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you are visiting Tuscany for the first time
you will quickly realise that it is no ordinary
holiday area, but a total escape into a
timeless way of life.
Best period
Most beautiful in May, September and October
these are the best months for escaping
the heat and the crowds and to enjoy the
colorful of spring and autumn where days
are still warm and there's plenty of sunshine
to enjoy.
Tuscany is largely rural and the landscape
of cypresses, olive groves and vineyards
are renowned throughout the world, for
centuries Tuscans have preserved their
surroundings, culture and traditions making
of this the most fascinating region of
Italy.
Rental suggestions
One of the finest ways to explore Tuscany
is from the comfort and convenience of
a self catering villa or vacation home.
Some villas or farmhouses have been converted
into a series of holiday apartments. Other
properties may have a resident owner in
one part and rent out a self-contained
apartment in another part, rentals run
from Saturday to Saturday and you'll be
usually asked to arrive after 16.00 hours
and depart before 10.00 hours. In this
properties it is common to be asked to
pay a security deposit on arrival to cover
possible breakages and damage often expected
to be in cash.
Suitable alternatives can be taken into
consideration, for those who want to enjoy
the peaceful and tranquil of the countryside
without being isolated and still feel
the Tuscan atmosphere we suggest to rent
an apartment in a small village, this
type of accommodation has normally private
garden or terrace facilities and within
walking distance bars, restaurants and
shops.
Places to visit
To get the most of your first stay
in tuscany, best sights, history, and
most important art and architecture masterpieces
there are some places you can't loose.
The renaissance town of Florence,
Lucca's
fabulous Villas, medieval Arezzo
and Cortona. Among all, Siena
with its wonderful landscape of cypress
trees and olive groves is the perfect
basement for exploring the whole region.
Transport
Renting a self catering property in the
countryside will allow you to relax in
peace, recharge and taste Tuscany rural
lifestyle but there are somethings you
may well be grateful that you know before
you arrive.
Countryside properties are normally only
reachable by private transport, public
transport will never be in most of them
nearer than 1 km. Nearest villages or
hamlets to the properties with restaurants
and shops may be 3/5 km away ( don't leave
the shopping until Sunday, practically
nowhere will be open ) and most interesting
points have no easy access by train or
bus so hiring a car is highly recommended
specially for exploring places out of
the beaten tracks.
If you're coming with your own car or
motorbike remember you'll be in the countryside
and roads of access may be unmade or grevel
tracks, if your own car has low supension
or you're driving a motorbike you may
find difficulties.
When travelling abroad we must accept
that things will be different from our
home country and therefore you may take
into consideration the following points:
- Building or road works may be in
progress in the vicinity of your chosen
accommodation. Farmhouses need constant
maintenance and may require refurbishment
from time to time. These works may start
early in the day as is local practice
and can occur at any time during the
season.
- Safety Standards are those imposed
by the laws and regulations of Italy
and could be less, or even more, stringent
than those you enjoy in your home country,
such regulations is a matter for the
Italian authorities and the local supplier
of the services concerned.
- Most of the properties have satellite
TV, but there is no guarantee of the
channels you can watch. Usually no more
than one English channel is available.
- Usually food shops closed on Monday
mornings and Saturday afternoons. Most
will be closed from lunchtime until
4.00 p.m and open until 7.00 -8.00 p.m.
- During hotests months you will be
mined by mosquitoes, insect-repellents
are highly recommended. Snakes, vipers
and scorpions exist also here but they're
normally scared off noise and open spaces.
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