06 September 2019

How to Find the Perfect Tuscan Villa

So you've been craving the sun after reading, watching movies, documentaries, TV shows, cooking shows, magazines, and being smothered in Tuscan everything. And you are indulged in your own Tuscan heaven ', the perfect vacation among the softly-shaped hills covered with vineyards, olive trees, and cypresses in one of Italy's most enchanting regions. But what now? Could this dream come in the worst vacation of your life? Do not make assumptions when traveling abroad, people live differently so you may not find the same way they are in the USA.

Avoid nightmare-like situations with these useful pointers.

1. Location, location, location. This is not just for business, but for renting a villa in Italy as well. Many have ended up in remote locations. Make sure you look at a villa before booking a villa, consider the relations in cities, as well as nearby towns. If you're planning on taking day-trips, make sure you're not too far from a highway or autostrada, in Italian. Keep in mind that you are part of a working farm, which means you will not be walking away to towns or shops. When you're on a farm, you can enjoy the wonderful country views, nature walks, and silence. Villas in Italy are usually called Agriturismo, which basically means agricultural tourism,

2. An empty house.Yes, that's what you get when you rent a. Unless you go to hotel or B & B, do not provide many services for customers, sometimes there is no reception at all. It's usually a house with basic, traditional country furniture, linens, silverware, dishes, pots & pans, towels, appliances such as a TV, fridge, dishwasher. Hmm ... yeah, that's about it! Some places may provide soap, dishwashing fluids, washing machine detergent, and toilet paper. So, you will be responsible for food, bottled water, juices, wine, and anything else you're going to need during your stay. If you have particular needs, make sure you ask the booking agent first. Also, Italians do not use dryers, because they are known to use up a lot of energy, so the way Italians are dry on clothes. Sometimes you can find foldable clothes lines that you can use indoors if it's rainy outside. Washing machines are typically available in a villa, they are front-loading and sometimes tricky to function. US machine cycle, so do not be concerned if you're being washed for over 2 hours. They will come out really clean !!

3. Look at the big picture. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of choices out there .. just try to Google villa in Italy? and see how many results you get! Pretty scary, huh? Word of mouth. If you're a friend and you've seen the pictures, try to get the contact information. If you are starting from scratch and you are randomly picking out photos of beautiful villas from websites, again, make sure you know exactly where this is in relation to everything. Also, do not just look at pictures of rooms and interiors. Right outside your room!

4. When should I go and how long should I stay? Planning a countryside stay. In Italy (Umbria, Tuscany, Marches) is in Spring (end of April, May, June) and Fall (September, October). As many villas do not have air-conditioning, but also for the presence of mosquitos and other bugs. Winter can be cold, rainy, and overall gloomy. The hills are stripped of the bright greens and yellows that you find in the other seasons. If you decide to rent a place (house, apartment, etc.) in Southern Italy, as much as the weather can be sunny during the year, because this is most popular (both private and public transportation, ferry boats, tours, excursions, etc.) are available. Many villas are rented by the week, so if you want to stay less than that, you may be required to pay for the whole week. A common assumption that Americans make is to find screened windows. Mosquito-repellent or even better, your own netting and some double-sided tape. I will not give thumbs, because they will leave holes in the window frame. I know, one can not leave the windows closed and keep the bugs out. Many villas are rented by the week, so if you want to stay less than that, you may be required to pay for the whole week. A common assumption that Americans make is to find screened windows. Mosquito-repellent or even better, your own netting and some double-sided tape. I will not give thumbs, because they will leave holes in the window frame. I know, one can not leave the windows closed and keep the bugs out. Many villas are rented by the week, so if you want to stay less than that, you may be required to pay for the whole week. A common assumption that Americans make is to find screened windows. Mosquito-repellent or even better, your own netting and some double-sided tape. I will not give thumbs, because they will leave holes in the window frame. I know, one can not leave the windows closed and keep the bugs out. mosquito-repellent or even better, your own netting and some double-sided tape. I will not give thumbs, because they will leave holes in the window frame. I know, one can not leave the windows closed and keep the bugs out. mosquito-repellent or even better, your own netting and some double-sided tape. I will not give thumbs, because they will leave holes in the window frame. I know, one can not leave the windows closed and keep the bugs out.

