More on Driving in Italy...

 

If you are new to driving on Italy's roads, there are some important rules, customs and peculiarities you should acquaint yourself with.

Italy’s motorways are part of an extensive network that links the country from the top edge to the heel and tip of the boot, and between the Tyrrhenian, Mediterranean and Adriatic seas.Whether you’re a foreign visitor or long-time resident, this practical guide provides tips on how to drive on Italy’s vast, if not sometimes hair-raising, motorways. Before you hop onto an autostrada or take a road trip along Italy’s scenic country roads, here are a few things you should know

Know the basic rules of the road

In Italy, motorists drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left.  To drive you must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license. Whenever you get behind the wheel, you must carry an ID, car registration and proof of insurance.

If you are a visitor in the country for a period of less than 12 months, your foreign license must be accompanied by an international driving permit issued in your home country.

Wearing seat belts is mandatory for drivers and passengers, and using cell phones or other mobile devices with the exception of hands-free systems while driving is strictly prohibited 

Headlights must be on at all times outside residential areas (centri abitati), even on bright sunny days.

The requirement applies both inside and outside residential areas for motorbikes and scooters; it’s also mandatory for motorcyclists and their passengers to wear an EU-approved helmet.

Be well-versed in Italian road signs, especially those indicating “stop”, “yield”, “do not enter”, “no passing”, “wrong way” and “no parking”.

For a deeper understanding of Italian road signs:   Click Here

Understand Italian road categories

Autostrade are Italy's motorways – they'll get you to your destination in the most direct and fastest way. Named with the prefix ‘A’ followed by the number of the road (A1, A35, etc), signs indicating an autostrada are green with white text.

The speed limit on autostrade may not exceed 130 km/h and most require paying a toll at the end of the journey via cash, credit card or TELEPASS cards. (note: your American EZ Pass will not work in Italy).



If you want to avoid paying a toll, use  extra-urban roads (strada extraurbana) or urban road (strada urbana).

Extra-urban roads (blue signs with white text) have a speed limit of either 110 km/h or 90 km/h depending on whether they're main roads (strade principali) or secondary roads (strade secondarie).

On urban roads (white signs with black text) the maximum speed is set at 50 km/h, though some Italian towns and cities, like Bologna, have recently introduced their own lower speed limits.

Speed limits on motorways and extra-urban roads are lower in the event of rain or snow.

Learn the protocol for merging onto motorways and roundabouts

Onramps to Italian autostrade are quite short, so be sure you have plenty of room to merge into traffic safely. Match your rate of speed with that of the flow of traffic and be prepared to stop if someone won’t or can’t let you in.

The rules for merging onto a roundabout (rotatoria or rotonda) depend on whether or not they have road signs.For roundabouts with road signs (three circulating arrows), cars traveling inside the rotonda have the right of way. Any car entering must stop and allow them to proceed before entering.If a roundabout has no signs posted, cars already traveling inside the circle must give the right-of-way to cars entering from the right-hand side.

What to do in case of an emergency

If you have an accident or breakdown, there are rest stops up and down motorways with telephones indicated by the words ‘SOS’.

You can use these to speak to an operator for help or call Italy’s Automobile Club ACI from your cell phone for assistance (803.116 from within Italy or 800.116.800 from a foreign number, toll-free).

They will tow any foreign registered vehicle to the nearest affiliated garage free of charge.

Speed cameras and checkpoints

Italians have a reputation for speeding, so the fact that there are more speed cameras installed on Italy’s roads than anywhere else in Europe may not come as a surprise.

Fines for a speed violation range from 42 to 3,382 euros depending on how much the limit is exceeded by. 

If you come across a random checkpoint, you may be waved over by a police officer holding a white paddle with an orangish middle. Pull to the side of the road and be prepared to show your driving documents and other photo identification.

Pay attention to ZTL zones

Most towns and cities in Italy have areas know as zona traffica limitato or ZTL.

