Don't get stuck with a stick. Rental cars in other countries always have manual transmissions, unless the voucher specifically states that an automatic has been reserved. You can't get there from here. When making a reservation, be sure to disclose every country you will visit by car. Italy has restrictions on luxury cars crossing its borders, and most car rental companies prohibit travel into Eastern Europe.
Round trips are cheaper.
When planning your driving itinerary, keep in mind that you can save a lot of money if you make a round trip back to your starting point. Boker says drop charges can run into the hundreds of dollars. Double-check your insurance policy. Credit card insurance programs are full of exceptions, and they change constantly. If you want to take advantage of yours, call the card issuer and request written details of your coverage.