RomaSuz

We are renting a farmhouse near Lake Trasimeno for a week in mid-September. My husband, six-year old daughter, and I will be sharing it with another couple.

For those who have done this before, does it make sense to take the option of having the rental company bring in pantry essentials before we arrive? We pick up the keys after 4pm on a Saturday and don't expect the convenience of 24-hour grocery store nearby. What are the normal grocery, butcher, bakery hours in small towns? We will be closest to Piana. Are there any farmers markets in that vicinity?

Has anyone ever decided to have a cook come in for a few evenings? Is it expensive/worth the expense? Do you tell the cook the menu you are expecting or play it by ear? Please note that I am a foodie and an excellent chef.

Is there any advice you have for a first-timer when it comes to renting? We are renting through www.tuscanynow.com.

SeaUrchin

I've rented houses in Italy alot over the years and I have decided it is a good idea to have the pantry stocked for the rest of the weekend. If you are delayed at all, shops will be closed and not all if any will be open on Sunday so you might have to wait until Monday to do shopping.

It is comforting to have something in the house to eat when you arrive, especially if you have a child with you.

I have had a cook come in to prepare meals off and on and it was wonderful just to sit back and watch someone do what they do best. I think it is up to you to decide which way you want to do this, if you leave it up to the cook or decide the menu. We left it up to our sweet housekeeper and we were happy with our decision.

gangof7

We are renting a villa in August and also through Tuscanynow. I was planning on getting some basic supplies as we get in even later than RomaSuz. Now I am thinking that it will be nice to get maybe a little more than just basic stuff because it is a sat night (and we are 9 people!).
I have also thought about hiring the cook so am interested in others opinions and experiences with that. We will be outside Bagno a Ripoli near Florence.
We are also first-time renters!

SeaUrchin

Take it from me, have enough supplies for the weekend waiting for you.

julie_Colorado

I rented a house in Umbria last week. The owners provided some very basics... we picked up the rest of the stuff in the very small town we stayed in. Grocery stores were open around 9 to 1 and 4 to 7... Monday thru Saturday. They were not open on Sunday. It was easy enough for us to pick up things on the way in as we knew we wouldn't be delayed. We didn't elect to hire a chef as I like to cook.

rex

Just curious - - how much will they charge for this? While it's not like "real" shopping, you can get a surprisingly decent stash of staples even at an Autogrill (visible from the autostrada a lot of places) - - in case you're cutting it close on time.

Best wishes,

Rex

flanneruk

If you enjoy cooking, what on earth is the point of having someone come in and mess up your kitchen? The other couple will do that enough anyway.

Surely Italian villa holidays, especially if you describe yourself as a "foodie", are all about making your own food? The crucial single fact about every Italian house I've ever rented, BTW, is that the knives are never sharp enough. I always take my own if driving, and even if flying will bring a knife-sharpener.

I always do a full hypermarkett shop before arriving, especially on Saturdays or Sundays: unless you've made specific arrangements with the landlords, assume the kitchen will be completely empty. You'll have to do another shop on the Tuesaday anyway (shop opening hours are still a bit uncertain on Mondays), but by buying at least the makings of Saturday supper to Tuesday lunch between the airport and the house, you'll not have to make do with the agents' unpredictable definition of "basics" (which most certainly won't be yours). Even though hypermarkets will typically stay open till 2100 on Saturday, you'll inevitably find that finding the house, emptying the cars, and then getting to the shop will take you past closing time.

Don't fall victim to the mindless snobbery too many villa renters have against hypermarkets. Even Italy's Carrefours offer a shopping experience you won't find at your local Wal-Mart or Asda.

With the certainty of a well-filled kitchen to return to, you can then meander round the landlord's recommendations for local shops at your leisure on the Sunday or Monday.

sheila

You need to have enough food for Sunday by the time the shops close on Saturday night. For me the issue is not when you get the keys but when you land.

Last time we did this- 11 years ago- I spent Sunday morning talking the local caff out of bread coffee milk and butter. The Pharmacy was open for an hour after Mass so we got food for the bay there. But it was hairy for a bit.

I wouldn't have a cook myself, but I think only you can answer that question.

susanna

I have rented a house in Tuscany and also a cook for one night, and we all loved it. We are foodies too, enjoy cooking very much, but this was a lot of fun. We planned the menu together, I went shopping with her, and although I know my way around Italian/French stores, it was still fun, especially seeing her buy things that I wouldn't normaly pick up and being able to ask about other things. I spent the afternoon in the kitchen with her, practicing my Italian, picking up a few new reciepies and cooking tips. We had a wonderful meal, it wasn't expensive, but I can't really remember what it cost, and there was definately enough food left over for another meal.

Stocking the fridge before arrival: I have had it both ways, and I always like what they supply us with and use it up in the week we are there, the only thing I can remember not liking or using was a package potatoe salad and premade sandwiches, YUCK, but a resonalbe price allowed us to throw it out without guilt. Enjoy your area, be sure to go to the restaurant on the island in the middle of Lake Tresimeno, it's good.

RomaSuz

I really appreciate everyone's insights -- please keep them coming!

I'm interested in the chef possibility because I don't want to be in the position of racing against the clock when it comes to touring around so we can pick up provisions and get a meal prepared. I definitely want to cook a few nights, but not every night.

I work full-time and make a scratch dinner every night for the family. Part of a good vacation for me is enjoying a nice (or maybe even fabulous) meal that someone else has prepared! Given the fact that we're not in a town, I'm thinking restaurant choices will be somewhat slim without driving a great distance. Maybe I'm wrong about that assumption? Having someone come in to prepare a dinner a couple of nights is a nice way to enjoy a "meal out" at home.

By the way, what is the name of the restaurant in the middle of Lake Trasimeno?

kangamom

We also did this several years ago and it was a wonderful experience. They did stock the pantry with basics like eggs, milk, juice and some vegetables. It was nice since we would have probably run out to get those items anyway. We got our cook for the first evening we were at the house so that we could relax after arriving. One benefit to having the cook earlier in the week rather than later was having yummy leftovers to snack on during the week.

wlzmatilida

Hi RomaSuz!

A few years back I also rented a villa in the Lake Trasimeno area.

I love to cook, but I don't want to do it during my entire stay, but that's ok, because many times we didn't have "traditional meals".

We stopped at a small store in town and bought what I consider MY basics on every trip -- some cheese, loaf of good bread, salami and wine!

We knew we'd be out touring the next day and could decide what else we wanted. Our particular villa did not have anything stocked, and that was fine. Since I don't drink coffee (or eat breakfast usually) and we couldn't figure out the very odd coffee-maker, my husband drove down the hill to the bakery every morning for his cappacino and cornetto. This worked out well...he felt very Italian by Day Two when they remembered his order.

Many times, during our excursions we had a much bigger lunch than we would at home, and even with all the walking, we were still pretty full. One night we had assorted cheeses to try & I made a huge chef's type salad; that and aforementioned "staples" (salami, etc) were all we needed; and it was pretty wonderful to be able to do it in our pj's sitting on the patio with a view of the valley as well!

I made spagetti one night and we also BBQ'd a chicken and had it with a salad w/ veggies I'd picked up in the market.

Bon Apetito!

Melodie

RomaSuz

Melodie -- Any restaurants in the Lake Trasimeno are stand out for you?