Generally located around historic centres, only residents or vehicles with special permits are allowed to drive in these areas during restricted time periods (when the ZTL electronic signboard says attivo, or active).

Cameras will record offenders’ license plates and issue a multa (traffic fine) via post or through the rental car company.

Beware of Italian driving habits

It usually takes some time for foreign nationals to get used to the unconventional way Italians motor about, and knowing what to expect will help you avoid surprising situations.

One of the most common quirks of Italian drivers is tailgating.




Many of us were taught that it’s prudent to leave at least two car lengths between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. That’s not really a thing in Italy.

It can be quite unnerving to have a car riding your bumper and flashing its headlights. The best thing to do is stay calm and let the car go around you. They eventually will, especially if you move to the right side of your lane a bit to indicate cooperation.

Another oddity some Italians practice is straddling lanes. You’ll often see a car driving between lines, directly above the white line, for what seems like an inordinate amount of time.

To avoid a potential collision in these scenarios, stay alert and put a reasonable amount of distance between you and the car ahead of you. 

Time Shifting... It's much easier than a sex change!

Hi guys,  hope you are all well and getting excited for your upcoming Italy Adventure! Today we wanted to talk with you about:  "Jet Lag".

Jet Lag is a real thing... and it affects everyone a little differently, but we can pretty much guarantee that the 6 hour time change WILL  affect you! (Italy is 6 hours ahead of us).  So if you're a night owl, and commonly up at midnight, that would be 6am in Italy!   

The big issue with jet lag is that it can make you feel really tired, and that of course can interfere with your enjoyment of your vacation... There's lots of things you can do to minimize jet lag... First and most obviously, is to be healthy, well hydrated & well rested before you travel... this alone will help you adjust more easily to the time difference.  If you want to get the very most out of your vacation, start getting more sleep now! 

make sure you you stay well hydrated on the plane

Trust us on this; If you do nothing before you leave, you'll likely suffer the effects of jet lag for the first one to three days of your vacation.  And that means you'll have to be really pushing yourself to wake-up, get going, keep up with your better prepared travel-mates and truly enjoy the day. The other thing that fatigue from jet lag can do is to lower your immunity and make you more susceptible to viruses like common colds, flu or even covid...

We're in the business of "showing you a great time" and that can be a little difficult to do if you're jet-lagged 6 hours... What we always suggest to our guests, is that to get the very most value out of your substantial travel investment, start getting a good night's sleep at least two weeks before you depart.  And since you're traveling East thru six time zones,  you'll want to consider getting used to going to bed a little earlier each night and getting up a little earlier each day to slowly adjust your "circadian rhythm".  

If you normally go to bed at 11pm and get up at 6am, consider going to bed 10 minutes earlier each night for 14 days, and getting up 10 minutes earlier each day. This will slowly adjust your circadian rhythm forward by almost 3 hours... And that alone will cut the effects of jet lag in half.  Drink a little more water than normal to get hydrated, and reduce caffeine after 10am so you can get to sleep earlier at night. (caffeine stays in your system at least 12 -14 hours).  When you get up in the morning expose yourself to bright light as early as possible, and in the evenings, slowly reduce your exposure to light. (even light from your tv, computer or cellphone).  These ideas aren't just theories, they're structured science that's been well proven for decades.

If you're into this, and want to have a better time on your vacation, we suggest downloading the "Timeshifter" app on your phone. It's by far the #1 Jet Leg app and it's seriously easy to use... It's FREE for your your first roundtrip, so why not try it out... Just go to your App Store, download Timeshifter, and put in your flight info... It sends you automatic notifications (for just 3 days before you departure) about when to go to bed, when to wake up, how much sunlight, and how much caffeine to get to "shift your circadian rhythm" to your new destination.  Here's the best part - It works! Check out this gal's testimonial below... and download it today!  It's easy, it's fun & it's FREE! It definitely works for us! We been using it for years...  

Rome in a Day!

 So we know some of you are flying into, or out of Rome... So continuing with a theme, we've got the same guy showing you what you can see in a day in Rome!  Just a reminder, we don't necessarily know or endorse this Tour agency, but we sure do like their videos!  

