Summary

 

Staying in a villa in Tuscany is one of the least expensive, and perhaps most rewarding, travel experiences one can enjoy. Let’s Go to Tuscany is what launched Catch the Wind Tours in 2007, and has been its main stay, introducing many clients to the Drifter Sister travel philosophy (laid back organization). A simple concept, we stay one week each in two villas (strategically chosen for convenient day trips throughout central Tuscany), I rent cars, pay for the gas, and off we go, following the suggested itinerary (or not). Three to four special meals are provided, plus breakfast items and evening snacks, but most of your main meals will be lunches on your own while out and about, allowing you to sample the unique and extraordinary Tuscan cuisine (including the requisite daily gelato, of course). Some enjoy a full-course sit-down feast; others prefer to grab a quick slice of pizza while on the run to the next museum or cathedral, guide book in hand. If you want to cook an evening meal at home, each villa has a fully stocked kitchen, as well, with convenient grocery stores located nearby. And if you prefer to stay back and enjoy the villa and lovely grounds, you are welcome to do so. Most seem to enjoy the camaraderie of the group outings and evenings sipping wine (furnished), noshing on bread and cheese (also furnished), and comparing notes about the fun adventures of the day. This is truly your time, to enjoy as you wish. I provide the means to do it.

 

Enough cars are rented to have 2-3 passengers per car, allowing some autonomy for those wishing to branch out on their own. Each day you can either follow me to a specific destination, or launch out on your own, as long as you can convince at least one or two others to join you. Train tickets to Arezzo and Assisi are included, as well as a bus ticket to Siena. Once at a hill town, we review the city map (provided), I point out the ‘must sees’ and a good restaurant or two, and then you are on your own, to visit the museums, cathedrals and other attractions. Some people choose to spend their time hiking to the top of the hill, exploring the little alleyways along the way. Others prefer to shop til they drop. Most combine visiting the churches and museums with a little shopping. The choice is yours. Those who want to eat together meet up at lunchtime and decide on the best spot, and we all meet again in the early afternoon (usually at the fountain – every hill town has one), to see who wants to go back to the villa, and who wants to stay longer. If you have never been to Europe or traveled much, you can stick with me. If you are a seasoned traveler and know the ropes, so to speak, you can enjoy as much freedom as you wish.

 

The first destination, Borgo Corsignano, is a renovated medieval village in the lovely Casentino Valley, near the hill town of Poppi (about 30 miles north of Arezzo), which sports its very own castle that can be seen from our villa. We stay in two or three adjacent ‘apartments,’ each with its own large, fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and living room, as well as a comfortable patio. There are no TVs, radios, or telephones. There is a computer in the office which you can use to send emails home. There is cell phone reception, but no wi-fi. From here we can visit the prime hill towns of Arezzo, Assisi, and Cortona, as well as several lesser known gems, such as the Franciscan monastery of La Verna, the nearby village of Stia, and of course our very own castle hill town of Poppi. The nearby ceramics factory is a ‘must’ visit, as well.

 

The second villa is San Giuseppe, near Sienna. This is a big, old restored farmhouse with six bedrooms (all with ensuite bathrooms, of course), again with a big, fully (and modernly) equipped kitchen, large dining room, and lovely grounds for enjoying an evening outdoors. There is a TV here, although you might need to know Italian to understand it, and they have recently added wi-fi capability. From here we can visit Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, Florence (optional excursion or on your own), the Chianti Country, and Colle val d’Elsa, our closest village, in addition to a couple little gems nearby.

 

If you want to do Tuscany in-depth, up close and personal, this is the trip for you.

 

An extension to Cinque Terre is offered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Itinerary

 

This itinerary is a suggestion – one that most of us will follow. It has been well tested and refined over the years; however, that doesn’t mean it is cast in stone. Some of you may wish to proceed on your own, or discover another hill town instead. There are a few days that we need to be together (2, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 15), either for special meals or travel days. Each evening around 7pm, we will have a little meeting to discuss plans for the next day. At this time, you will receive maps of the suggested hill town, learn about special features and ‘not to be missed’ attractions, as well as suggestions of restaurants for lunch.

 

If you want to go elsewhere, Ihla will provide advice for that destination if she can. Some of the places you might consider for individual excursions include a half day drive over the mountain to Bagno de Romagna, or a full day in Perugia. The nearby village of Stia, which has a great wool museum and shop, and the ceramics factory a few miles from Corsignano will also be fun to visit.

