Linda74

After a cruise from Venice, we will be spending a week in Tuscany at an agriturismo in Celle Sul Rigo near Chiusi. We plan to rent a car and visit many small towns and villages. We have been to many Tuscan towns before such as Florence and Siena. With the dollar being so weak, we are wondering if we will find exhorbitant prices in restaurants and trattorias. We don't intend to eat in exclusive places and are happy to do some picnics on the road. We were last there in 2001.

Henry

Linda74,
My trip report includes some restaurant prices in that area http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35046872

Henry

toscoman

Yes, restaurant prices have gone up in euros since 2001 and the dollar has plummetted - really. Two strategies for coping with this - one you have alluded to - roadside picnics - for very reasonable money you can buy bread, prosciutto, roast pork, ready-to-eat grilled and otherwise prepared vegetables, wine and mineral water, and then enjoy them under an olive tree. You really do make contact with authentic Tuscany. An additional approach is to prefer country eateries on the open road or in villages - they still offer great value.

suetibu

Hi! We spent 2 weeks in Tuscany (Siena and Montepulciano) last May and found the food to be very reasonable. If you stay away from tourist areas, most pasta dishes were ~E5 and entrees ~ E10. One example is Nonna Ginno (sp?) in Siena.

Good luck. We loved the food.

Susan

BFTBeau

We are planning to be in Tuscany in the same area (near Chiusi) and have the same questions about what the cost are for dinning will be. This will be our first trip.We also will be renting a car.

J62

I found restaurant prices in Tuscany to be not too different from the US for similar quality.

There are high end restaurants where you can spend $100 per person, moderately priced places where you can get salad and entree with a glass of wine for $30 or less, and cheaper places (pizza, pasta) for $10-15each.

If you add on appetizers, drinks, and desserts the prices of course go up.

Staying at a place with a kitchen is a great way to stretch your dollars. You can eat in some nights, and save a bunch. (to splurge other nights if you wish).

longboatkey

Look for true "trattori" and "osteria" out of towns, they have more straight forward menus but very regional and usually good.

Lexma90

We stayed at an agriturismo in Celle Sul Rigo (closest larger town to our agriturismo was San Casciano dei Bagni). If it's the same one, just keep in mind that it's not real close to Chiusi - about 1/2 drive.

We enjoyed our stay there, but it was quite a drive to get to other towns, just because Celel sul Rigo is not real close to any main roads. Just a fact to keep in mind as you plan your days.

I agree with the others, that you will have plenty of opportunities to eat at more moderately-priced local restaurants and trattorias. And definitely do some picnic lunches!