Once again, if you're staying in our recommended hotel in Rome, The Hotel Smeraldo, you are in the very center of everything this guy's gonna show you in this video... And it's all within walking distance...  that's why we LOVE the Smeraldo! It's the best hotel location in all of Rome, and a truly great value... While the rooms can be a little small, they're nice & clean, the staff is friendly,  and it's a 225 euro hotel in a 500 euro hotel neighborhood! (similar to the 225 Euro Hotel Pendini in Florence that sits on the Piazza della Republicca across the same piazza from The Savoy Hotel at 1500 Euro/night).  And their included Hot & Cold Breakfast Buffets are over the top!  We've been doing the Smeraldo for almost two decades! 

Hope you guys are getting excited about your trips!  You're going to Italy & you'll have a great time!

Buon Cibo... Buon Vino... Buon Amici...

The most famous Italian saying about Life & Happiness: 

Buon Cibo...  Buon Vino... Buon Amici...

(Good Food...   Good Wine... Good Friends...)

So as we do for all our Tours, at approximately 1 to 2 months out, we work on finalizing the menus for our upcoming Adventures to Tuscany Tours... And we're working on finalizing those menus right now! We always try to refine the menu and tweak it a little for each new tour, looking for special recipes, for new appetizers and entrees, and desserts... but trying to stay true to some of the classics...  We like to keep the menu truly authentic to the local cuisine without going overboard on the traditional Tuscan "game"  offerings...  We'll sometimes feature something like Fiori Di Zucca Fritti (fried stuffed zucchini blossoms) or Bistecca Fiorentina (a very special upscale Florentine Steak) but we tend to stay away from Tuscan favorites that can be off-putting to many Americans like Coniglio alla Toscana, braised rabbit,  Piccione Arrosto alla Salvia, sage stuffed roasted pigeon or Cinghiale the wild boar.  (If you like these more exotic offerings like I do, you'll have several opportunities to have them for lunch while you're out Touring - most restaurants have these offerings). For the most part, the meals you'll have will be slightly more well known and popular Italian offerings with a Mediterranean or Tuscan twist.  We think you'll enjoy the foods!

our Tuscan Hot & Cold Breakfast 

As you all know by now, our Chefs Angela & Giuseppe serve our Dinners at The Villa "family style..."   So we need to know of any Restrictive Food Allergies you may have... Also if you have specific dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, etc. we'll work with our chefs to try to accommodate you.  Please let us know as soon as possible as we will provide the information to our chefs along with the new menus... Please Email us if you have a restrictive food allergy: AdventuresToTuscany@gmail.com with the subject line: I'm medically allergic to:

Our Chefs Angela & Giuseppe

So as politely and respectfully as possible, let us restate that what we're asking about is Restrictive Food Allergies... and specific dietary requirements, not a list of least favorite foods...  

Again, we always try to make sure there's plenty of great foods and options,  and that no one goes hungry... and of course, most importantly, we want you to be medically & nutritionally safe, and have an outstanding culinary experience... 

Something to keep in mind is that in Tuscany, often the foods that are available, are very seasonal... It's not like here in the states where things are available year round... For example; if strawberries are out of season there, you'll rarely find them at all... 

 

They make an outrageous Lasagna 

Our Tuscan Breakfast Buffet typically has Juices, Waters, Teas, American Coffee, fresh cream, assorted Teas, Italian Espresso, Mimosas, granolas, nuts, seeds, milks, prunes, yogurts, assorted fresh seasonal fruits, assorted fresh seasonal sliced melons, figs, assorted fresh berries, a daily Cheese Board with assorted specialty hard & soft cheeses, Italian specialty meats such as Soppresata, Cappicolla, Salami Toscana, Prosciutto Cotto, and Prosciutto Crudo, scrambled eggs with cheese & pancetta, assorted breads, pastries, and a toasting station with assorted jams, preserves, honeys, etc.  Seating is open & casual, either in the Dining Room or outside on the Terrace...