 

 

Back to Top

 

Inclusions

 

Included

 

• 2 Weeks Lodging in Villas (one week each in two separate villas)
• Rental Cars (including gas) – there will be enough cars to share among the group (2-4 per car)
• Supply of Breakfast Items, and Fruit, Bread, Cheese & Snacks (plus a little wine) for evenings
• Four Special Group Meals
• Train Tickets to Arezzo and Assisi/Bus Ticket to Siena
• Logistical Guidance, City Maps, GPS for independent exploration

 

Not Included

 

• Airfare
• Train and Bus Tickets other than mentioned above
• Meals other than those listed above
• Trip Insurance (Highly Recommended – ~5% of trip cost – Travel Guard available)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accommodations

 

 

 

Price

 

LET’S GO TO TUSCANY, May 5 – 29, 2012

 

$2,900* per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement $1,000
(an attempt will be made to pair you with a roommate if you want, but there is no guarantee)

 

DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATES

$500 Deposit due November 15, 2011, or upon sign up after this date

$2,400 Final Payment due February 25, 2012, or upon sign up after this date

 

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

Sign up before November 15, 2011 to receive $100 Early Bird Discount (will be reflected on Final Payment Invoice)

 

CINQUE TERRE PRE-TRIP EXTENSION, May 1 - 4, 2012

 

$900* per person, double occupancy

Single Supplement $250

Includes:

• 3 Nights in Monterosso, Cinque Terre
• 3 Breakfasts & 3 Very Nice Dinners in Cinque Terre
• 3-Day Train/Park Pass for Cinque Terre
• 1 Night in Pisa (Hotel near train station – 15 minute walk to Tower, etc.)
• 1 Dinner in Pisa, plus one breakfast at hotel
• Train Fare from Pisa to Cinque Terre and Cinque Terre to Florence

__________________________

 

*All prices are based on a currency rate of euro 1.5 or less. If it goes above this rate, the price of the trip may go up.

 

Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel 120 days prior to departure (for any reason), you will receive 100% refund of any monies you have paid to Drifter Sister, less any prepaid nonrefundable purchases made by Drifter Sister. If a cancellation occurs between 119 and 75 days prior to departure, you will receive a 75% refund of any monies you have paid to Drifter Sister, less any prepaid, non-refundable purchases made by Drifter Sister. In the case of a cancellation after 75 days prior to departure, a 50% refund of monies paid to Drifter Sister, less any prepaid, non-refundable purchases made by Drifter Sister, will be allowed only if the trip is full and a replacement can be found for you. Otherwise there will be no refund.

 

 

How to Book

 

How To Book

 

• Send an email of your interest to ihla@driftersister.com, or call Drifter Sister at 702-294-4365.

• Secure your spot by sending $100 Good Faith check (made out to Drifter Sister) to:

 

Drifter Sister
P.O. Box 60042
Boulder City, NV    89006

OR

 

Pay through PayPal

 

(For your convenience we offer this credit card payment option for the Deposits. However, for the Trip deposit, we must include PayPal's 2.9% fee.)

 

Select Payment Type

Good Faith Deposit $100.00 USD Trip Deposit $514.50 USD

 

• When the Good Faith deposit is received, sign-up paperwork will be sent to you via email. Please let me know if you would prefer it to be sent via snail mail.
• Deposit for this trip is $500, and is due by November 15, 2011, or upon sign-up.
• An Early Bird Discount of $100 applies to sign-ups prior to November 15, 2011.
• Final payment of $2,500 will be due on February 25, 2012. A separate invoice will be sent to you for this payment (adjusted for Early Bird Discount if applicable).
• All payments other than the Good Faith deposit (if made via PayPal) must be made by check.

 

NOTE: Your Good Faith deposit is applied to the cost of the trip, and is fully refundable if you must cancel for any reason. It also qualifies you for the Early Bird Discount if received prior to November 15, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAQ

 

---

 

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS

 

Q. Are there physical limitations for this trip?

A. Active adults of all ages are welcome. You will need to be able to get on and off trains, take care of your own luggage, and walk a lot. Hill towns of Tuscany are just that – hill towns, and parking is often at the BOTTOM of the hill. The train stations have a LOT of steps. Some accommodation can be made for those with less stamina, such as dropping you off at the top of a hill before parking, and there are 'lifts' at most of the train stations (but not all). If you feel you might be somewhat limited, give me a call and we'll assess your situation.  I am sorry, but I cannot accommodate wheelchair-bound clients.

