Archive for 'Travel Tips'

  

Thursday, October 4, 2007
Autumn in Tuscany
As the days been to grow shorter and the evenings get cooler, you can be sure that Autumn is here. The vendemmia begins as the grapes are finally ready for the picking and the wine makers start their almost magical craft. Travelers who visit Tuscany in Autumn can typically expect several things...

First of all, the weather is ideal. The heat from the summer is fading while the cool of the winter is creeping in, leaving visitors with a wholly pleasant mix of the two. Many days will see highs in the 70°F's and lows at night in the mid 50°F's and 60°F's.


Cool breezes through the hills will keep you comfortable while the grape harvest continues, as many Tuscany villas that produce wine will often allow or even encourage visitors to help if they want. You won't be able to enjoy the wine you help with that day, but there is sure to be plenty of it in the dinners after the harvest from previous seasons.

Tuscany is well known for its many small towns and the rolling hills and valleys that make it such a beautiful region. Autumns arrival brings a change to these trees and hillsides that only serve to make them even more of an attraction. What better time to see the many trees, forests, and groves than when the leaves are changing and beginning to paint the ground with their natural palette of reds, golds, and yellows?     Read More
Posted in: Food and Wine, Products & Specialities, Travel Tips

  

Saturday, September 8, 2007
If there is one mistake that is repeated more often each year than any other it’s waiting to long to book a villa for a large group. Large villas are always the first properties to be booked in the season. There are many reasons for this but the primary factor is coordinating the travel schedules of some many people and booking airlines tickets.

When should you book? As soon as you know the number of people traveling and have decided on a travel date (remember villa bookings run from Saturday to Saturday). In most cases, the rates and availability come online in Aug/Sept of the prior year, so, for example, you can book for the 2008 season now. If you need to book two years in advance please let us know and we can suggest some properties that allow bookings that far in advance.     Read More
Posted in: Travel Tips, Villas and Farmhouses

  

Sunday, September 2, 2007
If you need access to the internet while traveling in Tuscany and the villa you're renting doesn't offer internet access there is no reason to panic. With over 400 Wi-Fi points throughout Tuscany, getting online is not as big a problem as it once was. With more and more hotspots coming online each month, finding an internet connection will become easier as time goes on.

For those of you unfamiliar with hotspots, a hotspot is a location with a wireless internet connection that is open to the public. Sometimes it's free and in some cases it is fee-based. Connection to the network is made through your wireless adapter in your laptop or other hardware. There are a good number of sources online that can educate you about the wi-fi industry. A simple Google search for 'what is wi-fi' will yield abundant results.     Read More
Posted in: Travel Tips

  

Saturday, August 18, 2007
Many villa owners will grant a discount for last-minute travel. Discounts of 10-20% off the normal price are usual.

Last-minute travel is defined differently from owner to owner but generally speaking if you will be arriving within 30 days of the time you book that is considered last-minute. Some owners are more restrictive with their policy and only grant discounts if the villa is booked with 2-weeks of arrival.     Read More
Posted in: Special Offers, Travel Tips, Villas and Farmhouses

  

Monday, August 13, 2007
Villa Rentals
Basically there are two types of villa rentals either Private or Multi-Unit. The choice you make for your family or group could be what makes or breaks your trip. Lets first define the two types of villas. We define a private villa as an independent structure with no shared facilities. (Although in some cases there could be a caretaker or owner that lives on the premises as well.) A multi-unit villa has multiple living spaces inside the structure of the villa. Typically these units are like apartments and include kitchen, dining room, living room, bedrooms, bathrooms and a small dedicated outdoor space for each unit. The majority of the outdoor space and facilities, such as the pool, are shared among all the guests.

The most common request we receive is for a private villa with pool that is close to a town with shops and restaurants. While this may sound like the ideal villa and for many it is, but for a lot of groups and families, considering a multi-unit villa would be a better option. Why a multi-unit villa? There are many reasons including price, privacy (yes privacy!), companionship and choice.     Read More
Posted in: Travel Tips, Villa Spotlights, Villas and Farmhouses