Porcini Mushrooms are a specialty of Tuscany

And then our dinners at the Villa are always served Family Style at the table by our Chefs and are typical of Italian / Mediterranean Cuisine...  Angela usually passes appetizers at our Happy Hours outside on the Terrace...  and then at the table, (outside when possible) we'll serve Salads, and main courses that often include either  beef, poultry, fish, pork and pastas as well as assorted homemade desserts throughout the week... 

You'll see Angela & Giuseppe 
building their homemade Tiramisu

And of course the Wine, Prosecco  and Beer bar is open all day and throughout the evening until 11:00pm as per our itinerary. We'll also have soft drinks at the bar; sodas, juices, iced teas, etc. (and we'll always try to accommodate those that may be staying up later into the night with whatever they want... we just need to be sure everyone is in & safe).

OMG... wait till you have Angela's
homemade Pannacotta!

And lastly, there will always be a large, help yourself,  "Snack Basket" setting out in the kitchen in the evenings for those with late night munchies... Cashews, peanuts, almonds, cocktail nuts, pistachios, candies, chips, cookies, cakes, fruits, chocolates, etc...

(and everybody's favorite; Frutti di Bosco Gummies)   All kinds of great treats!  

Thanks so much,  T & T

The Energizer Bunny of Rock & Roll!  At almost 80 years old, he's still going at it!  

Maggie May - the song that him famous was a #1 hit all over the world, and is his

 homage to his first sexual encounter with an older woman when he was 17 years old...

How we craft unforgettable, impactful & truly memorable vacation adventures

Everyone takes vacations for different reasons, but when we ask guests what they hope to get from their Italy vacations, the top 3 things we hear are; 

• Make Memories
• Be Inspired
• Have Fun!

Travel isn't just about ticking destinations off a list. It's about forging connections, sparking emotions, and collecting experiences that linger long after you return home. Here at Adventures To Tuscany, we delve into the art of crafting impactful and memorable travel experiences, designed to leave you enriched, inspired and yearning for more.  To do this, we actually start with an outline:

• Make sure we have the right guests - talk with people in advance of the trip to make sure they understand and are comfortable with "the personality" of The Tour
• Give them the best & most thorough travel tips & resources to help them make good travel choices as they set about their planning & preparation (The Blog)
• Accessibility: make ourselves totally accessible from the very start. We try hard to let our guests know they can reach out to us at any time by email, text or phone with questions
• Tour Design: design all aspects of the Tour to give guests the most well rounded & balanced experience -  accommodations, amenities, dining, wine experiences, itineraries, guides, attractions, balance of time (scheduled vs leisure time),  immersive, experiential Tour & Leisure activities to give guests the most fun, memorable and impactful experience.
• Follow-up; reach out to guests to assist in any planning difficulties
• Confirm readiness:  we try hard to make sure our guests are prepared and know all the who's, what's, when's, where's, how's & why's...

Unearthing Your Travel Persona

What ignites this wanderlust? Some of our guests are history buffs seeking ancient ruins, while other slightly more adventurous souls crave adrenaline-pumping activities.... We try to carefully describe our Expeditions to make sure our guests understand that Adventures To Tuscany is very different from your typical Italian Tour Operator. We'll show you the sites & the history, but we'll make sure you experience a little adventure along the way! We say: Truly unique, authentic & immersive, escorted & guided, experiential adventure expeditions! 

We realize there are all different kinds of travelers... Some thrive on meticulous planning, while others prefer a more spontaneous approach...  Knowing your travel style ensures a journey that aligns with your personality and avoids unnecessary stress. We try to remove all the stress of planning your time with us in Tuscany... Our curated itinerary & daily activities starting from prepared Breakfasts, the whole way through the sight-seeing & touring activities of the day,  to our Happy Hour Parties, Dinner parties and nighttime festivities and late night snacks, ensure that you're not spending your time trying to figure out what to do & where to go... you won't have to be sitting at breakfast reading guidebooks... searching endlessly... 