Q. Is there a limitation on luggage?

A. I strongly suggest you not bring large pieces of luggage. I cannot emphasize this enough. People that bring too much or too-large luggage suffer and, probably more importantly, so do their fellow travelers. I get small rental cars – for two reasons. First, they’re cheaper, which helps to keep the price of the trip reasonable. Second, and probably more importantly, driving small cars in Italy is more convenient and, believe it or not, safer, as you negotiate those narrow roads and small parking spaces.

Q. What is a reasonable size for luggage?

A. One medium-sized bag and one small carry-on per person. As you pack, remember that nothing fancy is planned. One nice-casual outfit for evening dinners is appropriate, but t’s and jeans (or equivalent) are fine for daytime outings. There is a washing machine at each villa, so one week’s worth of undies and coordinated attire should suffice. If you are a couple, each should have his/her own medium-sized piece of luggage, instead of sharing one big one.

Q. What is the dress code for this trip?

A. We will not be doing anything fancy, so casual is fine. Jeans or equivalent and casual tops or T-shirts are fine. However one or two nicer casual outfit(s) is appropriate for evening and special meals. One of the reasons for going to Tuscany is to visit the churches. Most churches do not allow sleeveless tops or shorts.

Q. What will the weather be like?

A. It will still be chilly when we will be there early in May, with the potential of warming up by the end. I suggest at least a light jacket, and an umbrella or raincoat. The following is provided as a guideline.

- Florence (Tuscany)

   Average temps in May: hi 74, low 52, Precipitation: 2.9 inches

- Cinque Terre

    Average temps in May: hi 70, low 60

Q. Do we need airline tickets?

A. No. But remember to bring your flight e-ticket documentation to the airport with you, and keep it with you the entire trip. You will need it to do your initial check in, both coming and going. You should be able to log on to the airline web sites to print your boarding passes in advance if you like (within 24 hours of the flight). Don’t be alarmed, though, if it won’t let you; sometimes international flights must be done in person at the airport. You may also call the airline and give them your frequent flyer number to ensure you receive credit for your miles. Or be sure to have your frequent flyer number with you and do it at the airport upon arrival.

Q. Do you have any recommendations for reading prior to going on the tour?

A. I will bring many books for everyone’s reference use, however Florence & Tuscany in the DK Eyewitness Travel series is excellent, and seems to be helpful to those who bring a copy with them. I will have one for all to share, but you may want your own.

-   Although I will furnish pocket-sized Italian Language dictionaries, you might consider getting a copy of Say It Right in Italian. It is very important to show an attempt to speak the language, and it is even more important to pronounce the words correctly. This little book helps simplify this process. One way to purchase this book is to go to my website, www.driftersister.com, where there is a link to MacGraw-Hill in the article Learn a Little Language.

-   I highly recommend you read Alice Maye’s Under The Tuscan Sun. It will give you a wonderful feel for Italy.

 

VILLAS

 

Q. Can we prepare our own meals at the villas?

A. Yes. There are fully equipped kitchens at each villa, and convenient grocery stores nearby.

Q. Do we all have our own bathroom?

A. Yes. The bathrooms are en suite (each bedroom has its own bathroom).

Q. Are the beds twins or doubles?

A. In Corsignano (first week), each bedroom has one large bed. In San Giuseppe (second week) we have our choice between one large or two twins.

Q. Do we need to bring our own bedding, towels, etc.?

A. No. Bedding and towels are furnished by the villa. However, wash cloths are not provided. They are rarely provided in Italy. (Tip: consider cutting up an old towel into wash cloth sized squares. Bring a supply along, use one for a few days and then throw it out. Your luggage will get lighter each time, and you won’t have to worry about carting a damp wash cloth from place to place.)

Q. Do we need to bring our own laundry and hand soap?

A. Laundry soap is provided (they like a certain type to be used in their machines). Hand/body soap is not provided. You will want to bring a bar, or several small bars. (Tip: save the last little bits of your big bars during the year, and keep them to bring along on trips.)

