Tuscany: Just Returned
 

To:One & All
We returned on 9/27/03 from a 2 week trip to Tuscany.I don't want to bore experienced travelers hilltown reports but if you have any questions please let me know.

We rented a property from Parkervillas with 2 other couples.We rented a car through Autoeurope.We took along our 10 month old baby.If I can assist in any of these areas let me know.

Many thanks for all the great information provided by folks at this BB.

I would love to read your impressions of the towns you visited, pros and cons, any special hotels or restaurants, wineries you may have visited, etc

Elaine,We rented a house so I can't give any hotel reports.We visted a different town each day.All were very nice my favorites were Pienza,Montepulciano & Montefollonico.The last was the most beatutiful town we visited.It had virtually no tourists and the best views.We had no problems parking at any of the towns.There always was adequate free parking.
Restaurants:Rist.Il Medioevo in Montefollonico;Rist.Zaira in Chiusi;Rist.La Cantina in Castiglione De Lago.Our house was outside the town of Valiano.It had one retaurant which was excellent.No menu the owners daughter recites whats on and everything was good.
Driving really helped us in seeing alot of small towns and attractions that would otherwise be unavalible.
PS:Most towns have a weekly market day.There is usually a truck selling Porchetta(whole roasted pig sliced to order).A sandwich of porchetta on a crusty roll is to die for,don't leave Italy without trying it.

Henry
My wife and I will be travelling to Tuscany in May with our 7 month old. Any suggestions, observations etc. etc. about travelling with a little one would be great!

sb

Henry, It all sounds lovely, do tell me details!! I bet everyone was cooing and fussing over the baby :)
We have heard so many good things about ParkerVillas, how big was it and were you happy with it?
Thanks, S~

SB,
We adopted our baby in 5/03 so this was our first vacation with a child.Italy is very child friendly we were never were made to feel that the baby was not welcome in restaurants,museums etc.I was pleasantly surprised at how affectionate Italians were to the baby.People in stores,restaurants,in the street come up to babies play with them,kiss them etc.In the U.S.I would never think of going up to a strange baby and kissing him.In Italy it was common.
We had to pack a lot more stuff bringing a 10 mo.old baby.The property owner supplied a pack n play for sleeping.We brought our own car seat and umbrella stroller.Formula and baby food are avalible in supermarkets.The brands may be different however.I almost bought cavallo e vedure(horse & vegetables.Just bring a couple days supply of food and pampers then stock up when you get there.
We found out early that the baby would not stand for dawn till dusk touring.We usually did 1/2 day trips taking our big meal at lunch.We would then bring him home for a nap.
The baby was great on the plane ride going but coming back he was beastly.We bought him his own seat and coming back he may have been in it a 1/2 hour.Be prepared.
In short travel with an infant can be done but it will be different from an adults only vacation.We had a great time but our next trip will be a 2 hour flight to Florida.Enjoy.

Hi Scarlett,The trip was lovely.People really do fuss over babies in Italy.As I wrote to "sb" travel with a young child is fun but a little work.
The Parker Co. property was very nice.It is listed as "Fiamma" on their web-site.I posted a detailed review on the "Slowtrav" web-site.Note some Parker properties can be rented directly from the owner at a significantly lower price.Parker sometimes renames properties and lists them in their catalog.The property we rented is called Terrarosa by the owner and has its own web-site.Live and learn.
The ParkerCo.was very good to deal with and dealing directly with owner may not be as convient.Hope this helps.