Going Beyond the Guidebook

Guidebooks offer a solid foundation... But venturing beyond their well-trodden paths unlocks a world of unique experiences! We work hard to get you off the beaten path! And it won't take you long to realize that!  

It starts with our experience... We've been doing this a long time, and we'll take you places no Tour Bus has ever ventured!  We of course want you to see Italy, but we want you to see & experience the real Italy... And experiencing the real Italy, starts right here on The Blog...  To make your experience a positive one, we spend months spoon-feeding you little tips and giving you the resources to hopefully smooth out any wrinkles that you're likely going to be exposed to with international travel to foreign lands whose culture is completely different than what you may be used to...  In our experience, our guests (those who follow our Blog postings) know a lot more about Italy before they leave, than most vacationers know when they return. But this is just the beginning of how we make our Expeditions memorable!

 A True Villa Experience

We've all heard someone make this comment about their hotel choice:  "It doesn't matter where we stay, we're only going there to sleep..."  Don't believe this... It does matter where you stay!  Be inspired with your accommodations!  We search endlessly to find the right Villas for our Tours!  

This is an authentic & historic Tuscan Villa... and you'll feel this authenticity the moment you walk through the doors... Things will be a little different than what you're probably used to here in the United States... Things like the dryer in the laundry room will need to be "emptied".  (most European dryers are extractors; that is they spin at a very high speed to extract & collect the water). And while all of the double ensuite bedrooms have air-conditioning, they typically don't have as high of efficiency as many US guests are accustomed to...  The toilets in many of your bathrooms will have a "pump plunger button" that you may have to pump a couple times depending on the amount of "flush" you desire... If you're 6 feet tall or over, you'll find that you'll often need to duck going through some doorways...  While differences like this may seem odd, they're actually quite the norm throughout Italy... 

We'll introduce you to and help you to embrace locals – shopkeepers, restaurateurs, tour guides., etc... These are our local friends that we've made here over the decades, and we encourage you to be open to them, and introduce yourself... Our local Tuscan friends are some of the friendliest people in the world and they love meeting our guests! These conversations can lead to unexpected discoveries and new perspectives.

Stepping Off the Tourist Trail

Tourist hotspots offer a glimpse into a destination, but venturing beyond them unlocks a world of authenticity.  Getting off the Tour Bus: We'll explore alternative villages: Each has its own character. Our "Road Rally" style of exploring & discovering the real Tuscany allows you the freedom & independence to interact with locals, observe & engage with everyday life, and discover hidden gems along the way.  We'll introduce you to and help you to embrace locals – shopkeepers, restaurateurs, tour guides., etc... These are our local friends that we've made here over the decades, and we encourage you to be open to them, and introduce yourself... Our local Tuscan friends are some of the friendliest people in the world and they love meeting our guests! These conversations can lead to unexpected discoveries and new perspectives.

If you've followed along here on The Blog, you know we've encouraged you to learn at least 200 words of Italian... This small effort fosters connection with locals, enhances your experience, and demonstrates your respect for the culture... You don't have to be fluent, but if you smile, start every interaction with "Buongiorno" , and end with "Grazie" you'll fit in just a little bit better, and they'll respect you for it!

Engage All Your Senses

Travel isn't just a visual feast.  It's a multi-sensory experience that creates lasting memories.  Indulge in the local cuisine: Food is a window into a culture.  Be a little more daring... Try something you've never had before... Tuscany has lots of specialities that you've probably never had before... Sample street food, explore local markets... Savor the unique flavors and textures that tell the story of the place. You will be surrounded by new foods and smells and we certainly urge you to open your mind to trying them... Maybe it's the  Lampredotto sandwich (4th stomach of the cow),  the Lardo di Colonnata (spiced pork lard cured in marble) or of course in Tuscany, Cinghiale (the Wild Boar),  Coniglia (rabbit) and Picciona (pigeon) and one of my favorites; Polpo alla Griglia (grilled octopus). And of course there's so many incredible specialty cheeses & meats in Tuscany! 

