J

2 or 3 couples (age: sixtish) are considering renting a villa in Tuscany for 2 weeks. Has anyone done this before? What advice can you give about the social dynamics of this? Will parking in Florence be a problem? Are parking lots outside city centers, then bus or train in, an easier thing to do? We want to make day trips to various cities and return to the villa to dine alfresco, enjoying the sunset and great wine. Any ideas for locations, transportation, helpful hints etc. would be appreciated.

Sheila

I've done it; and so have dozens of others, many of whom have posted on here. <BR> <BR>I've been doing it for ages and sorting the dynamics kind of comes as second nature; which doesn't mean it's always plain sailing. <BR> <BR>If you're really worried you'll find a lot of places have big buildings divided into separate apartments; you could take 2 or 3 small flats in one location. <BR> <BR>I'm sure elvira has a post on here with the Loons "rules" which seemed to make a lot of sense to me. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I'll try to find it and top it. <BR> <BR>As to parking in Florence, my view would be that you take the train in. Lots of Tuscany, especially the area round Siena, is near a train line. park at your local rural station, train in and back and Bob's your uncle. Much more relaxing than either the hassles with parking or driving. <BR> <BR>Lots of walled towns have car parks on the outskirts then buses or walks in. <BR> <BR>The choices open to you are many and manifold. I'd be loathe, with only one trip under our belts, to recommend, but we stayed on a wine making farm about 15 miles outside Siena. and it worked very well for us.

Pip

Hi J, I would recommend getting a place close to an autostrada. Last year we spent alot of the day just getting to the main road to get to the other towns from our villa. We drove into Florence and parked under the train station very early in the morning before rush hour and exited the city fairly late at night, so there was no problem. <BR>The roads are great, you can use the autostrada and also the small winding roads depending on how far you want to go in one day. We would take the larger roads to a far point and then meander back.

Pam

Sheila, what is the name of the place you stayed in? Sounds interesting.

Sheila

J <BR> <BR>I came to the conclusion that you'd never recognise the thread title so I just lifted the answer. <BR> <BR>Elvira said:- <BR> <BR>Ugh, my computer ate my original answer, so here goes (if you want more details, you can email me directly): <BR>1) Make sure you get input from every member on what they like and don't like. No point in heading for the Millenium Ferris Wheel if half the group is acrophobic. <BR>2) Don't try to sneak extra people into your accommodations. Many hotels and B&Bs will allow you to put more people in the room if you tell them that's what you want to do (for example, a double room with double beds sleeps four, and the hotel will even put in a cot if you want). We found the Roland House apartments were inexpensive and basic, 10 minute walk from the Underground entrance with a fully stocked convenience store on the way. Not only cheaper per person than a hotel, but we saved $$ by buying breakfast food, and a couple of times we ate lunch or dinner (like, you're just too tired to eat at 8:00 after sightseeing all day, so you buy sandwiches and chips and wine and eat in the apartment). <BR>3) Decide on luggage. We take just carry-ons so we avoid the baggage carousel; this doesn't work if even one girl checks in luggage, because everyone has to wait for her. Discuss what everyone wants to do, and make a group decision. <BR>4) Carry only what you can handle. Just because I have a rolling bag doesn't mean I'll help carry your 5 suitcases. You bring it, you haul it. <BR>5) Make sure everyone understands they are not in Kansas anymore. The food is different, the beds are different, the escalators are different. The first person who says "well, that's not how WE do it in the U.S." becomes the pinata for that night's festivities. <BR>6) NO WHINING. If you don't feel good, or you're tired, SPEAK UP. We'll take care of you. If you really don't want to go to the Dill Pickle and Smurf Museum, then say so. Don't go and act like a big baby. <BR>7) Share. Each person doesn't need to bring a box of bandaids. Make a list of communal things and divvy up who brings what. <BR>8) Buy as much ahead as you can; such as National Heritage Passes, Underground Passes, etc. That way, the group is not milling about while 2 girls go stand in line for tickets. I hate that. <BR>9) Decide on how you want to pay for meals, etc. We use the kitty; one person (it can be a different person each day) holds the dough. Before we set out for the day, we determine how much we'll need, and everyone puts in the same amount (like 50 pounds, for example). Then that person pays for the meals, entry tickets, etc. Next morning, same thing. This also saves on the aggravation in the restaurant of the cheapo who throws in 10 pounds when it actually comes to 12 pounds. <BR>10) Keep your sense of humor. It is the only way you'll get through the icky times. I also avoid all sharp objects and potential weapons, you know, just in case I'm tempted to use one. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

Susan

I'm sure you can find many previous threads on this subject but I'll tell you my personal experience. We rented a villa through www.initaly.com. It was just outside of Siena, walking distance to Monteriggioni and the location was superb for day trips to other walled cities, the Chianti region, Siena and Florence. The house itself was everything we'd dreamed of -- beautifully furnished, very clean, modern bathrooms, views out of every window, etc. It was on the property with other buildings where the owners lived and they were available if we needed help but otherwise very unobtrusive. The name of the property was Tiniaone. It had six bedrooms so it might be too big for your needs but I would definitely recommend initaly.com for rentals and that area of Tuscany as a base. Ciao!

tuscanybound

We've been a couple of times. Both times stayed in our own apt. within a villa. We went with other couples but wanted our own place for the privacy. Last month there were several couples (up to 60yrs.) and we rented apartments in a lovely 10 apt. villa about 15 km. south of Florence. You can get one or two bedrooms; it had a pool with the most incredible view where we dined a few nites, also an outdoor area where we could dine; easy drive into Florence and other towns, etc. If you'd like more info. indicate on this site and I'll e-mail you from home.

Sheila

We satyed in Fattoria Felsina in Castelnuova Berardenga <BR> <BR>The web address is :-http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://digilander.iol.it/McArdal/CNBerardenga.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3DBerardenga%26start%3D30%26hl%3Den%26s afe%3Doff%26sa%3DN <BR> <BR>8 of us (7 adults and a one year old) stayed there for two weeks in 1995. There are a number of apartments created in the old farm buildings, and they share a pool. It is in the middle of a working winery maybe 400 yards from the edge of the village of Castelnuovo. The fattoria does tours and the owner very kindly gave us a private one which as amateur wine buffs, we hugely enjoyed. <BR> <BR>The pluses were that it is right in the heart of Chianti country with lots of good wineries close by; in the country,but close to the town; great pool; easy tours to south Tuscany; bedrooms and kitchen were fine; close to the railway staion if you didn't want to drive everywhere. <BR> <BR>The minuses were that there was no sitting area as such in the apartment and since the weather was less than superb when we were there, we spent a lot of time at the kitchen table. Castelnuovo is not one of Tuscany's prettier villages- nothing wrong with it, you understand, but nothing great either; it's a long way from Florence. <BR> <BR>I'd go back. There was a magic moment just when we arrived. It was full dark about 9pm, and the driveway was lit up by fireflies, and as we stood below the cherry tree waiting to get into the flat, there was a nightingale singing in the orchard. What more could a body ask for? <BR>

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Hello J, There are literally several hundred very desirable rental places in Tuscany. I have been involved in selecting and booking them on many occasions. My advice is to narrow down your criteria before you get overwhelmed with the many options. Here is what you need to decide first: <BR>Region of Tuscany--it is a big place that can be defined in 5 distinct areas <BR> <BR>Stand-alone house or apts? <BR>Self-catering or no? <BR>Price range--per week <BR>Bedrooms required--bed to bath ratio <BR> <BR>You seem to have alot of questions. Let me know if you need more help.