Q. Are there clothes washing facilities at the villas?

A. Yes. At Corsignano there is a small laundry room near the office with two washing machines, an iron and board. No dryer, but there are drying racks that work quite well. Not many people staying at the villa seem to use this room, so we can usually snag a washer. San Giuseppe has a very nice laundry room equipped with both washer and dryer, ironing board, etc.

Q. Are there hair dryers at the villas?

A. No. You will need to bring your own hair dryer.

Q. Is there daily maid service at the villas?

A. No.

Q. What about TP. I've heard the quality in Europe is not good.

A. Their TP is just like ours now.

Q. Will TP be provided?

A. Yes. Some is provided by the villa to get us started. I replenish as needed.

 

ELECTRONICS

 

Q. Is wi-fi available at the villas?

A. Yes at San Giuseppe (second week). Not at Corsignano (first week).

Q. Is there a computer available at the villas?

A. There is a computer in the office at Corsignano for guests' use for emails, etc. during office hours (9-noon, and 3-6pm). San Giuseppe does not have a computer (however they have wi-fi). 

Q. Are electrical outlets different in Italy?

A. Yes. You will need to bring an adaptor for Western Europe. This can be picked up at most luggage stores, and K-Mart or Wal Mart, or ordered on line through TravelSmith.com or Magellan.com. You can get some practical advice from my website, www.driftersister.com and the website www.enjoy-europe.com. This is an excellent site. In addition to “Electricity in Europe,” check it out for articles on “Riding the Rails & Waves,” “What to Wear,” Driving the Roads in Europe,” “Communicating as You Travel,” and more. Converters will not be necessary for your electronic gadgets, however if you are bringing an American hair dryer and/or curling iron you will need a converter.

Q. Are there TVs?

A. Not at Corsignano. However there is a small wall-mounted TV in each bedroom at San Giuseppe, as well as a large one in the sitting room. Be aware that the channel selection is very limited. If you like football (soccer) you will be well entertained.

 

RENTAL CARS & DRIVING ARRANGEMENTS

 

Q. How does the rental car arrangement work?

A. We will have several rental cars. I can only rent one in my name. We will therefore need people (2 or 3) who are willing to put the other cars in their name, and on their credit card (which I will reimburse).

Q. Can more than one person drive each car?

A. I pay for one driver per car, and reimburse that person's IDP costs. One other person can be put on the contract as additional driver (at an additional cost (not included). The rental car company will need both principle and secondary drivers’ passport and IDP or driver’s license at time of pickup.

Q. Is an International Drivers Permit (IDP) mandatory?

A. No. However, it is highly recommended. It does not replace your U.S. driver’s license, but is merely a translation of your U.S. driver’s license into Italian. You get it from a AAA office (you don’t have to be a member), at a cost of about $35 or so, $25 for members, and less if you already have an extra passport-type picture. Otherwise AAA will take one for you. The main reason to have an IDP is in case you have a mishap in a remote location where they do not speak much, if any, English. Another good use for an IDP is as an additional piece of ID for times when you must leave an ID (for audio guides in a museum or church self-tour, for instance) and would rather not hand over your real driver’s license or passport.

Q. Can everyone drive if they want?

A. No. Only the person(s) on the contract for that car. If you have a desire to drive, and are not a primary or secondary driver, we can put you on one of the contracts. You will need to provide your own IDP, and pay the cost of an additional driver.

Q. How does insurance work for the rental cars?

A. Italian law requires rental car companies to provide collision and theft insurance, so the rental car rates are higher in Italy than other places in Europe that do not require this. However, there is a 500 euro deductible. I therefore provide a rental car policy through Travel Guard for each of the drivers, covering this deductible.

 

SIGHTSEEING DESTINATIONS, MEALS, & LOGISTICS

 

Q. How far will we have to drive to the sightseeing locations?

A. Other than the town in which each villa resides (both hill towns), the daily outing destinations will be between 30 minutes and an hour away. And in some cases, the journey might take up to two hours. The train ride to Assisi is a couple of hours by train, albeit very pleasant ones. The drive through Chianti country takes a full day – but in this case ‘the drive is the thing’ because the landscape is so beautiful. A few of our day trips, therefore, are just that. You may leave at 7 in the morning and not get back until 7 at night. One consolation is that it stays light this time of year until nearly 9, so you won’t be driving home after dark. There are also several fine towns to visit within the vicinity of the villas that can be done in half a day. It seems to work best if we alternate full and half-day trips.