Embrace the Sounds: Immerse yourself in the soundscape. Street musicians, bustling markets, and the rhythm of nature all contribute to Tuscany's unique character. If you're up early in the morning, grab your coffee, go outside and listen for the Cuckoo birds... Yes, Cuckoo birds!  The first time I heard them, I thought someone was playing a joke on me...

Embrace the Scents: The smell of freshly baked bread from a local bakery, the aroma of spices in a market, or the crisp mountain air – these scents transport you and create vivid memories.

Embrace the Unexpected

Some of the most impactful moments during travel are unplanned.  Leave room for spontaneity and embrace the unexpected... You're bound to get lost at some point... Don't get frustrated, take a breath, look around and realize that it's part of the adventure; there's something to explore on every corner! 

 Embrace the Flow: Travel plans can change due to weather, transportation delays, or unforeseen circumstances. Be flexible, adapt with a positive attitude, and see these changes as potential for new adventures...

Strike Up Conversations: Chat with locals, fellow travelers, or even strangers on a park bench.  There's  tons of possibilities to nurture your soul by sincere interaction with the local people... Take the time to realize that even interaction with someone like the Customs officials or the attendant at the rental car facility, offers opportunities to bond as citizens of the world...

Follow Your Curiosity: Let a quirky shop window or a hidden alleyway pique your interest. Sometimes the most rewarding experiences are found by straying from the planned path.

Document Your Journey – But Be Present

Capture your journey through photographs, journaling, or even sketches.  However, remember that the most impactful memories are often those etched in your mind.  Take some time to be truly present, disconnect from technology, and soak in the experience with all your senses. While we tend to focus on the visuals, there's often so much more... Close your eyes & listen to and focus on the background sounds of your surroundings... And take just a moment to focus on the fragrances in the air... 

These super special experiential moments come only to those who take the time to look for them...  So by all means, - pause, take a breath, and take the time to look for them!  Our Tours are very different... They're specifically designed to deeply immerse you into the magic of the local culture... And because of our extremely small groups, you'll have lots of these opportunities...  Know that the Tuscan people are very, very friendly... We'll be introducing you to a lot of our local friends... Start a conversation... ask polite questions... give compliments... ask for advice... Show them pictures of your children, and ask to see theirs!  Ask a waiter to recommend something new, something unlike what you'd normally try... How's the pigeon today? You'll have the rest of your life to have a Reuben Sandwich... So today, maybe try the rabbit!  Ask for a picture together...    Smile... look them in the eye and sincerely thank them for their help... It takes only a moment to form a new relationship, but it rarely happens without "intention".  One of the most successful methods of creating these new international relationships is to ask this simple question; "are you on FaceBook?" And if you can form that magic bond like so many of our guests have done, it will pay dividends for the rest of your life!  Now go out there and get ready... We're gonna make some amazing memories!

One of the greatest songs ever written... At the top of the charts for record breaking time...

Originally written for the soundtrack to the movie "City of Angels"

this song made the Goo Goo Dolls famous!

here,  being sung live in the rain

Florence in a Day...

 We don't know, or necessarily recommend this tour agency, but we do like the energy in their videos... If  you're spending a day or two in Florence before or after The Villa, and especially if you're staying at or near our recommended Hotel Pendini on Piazza della Republicca, you'll be in the very middle of everything he's showing you in this video... and Piazza della Republicca itself is a happening place as you'll experience! The Pendini is just a 2 minute walk from The Duomo and perhaps 4 minutes to The Ponte Vecchio... It's what we think is the very best hotel location in all of Florence.  If you're not staying in Florence, but thinking of heading to Florence for the day on Wednesday (the free day), we always suggest driving over to Montevarchi and catching the train up to Florence from there (about 40 minutes).  But know that if you're going to do this, we suggest getting up really early to make the most of the day... Florence is a big city, and it will take some time to get there, orient yourself and start getting around... 