5. Renting a car. Unclassed roads, isolated on top of a hill, surrounded by nothing but trees. If you are staying for a week or more, you should enter the idea of renting a car, as intimidating as this may be. As you will need to buy your own groceries and other consumer goods. If you do not want to stay that long, the best option is to hire a private driver for a few days. Private drivers do not just know all the bumps in the roads, they are licensed professionals in the city centers. Usually, all expenses are included in the quoted rate: the vehicle, gas, highway tolls, parking fees, the driver's meals, etc. I think this is a great option if you want to spend more time enjoying the sites, food & wine, and less time trying to figure out where you want to get gas, and how to get back home after a long dinner of feasting.

6. Kids or no kids?  The small hilltop towns can be very fun for children, but keep in mind. Can be very relaxing as you enjoy the views, but can be used to turn out to be bored after a while. So make sure you ask for cooking classes, excursions, horse-back riding, or other activities for adults and kids.

7. Learn Italian! If you're going to do the driving, this is highly recommended. Getting lost is easier than you think when there are not many landmarks around. Also, Italian street signs will be awfully confusing, so knowing some of you will come in handy when you need directions or need to find a pharmacy / bank / grocery store / gas station / internet access / post office / etc. Most people who live in the country are the elders who do not speak English, so make sure you do your homework (litterally) and take some Italian lessons before taking that plane !!

Use this list of 20 questions to get the information you need before signing any papers.

Questions to ask when booking at villa:

1. Will someone meet me at the villa and explain how everything works? Whom do I call if I have questions or problems? Whom do I call to local activities and excursions? What are their working hours and when is their day off? Meet me at the villa and explain how everything works? Whom do I call if I have questions or problems? Whom do I call to local activities and excursions? What are their working hours and when is their day off?

2. Will a house instructions book or other binder of instructions await me at the villa? In a house instructions book?? or other binder of instructions await me at the villa? 

3. Insist on them, a list of what's at home and what you need to bring, and information on activities and excursions.

4. What day trips are easily made from this villa? In the past few days, in the distance, you can be deceiving, to the things I want to do and see? 

5. What is the weather like in the season when I will be there?

6. How close is the village with stores and restaurants? I need a car? 

7. Consider a villa's location and the driving times to the activities you plan to pursue. An unpaved ten-mile road with hairpin turns, for instance, can take an hour to navigate. Is the villa on an unpaved road? How rough is the road? 

8. What features does the group have to keep our group entertained (for instance, satellite TV, DVD player, pool, game room, ping pong table, a library)? 

9. Does this villa have any features that make it unsafe for the very young or the very old? Do the staircases have railings? If there's a pool, is it gated? Is it heated? Are fireplaces screened? Would you like to be a traveler with physical limitations? If anyone in your group has special needs, be sure to mention these to the villa agent. 

10. Is the villa staffed? If not, if I needed to hire staff (eg, a cook, butler, maid) Do you provide housekeeping services more often than the once-a-week, which is standard for most villas? 

11. Is there a phone? Is there internet access? If so, what is the charge?

12. Is there air-conditioning / heating? If so, what is the charge for using it? 

13. Is the kitchen fully equipped? Is there an American-style coffeemaker? A microwave? An outdoor grill? 

14. Will I need to bring any linens, such as beach towels? 

15. What are the local store hours? Can I buy on Saturday evening, which stores are open on Sunday? How many minutes are these stores from the house? Is it better for me to stop at the store? If so, exactly what will I need to buy? Alternatively, can you stock the fridge for me? 

16. Can I pay for the villa with a credit card? What is your cancellation policy?

17. What are the extra expenses that I might incur? 

18. Are multiple sets of keys available for different members? 

19. Does a fence separate the property from the main road? Have there ever been security issues?

20. Is a safe or lockbox of some kind provided? Securing valuables and travel documents should be routine whenever you're away from home.