Q. What if I don't want to go to a particular hill town?

A. I will provide a suggested itinerary that you may decide to follow – or not. You and others may wish to go a different way. And there is nothing to say you must cram sightseeing into every last minute you are there. The grounds of the villas, particularly Corsignano, are beautiful and peaceful. Some plain-old R&R at the villa might be your past time of choice.

Q. What type of food will be served in restaurants?

A.-  Italian, Italian, Italian. There are very few ethnic restaurants. However, it is not just pasta. Chicken, pork, and beef main courses (secondi) are usually on the menu, as well.

   -  Salads are more prevalent now than they were in 1998, when I was first there. However, they are not automatically served with a meal. And you are not asked what dressing you prefer. It will come plain, with oil and vinegar on the table to be applied to your liking.

Q. How much will the meals that I have to furnish myself cost? 

A. A lunch in a nice restaurant will cost ~ 30 to 40 Euros for 2, and will include a pasta, main course, side dish, and ½ liter of wine.  It will be less if you do not have the wine, of course, or only have one or two courses.  Full dinners will be 10-20 Euro more. Pizzerie, trattorie, osterie, and rosticcerie are cheaper. For instance, you can get a nice size pizza, good for one person, for 6-8 Euro. Italy for Dummies says: “You can generally count on all of these having traditional fare served in simple surroundings. Pizzerie specialize in pizza; trattorie and osterie are casual, family-run restaurants serving full, hearty meals at relatively inexpensive prices; and rosticcerie are cafeterias with pre-prepared hot dishes, and roasting chickens in the window.” There are also places that serve sandwiches, sort of deli-style, which have little counters where you can stand and have a quick snack or meal.

- A table & bread charge (listed as coperto on the bill)  will often be added to the bill, ranging between 2 and 4 Euros. It’s like a cover charge.

Q. Do you have any advice on how to save money on meals?

A. One way to save is to eat at a bar. To the Italians, a ‘bar’ is a place to have a quick espresso and possibly a pastry – if you stand it will cost less than if you sit at a table.

     - Caution: In most tourist locales, it will cost you more to eat outside than inside a restaurant.

     - One common mistake is to look at a menu and say, “Wow, this looks cheap. You can get spaghetti for just $5.”  But you soon learn that meals are served a’la carte. That listing for pasta will be a small portion, as it is considered just one of many courses, usually listed as a primi, or first course. The main course is called secondi, and a side dish (a vegetable, for instance, or salad) is called a contorno. Desert is dolci. You can order as many or few courses as you like.

Q. What hours do I need to look out for? For instance, do the Italians take a siesta mid-day like some other countries?

A. Yes. The Italians go home mid-day for lunch. Most restaurants, many attractions, and shops close mid-day (between ~1:00 and 3-4:00pm). And restaurants close between 2:00 and 7:00pm. So you need to be mindful of this and plan your day strategically. My suggestion is to arrive at a destination early morning, check out the shops and attractions, find a restaurant around 1pm (they stop seating by 1:30 or 1:45, and actually close at 2pm, but they will stay until everyone has finished their meal). You might find a pizza or sandwich place that stays open all day, but if you miss this 2pm cutoff time, you will not find an actual sit-down restaurant open again until 7pm, or later. After your lunch, you can visit more attractions and window shop until the shops open again at around 4pm.

 

MONEY

 

Q. I heard that credit cards are not always accepted and that we should bring debit cards for the ATM machine.

A. I have never had (or known anyone who has had) a problem using their Visa card. I’ve noticed some merchants will not take American Express, though (Discover might be a problem, as well), but usually Visa and MasterCard are accepted everywhere. You will need some cash (euros) while there, and it is best to use your ATM cards to withdraw from the ATM machines. Remember to check that it is has a 4-digit pin number. Foreign ATMs won’t accept more than 4 digits.

Q. Should I get euros before I leave?

A. That’s up to you. If it’s convenient, through your bank, perhaps you might want to do so. But it’s not necessary, and I wouldn’t recommend it because there are usually fees involved. There are several ATM machines in Cinque Terre, and in our first little town, 5 minutes from the villa.