If you're not sure of what you want to see, you might consider signing up with a scheduled Tour or private Tour Guide...  or just make copious written notes from this video and create your own walking tour plan on your phone's map program to do your own tour! Although if you want to get into places like the Uffizzi Museum,  or the Academmia, we recommended you buy tix (reserved entry time tix) as far in advance as possible on their website... If you don't have reserved entry time tix, you can end up in unbearable lines that take 3 to 4 hours! (trust us - we stood in those lines 30 years ago and learned very quickly!)

We're almost there! But first, we need just a couple things from you!

 Well, good morning campers, and happy Sunday!  So the countdown is on, and we're now down to just a little over a month from when we're meeting at the Villa in Tuscany...   and we know some of you are planning on heading over a few days early to Tour other areas of Italy before coming to the Villa, so we wanted to give you a little info for your arrival...

I'm not really that old...
I doctored it so that I could buy beer! 😂

First:  As the Tour Operator you've contracted with for OIGT (Organized International Group Travel), the legal and regulatory agencies both here in the USA & Italy require that we have your passport on file, and that for safety and emergency purposes, we have what they call a summary awareness of your whereabouts while you're traveling outside of the US on this trip...  And the Villa Management & local Carabinieri (police) in Radda-in-Chianti, (where the Villa resides) require we give them a copy of your Passport. (the same as any tour agency, cruise line or hotel does).

With this in mind, we need you to please email us:

* A copy of your Passport Photo page (an in focus cell phone pic is fine or you can photocopy and mail it to us) 
* The Cell Phone #  you'll be using in Italy
* OutBound Airline, Flight #  & Date of departure from the US

* Estimated time of arrival to the Villa on Saturday 
* Return Flight departure city, date, airline & flight #

* emergency contact/phone# in the U.S.

Please email this info to us @:  AdventuresToTuscany@gmail.com  with the subject line: "last name passport". (for example: harpster passport)

Could you please email this info to us at your earliest convenience. 

You should plan on arriving at the Villa between 4pm - 6pm on Saturday.  Just a reminder: You won't be able to come to the Villa before 4pm on Saturday, as we'll have a full cleaning staff on site all day, and they won't allow us to open the security gates before 4pm... so as you plan your arrival day, please keep that in mind... No matter how many times we tell everyone this, someone says to themselves; oh, let's just go a little bit early and walk around... Please don't be this person. It has never in 24 years worked out well... There are two electronic security gates to go thru to get up to the Villa, and they will not let you thru them before 4pm... and this will lead to you getting upset at us, and we unfortunately can not control this...   If you find yourself in the area early, we suggest you stop in at a cafe in one of the beautiful, quaint & charming little hilltowns for a nice relaxing glass of wine... and do what the Italians do - some people watching, or perhaps have a little charcuterie... If you feel there's an urgent situation or some type of emergency & you think we can help - by all means, please call us: 610-657-7894

Know that we'll be there getting ready for your arrival and we'll be welcoming you with open arms and we'll have ice cold Prosecco waiting for you...  And it is Tuscany, so of course we'll have a nice platter of Italian specialty meats, cheeses, olives, etc to welcome you to the Villa!   As well as chilled refreshments including ice cold beers, sodas, and waters...  And of course we'll have the ultimate Tuscan Wine Bar open and waiting for you!

After we get each of you checked into your rooms, we'll give you a little time to relax, and freshen up, and then we'll get together at around 6:00 PM for a little casual Orientation to The Expedition & the Estate.  We'll have a little Happy Hour - and we'll take you on a short walk around The Villa and the property to familiarize you with the Estate before Dinner.  And Angela & Giuseppe will likely serve dinner around 7:30ish. 

So here is the address & phone numbers:
Address: Villa Marangole, Localita' Podere Marangole  1,  Radda-in-Chianti, Si 53017,  Italy

Tommy's cell # 610-657-7894

Terese's   cell # 484-410-1481

(you might want to put these addresses and phone #s into your phone's contact list now)

Once we receive your Passport & Flight Information requested above, we will send you out a little packet with your Tour Voucher and a detailed map with the Villa marked on it and a handful of our Adventures to Tuscany luggage tags...  and the password to be used at the security gate.  

