I'm attracted to staying in a fattoria, or country villa in the Tuscan countryside, but am also looking forward to the wining/dining expeience in the regional trattorias. Since it would be easy to exceed the legal alcohol level with that one extra glass of vino, I'm wondering whether there is taxi service in such regions as Montepulciano or Montalcino.....anyone out there know?

We always take taxis in the cities, but we drove through Tuscany. When you book your accommodations, the owners should have taxi information to share with you.

However, for Montalcino, I found this: http://www.montalcino-tuscany.com/taxi.htm . This site also has other very helpful information.

When we had an emergency with our car and needed a taxi in Castellina in Chianti on a Sunday, the concierge at the hotel called 4 companies before getting someone who was working. When we called for a taxi in Siena, it took about 40 minutes or more until we got one. i presume they are more available on weekdays, but my experience suggests that they are not plentiful and that you'd best get your hotel to book ahead for your needs.

I know we're not supposed to incite to illegality. But has anyone ever been breathalysed in Tuscany or Umbria?

When renting villas in Tuscany or Umbria, we've absolutely never found a reliable taxi service.

Wing it or nominate an abstainer are your only options, is our experience.

July 23, 2004, outskirts of Siena on the Cassia Sud going in the direction of Buonconvento/MOntalcino/etc. 74 drunk driving arrests in less than 4 hours. Not bad for 1 Friday night shift. I just know of this one because one of the cops that time was a friend who was very proud! Be warned and be careful. Oh and don't forget your IDP.

What is an IDP?

IDP is international driving permit, not really needed but can't hurt.

i don't suggest that you wing it. you do not want to be caught in europe. most americans are very lax about drunk driving as compared to europeans...then become even more lax in europe because everything seems so carefree - especially when it comes to alcohol.

We ate at the closest osteria to the vineyard where we stayed. it was only about 1 km on public road and 2 more on the farm's private drive. fortunately it was excellent so it was ok not to venture to too many other places which we would have loved to do. we had an apartment so we cooked the other nights.

i agree with the others that taxis are hard to come by. my best advice is to stay near (preferably walking distance) at least one good restaurant, go there a few nights and cook the other nights and venture further on a couple more sober nights.

This is precisely why we like to stay in a hotel in town. We like to come back at the end of the day, relax, then wander around the town and have dinner without worrying about driving. I have never seen a taxi in the small villages or the countryside, but maybe they do exist!

I agree with you chicgeek. That was the reason we stayed intown when in Montalcino.

Rexmor, we also stayed in the countryside as did friends of ours, and both hotels offered dinner to guests. We wouldn't do that every night, but it's nice to have the option of not driving for at least one night. You might want to check to see if your place offers dinner.

Walkinaround, the IDP is required for Italy and while it is true you may never need to show it (you do not need one to rent a car for example) if you have to and you do not have one on you you can be fined or have your car impounded. This happened a few months back to someone I know. Left on the side of the highway as her car was towed away.

To read about it check out my site all about driving in Italy (check out the IDP and the Law page)

http://www.chianti-assistance.com/Dr...taly/index.htm