Q. How can I get euros while there?

A. ATM’s are everywhere, so you should have a debit card that enables you to withdraw funds

-   Know your network

-   Cirrus (Master Card) and Plus (Visa) are the most common. There is a Plus ATM location in Ponte Poppi, near our villa, which is very convenient. In fact, there are several.

-   Make sure your checking account has enough funds in it to cover your anticipated withdrawals, just in case. The ATM’s don’t give you a choice of checking or savings, and they don’t transfer funds.

-  Check your daily withdrawal limit before you go so you will know how much you can take out in a day.

-   Check for fees imposed (so you won’t have any surprises). My credit union charges a 1% International transaction fee, banks may charge more. The ATM’s charge as well.

-   European ATMs accept only 4-digit pin numbers (no letters).  If yours has more than that, be sure you get it changed before you go.

-   This is very important. Let your bank and credit card company know you are going. Otherwise, they may put a hold on your card and/or not allow your purchases.

Q. What can I expect to spend?

A. First of all, Italy is not cheap. The Euro is worth more than the dollar. Although it fluctuates based on the economic climate, it is anywhere from 20% to 50% higher than the US Dollar.

Q. What is paid for?

A. As delineated in the itinerary,

- Your breakfasts and some snacks will be furnished at the villa.

- I will pay for three or four group meals during the two weeks at the villa – either dinners or lunches, depending upon circumstances and convenience. If you choose not to eat with the group on these special occasions, you will bring me the receipt for your meal and I will reimburse you the actual amount, up to Euro 20/person dinner, Euro 15/person lunch.

- Those going on the Florence excursion will also have lunch paid for that day.

- Gas for the rental cars will be furnished. If you are out and about and need gas, go ahead and pay for it and then give me the receipt so I can reimburse you. Gas stations are not open all the time. When not open, they have self-serve accommodations, but you can’t get a receipt. So think ahead. I will not reimburse without a receipt unless it was in an emergency situation.

- Those going on the Cinque Terre extension will have breakfast and dinner each day, and all transportation paid for.

- Train tickets to Assisi and Arezzo, and bus ticket to Siena, are included

- Any time I pay for something, such as a bus or train ticket, meal, or whatever, please save the receipt or ticket and give it to me for my records. It is my only proof that I paid for it.

Q. What will I need to pay for?

A.-   Meals other than those listed in the Itinerary.  You will need to provide one major meal most days.  I suggest a lunch while out and about as opposed to waiting for dinner, because lunches are cheaper.  Keep in mind that most restaurants close at 2 or 3pm, and don’t open again til 7pm.

-   Train or bus tickets, and taxi rides you choose to take. Relatively short train rides will cost 5-20 Euro. Long rides (to Rome, or Venice, perhaps) will cost 50-100 Euro or more.

-   Alcoholic and other beverages not listed in the itinerary

-   Museum and other attraction tickets

-   Gelato and Souvenirs – that’s up to you

Q. What is the tipping etiquette in Italy?

A.-   Restaurants

-   If you see the term servicio incluso on the menu, or an item entitled servicio on the bill, it means the tip is included in your bill. This is a common practice, and is usually no more than 10%.  No more is needed, but if it is really good service, you might leave an additional Euro or two on the table. If the tip is not included, 10% is an acceptable amount. Waiters are paid a reasonable wage and do not rely on tips the way they do in the U.S.

-   Another common practice is the ‘bread’ or ‘table’ charge (called coperto or pane e coperto).  It’s like a cover charge. Before you even order, 2-4 Euro is put on your bill. This is irritating, but let’s not complain and be ‘ugly Americans’ about it.  It is especially prevalent in the nicer restaurants.

-  For baggage handling:  A tip of 1 Euro per bag

-  Taxis: Just round up the fare

 

COMMUNICATING WITH THE HOME FRONT

 

Q. Is there a phone at the villas?

A. No.

Q. How can we get in touch with friends/relatives at home?

A.- You can use your mobile or SmartPhone. (You will need to talk to your carrier about coverage and charges while in Italy.)

- I have a Netbook, which can be used for emails, which you are welcome to use when I am not using it.

- I have a Magic Jack, which allows free calls to/from the U.S., which you are welcome to use for safe arrival and/or emergency calls.

NOTE: Please be advised that if you have important business to conduct while on this tour, it is your responsibility to make arrangements for communications.

