Planning your next trip to Tuscany can sometimes be daunting, whether you are a frequent traveler to Italy or this is your first time in the bel paese. One of the best ways to see Italy is by renting private Villa Tuscany Apartments for your stay. Knowing ahead of time that your accommodations are waiting for your arrival gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on the reason you came to Tuscany – food, wine and art.
A Home Away
Having a space of your own is a wonderful way to relax, unwind and have a home base for day trips and excursions. Set out for an afternoon of art in Florence, tour the wine region of Chianti, wander through the hill top villages of Cortona, San Gimignano and Montepulciano, then return to your own space to enjoy a glass of wine and a leisurely dinner at your Villa Tuscany Apartments. It’s the best of both worlds.
Getting Here
Getting to Tuscany is easy from almost anywhere. The region has three convenient airports serving central Italy: Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci), Pisa Airport (Galileo Galilei) and Rome Fiumicino. You can rent a car at the airport, or better yet, hire one of many English-speaking drivers to help you plan and execute your Tuscan itinerary. Summers can be rather warm, and winter has rain, but generally Italy’s mild weather makes it a perfect destination any time of year.
Five Tips for Happy Traveling in Tuscany
The following are a few simple and helpful tips to make your holiday in Italy successful, fun and stress-free:
1. If you are traveling between larger cities like Florence, Pisa, and Lucca consider train travel: It’s more convenient and cost-effective.
2. Stamp your tickets: To validate your tickets, timestamp them in the yellow or green machines at train stations or run them through machines on the buses. Failure to do so could mean a huge fine that may ruin your day.
3. If renting a car, ask for a GPS – it’s a lifesaver!
4. In smaller towns remember that stores and government offices close at 1:00 p.m. and don’t open again until 4:00 p.m., so plan accordingly.
5. Bars in Italy are where you drink coffee. Generally you pay the cashier first and then order from the barista at the counter. A “caffe” is an espresso. To order regular coffee, ask for a “caffe Americano”. If you order a “latte” you will get a glass of milk so say “caffe latte”.
Under the Tuscan Sky
Beauty, charm, warmth, sun and a life full of pleasures: A Tuscany vacation is all you’ll ever want and more. Buon viaggio.
Brendan Kenny is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow him @Beekayyyyyy.