Hi all. I remember how helpful the members of this forum were planning my Amalfi Coast honeymoon (glorious!) in 2002.

We're now thinking of returning to Italy this May. A group of friends would like to rent a villa, perhaps in Tuscany. Can anyone steer me to good sites for Tuscany 101? We've been checking out rentavilla.com and tuscany.net -- any rants or raves? I really don't even have the basics down yet as to which area to stay in. (And how do we decide between flying into Pisa vs. Florence?) Also, how far is Florence from the heart of Tuscany?

Secondly, I have long dreamed of seeing Venice and was unable to work it into my honeymoon itinerary. Can someone give me a rough idea of what travel options (and times) are like between Tuscany and Venice? Perhaps we'll open jaw it....

FWIW, I will be five months pregnant on this trip if anyone has any particular advice. My doctor has no problem with me going...
Thanks!

Jennifer, spend some time at slowtrav.com for all things about rentals and most things about Tuscany. Do not miss the trip reports.

Thanks! (BTW, just for the record, I know Florence is *in* Tuscany, I mean how far is the city from the Tuscan countryside... )

From the city limits, the countryside is almost immediately "countryside". From the center of Florence, this might be 10 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.

Best wishes,

Rex

Slowtrav.com is a great site for Tuscany - I'd love to rent a villa there someday! Also, check out books on Tuscany from your local library. I love Eyewitness guides because the pictures are great (though I don't think I'd take one on vacation as the books are so heavy).

In terms of where to fly into, you'll probably base your decision on flight costs. From where we live, it's just as cheap to fly into Milan or Venice, and expensive to fly into Florence or Pisa.

Consider an open jaws flight into or out of Venice; it's not that far from Tuscany, and you could easily take a train from Venice to Florence, spend some time there, then rent a car on your way out of Florence. The website for Italy's railroad is www.trenitalia.com, and it shows that it's 3 hours from Venice to Florence.

To help your planning, buy a good map that includes Florence and the rest of Tuscany. I like the Michelin map, though the Italian Touring Club one is more detailed. They both highlight the more beautiful routes in green, and you'll get a picture of how close/far the various towns in Tuscany are from each other. (For example, Chianti is pretty much the first thing south of Florence on s.222.)

I went to Italy when I was 4 months pregnant. It wasn't a problem; I'm pretty active, so it really didn't slow me down at all. Keep in mind, though, that things can happen, and think about how you'd contact your doctor if you needed to.

We rented a villa in Tuscany (about an hour south of Florence in Castellina in Chianti)in Sept. 2000. Used the Parker Co. (out of MA). We could not have been more pleased. Also have recommended the Parker Company to others...they have been very pleased as well. Have fun!!

"Secondly, I have long dreamed of seeing Venice and was unable to work it into my honeymoon itinerary. Can someone give me a rough idea of what travel options (and times) are like between Tuscany and Venice? Perhaps we'll open jaw it...."

Open jaws is undoubtedly best because there aren't any options at all - you take the 3 hour train ride Florence to Veince and back. There is no other practical way to do it. It's really inconsiderate. Why couldn't they have put Venice some place reasonable, like where Bologna is?

Jen,

I'm part of a large group renting a villa in June through Tuscany Now, and they have been extremely helpful. I also like that every location they represent has a pool, and our cleaning and electricity costs are included as well. No hidden charges that can really add up. You might want to check them out. They have a great big catalogue that you can request.

Oh, and as a real treat - the caretaker makes dinner for us on the day we arrive, at no extra cost!