 

Finally, please read the following Thoughts and Considerations before you Decide

 

SOME THOUGHTS & CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE YOU DECIDE

 

This is NOT a tour, in that every day is planned out for you. A suggested itinerary is provided, which has been developed over the last several years in which I have lead 5 trips to the area. Usually the whole group goes to the same place, but sometimes little groups head out in different directions, some in cars, some on the train. The first week is usually the former, and the second week the latter, as everyone becomes familiar with the territory. Some may even want to hang out at the villas – they are very beautiful and relaxing, each with a nice pool, and the countryside is conducive to long, leisurely walks.

 

Keep in mind, we need people that can get around, 3 or 4 who can drive the (manual transmission) rental cars, and put them in their names, get on and off trains, take care of their own luggage, and walk a lot. Hill towns of Tuscany are just that – hill towns, and parking is often at the BOTTOM of the hill. The train stations have a LOT of steps. Some of the places to visit are nearby, and some take a couple of hours to get to. Most are less than an hour’s drive, but Assisi, for instance, is a 2 hour train ride. When a trip is described as a day trip, it could mean 7am to 7pm, including a 1-hour drive time, or 2-hour train ride each way.

 

Corsignano is not a fancy place. It is a converted medieval village, after all. It is, however, very comfortable, with BIG fireplaces, BIG tables for group meals, and decent beds. Each bedroom has its own bathroom. Each room has one queen-sized bed. The plumbing is modern. There are large kitchens for making meals ‘at home’ to save money.  San Giuseppe is more modern, but also has the ambience of a country villa.

 

If you are traveling as a single, you can be matched up with a single of the same sex. All beds at Corsignano are queens, however. If you prefer to have your own bedroom, a single supplement will be charged.

 

I have maps, English/Italian dictionaries, Italian driving rules/signs, and so on. If you have never been to Italy or done much traveling, don’t worry, I will take care of you. If you are a seasoned traveler and wish to be more or less left alone, that’s no problem, either. The only thing I hope for is a group of flexible, sociable individuals that can adapt to changes or glitches, turn them into adventures, and have a good time together. No matter how hard we try, one thing is certain: no trip is ever perfect. But I will do the best I can to make any bumps we encounter as smooth as possible.

 

Due to the small size of the rental cars, it is extremely important to limit the amount of luggage you bring on this trip. One medium bag and one small carry-on is all that is allowed. If you bring too much it will not just be hard on you. More importantly, you will be impacting your fellow travelers. You will get sick of me saying this, but it is really important for the enjoyment of all. There is a laundry room at each villa.

 

Back to the Top

 

Photos

 

Testimonials

 

2011

 

“It was a wonderful trip. I enjoyed all of the places we visited.” – LueAnn A.

 

2009

 

“Well planned and coordinated. Tour leader was well organized and met the needs of the individuals who varied in interests and physical abilities.” – Phyllis V.

 

“The great thing about the Tuscany trip … is that it’s great for the seasoned traveler and first timer alike – I did feel secure all the time.” – Shirley N.

  

“Ihla exceeded all expectations. She lead us to areas totally unknown to tourists. The ‘snacks & breakfasts’ wanted for nothing. Lots of surprise gourmet treats. She was always there for any questions and when we were on our own in villages and cities, she always seemed to know where we were! And if we were unsure of ourselves she was always willing to accompany us. She was always loaded with ideas. I can highly recommend her trip to all ages.” – JoAnn H.   

 

“You … made this trip a dream come true.” – Rosemarie I

 

“A must see experience! The setting, church bells, roof top garden, interesting villages.” – Phyllis V

 

2008

 

“A refreshing adventure!” – Philip E.

 

“A wonderful adventure in small towns with kind merchants. Escape in trails of park or relax by the sea sipping local wines. A great value for the experience.” – Peggy & Phil E.

 

“A beautiful experience I didn’t know existed.” – Terry R.

 

 

2007

 

“… a beautifully executed trip with the perfect mix of structure and freedom.” – Margaret K.

 

“The whole adventure went like clockwork… You can see and do as much or as little as you want. The villa … and scenery were outstanding.” – Jennifer S.

 

 

“… a unique blend of independent travel and guided tour. It was a wonderful trip. Thank you, Ihla.” – Phyllis B.

 

“An amazing adventure.” – Jeff F.

 

“Obviously this trip was carefully planned and executed. It brought to us a wonderful experience that would be difficult to find anywhere else.” – Terry J.