first time family in tuscany
Nov 18th, 2002, 08:56 AM
#1
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first time family in tuscany
Just discovered this site and love it. We are taking our two teenagers to Tuscany in late April for @ 10 days. Would like to stay in/near Siena in farmhouse/villa and travel about from there. Need car? Any recommendations for a place or rental agency. Looking at a possibility with In Italy. Also recommendation for place in Rome for our stop on the way back home. Many thanks. Julie
Nov 18th, 2002, 09:05 AM
#2
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Julie, Yes, you will need a car. Start by going to www.slowtrav.com for great advice on renting in Tuscany. There are hundreds of options--most are good. Remember that Easter is 20 April this year. That may effect your plans.
Nov 18th, 2002, 09:08 AM
#3
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You will definetly need a car in the area. Bus and railway networks are not very efficient and taking daytrips would almost be impossibile. If you are forced not to use a car, your best option is to find rooms in the hotels in the towns spending one or two days in each town before moving to the next, while with a car you can make daytrips to a lot more places. As for the lodging, instead of a rental agency you may consider contacting the farmhouse ownres directly, chosing your favorite area of stay and a nice farmhouse throught the site www.agriturismo.regione.toscana.it. This wil not only turn out cheaper, but will also allow you to discover a greater range of places. My own favorite place to stay in the area is agriturismo Fonte di Sopra in Radicondoli, you can contact the owner at the telephone number you can reat at http://www.agriturismo.regione.toscana.it/index-eng.htm<BR>Another favorite area of mine is Amiata, check out Santa Fiora, Castel del Piano or, further south (on your way to Rome) Pitigliano.
Nov 18th, 2002, 02:02 PM
#5
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Some other recommendations to find your accommodations in Tuscany:<BR><BR>www.domani-usa.com<BR>www.rentvillas.com<BR><BR>or<BR><BR>www .regencyintapts.com<BR><BR>I have used all three, though only Regency actually IN Tuscany.<BR><BR>What price lodging in Rome?<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>
Nov 18th, 2002, 03:20 PM
#6
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I second Bob -- www.slowtrav.com has tons of information on rental agencies, their reliability, and reviews of properties. A must, in my opinion, if you're planning to rent in Italy.
Nov 18th, 2002, 03:31 PM
#7
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Julie we did it three years ago, wife and I , a 16yr,10yr and two 8yrs. Stayed in a villa near Poggibonsi, hired a small people mover and had a great time. The kids loved it, we did overnight in Florence to make sure we could enjoy the place after the crowds dissapated slightly. The small back roads are fun and the highways are quick!
Nov 18th, 2002, 06:46 PM
#9
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Skip the overpriced Parker Co. and go with the recs at www.slowtrav and its related message board site at www.slowtalk. These are two noncommercial sites. You won't be sorry.
