that are interested in more than a big bus tour of the highlights.However, you can also plan you own itinerary and then hire local guides in the cities you choose to visit. Even the full tour companies hire local guides at each location, because local guides are experts in their own city and its history and attractions. To find good local guides, just use a search engine and type in “personal private guide cityname.” Then read some reviews about the guides, pick one and make contact by e-mail, and set up a tour.I used to just like to explore cities on my own, but I found that I was always wondering the story behind various sites and monuments. Using a tour guide makes the experience so much more personal and memorable, and if you can share the cost with another couple, the expense is well worthwhile. For more on the benefits of a personal guide, you might read this: http://livingwithabroadintuscany.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-personal-guide-well-worth-cost.html
I doubt that anyone will prevent you from coming to Italy or even renting a car. However, if you don't pay, your account will probably be turned over to a collection agency that will hound you for several years. I also received a traffic ticket near Pisa and wondered what would happen if I didn't pay, and this caused me to do a lot of research and write five blogs on various aspects of the topic. I ended up paying, but I have a friend who did not, and he shared his experience with me. Here are two of the blogs:http://livingwithabroadintuscany.blogspot.com/2011/11/traffic-cameras-common-complaint.htmlhttp://livingwithabroadintuscany.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-will-happen-if-you-dont-pay-your.htmlI'd like to hear more about your experiences and what you decide to do!
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You have a couple of choices. You can sign up for a full tour. If you want to do that, I recommend Rick Steves tours, because they encourage interaction with locals and don’t insulate and "Americanize" the experience. The guides will teach you about art, history and politics, and the tours attract participants that are interested in more than a big bus tour of the highlights.However, you can also plan you own itinerary and then hire local guides in the cities you choose to visit. Even the full tour companies hire local guides at each location, because local guides are experts in their own city and its history and attractions. To find good local guides, just use a search engine and type in “personal private guide cityname.” Then read some reviews about the guides, pick one and make contact by e-mail, and set up a tour.I used to just like to explore cities on my own, but I found that I was always wondering the story behind various sites and monuments. Using a tour guide makes the experience so much more personal and memorable, and if you can share the cost with another couple, the expense is well worthwhile. For more on the benefits of a personal guide, you might read this: http://livingwithabroadintuscany.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-personal-guide-well-worth-cost.html
I would be asking around town to anyone you know there for recommendations. It seems locals would have more experience than most of us on this forum.
I doubt that anyone will prevent you from coming to Italy or even renting a car. However, if you don't pay, your account will probably be turned over to a collection agency that will hound you for several years. I also received a traffic ticket near Pisa and wondered what would happen if I didn't pay, and this caused me to do a lot of research and write five blogs on various aspects of the topic. I ended up paying, but I have a friend who did not, and he shared his experience with me. Here are two of the blogs:http://livingwithabroadintuscany.blogspot.com/2011/11/traffic-cameras-common-complaint.htmlhttp://livingwithabroadintuscany.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-will-happen-if-you-dont-pay-your.htmlI'd like to hear more about your experiences and what you decide to do!