Note: This map is not a map of Italy or even all of Tuscany, it is a very specialized large-scale map showing precise details of the immediate Chianti Classico area around the Villa... and we will include very specific turn by turn directions for the 2.7 miles from Radda-in-Chianti to The Villa. It's not that it's difficult, but it is rural and the turn by turn directions, if followed exactly will get you right to The Villa very easily.

So that's all for now... we're looking forward to meeting up with all of you in Tuscany! It's just a couple weeks away now! 

Please email us the info requested above at your earliest convenience... (AdventuresToTuscany@gmail.com). With the subject line: name passport 

Thanks so much,

T & T

Give your heart and soul to me,

And life will always be,

La Vie en Rose...

May you always have love in your life,

and may you always see the sweetness of life thru rose colored glasses...

Once you spend a week Under The Tuscan Sun, it'll be in your blood forever!

double click on this pic to enlarge

 Historically here in the United States, most of our towns originally started in the valleys near the rivers as we used the rivers to transport goods... But in Tuscany many of these "hilltowns" were founded on the hilltops over 1000 years ago... they did this for protection as there were a lot of wars; they built the villages on the hilltops so that they could see approaching enemies and surrounded it with massive stone walls...  It just kind of takes your breath away! 

So here's a typical hilltown in Chianti...  Here in this picture, you'll see the little hamlet of Volpaia (vul-pie-ah) in the foreground...  it is one of the closest little villages to the Villa... maybe a mile away "the way the crow flys..."   Or maybe i should say "the way the coo-koo bird flys..."  If you've never really heard a cuckoo bird, you're in for a treat... You'll probably wake up to their songs early in the morning at the Villa!  The vineyards and magical forests between Radda & Volpaia seem to be home to lots & lots of Cuckoo birds!

Much like Castello di Albola, the hillsides of the village of Volpaia are completely surrounded by vineyards and the whole village is dedicated to the production of the world class Castello di Volpaia Wines.  We'll have them on our wine bar at the Villa.   

Volpaia sits at approximately the same exact elevation (+/- 2000 ft) as the Villa , so you get an idea of the views from the Villa out over most all of Chianti... Volpaia was built in the 11th century as a fortified village on the Florence-Siena border.  Unlike Brolio, Meleto and other Chianti-area castles, Volpaia is a terra murata, a walled village. 

Although only part of the original protective walls and two of its six towers are still standing, the medieval layout and buildings within the village are still intact, making Volpaia one of the best-preserved villages of its period.  The first document that mentions the cultivation of vines in Volpaia dates back to 1172. In 1250, Volpaia was a founding member of the Lega del Chianti (Chianti League). The Florentine Republic formed the Lega by dividing its communities into three districts, Castellina, Radda and Giaole, allotting each a certain amount of territory. Volpaia was included in the League's Terziere di Radda. The territories were front-line garrison towns for Florence in the Florentine-Sienese wars. The emblem for the Chianti League was the Gallo Nero or Black Rooster — the current trademark for Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico.  This is indeed The Old World!

this will be you... setting on the terrace
at the Villa... having a glass of wine which 
comes from grapes grown all around you...
and you'll see Radda-in-Chianti setting out
there just like it is in this poster!

The Castello di Volpaia's logo features the coat of arms from the illustrious della Volpaia family, who lived in the village and took its name from the town itself. Lorenzo della Volpaia (1446–1512), an architect, goldsmith, mathematician and clockmaker, founded a Florentine dynasty of clockmakers and scientific-instrument makers that included his sons, Camillo, Benvenuto and Eufrosino, and nephew Girolamo. As clockmaker, he gained fame and honor with the construction of the Orologio dei Pianeti (Planetary Clock) in 1510. Lorenzo also built the clock at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. He was a friend of Leonardo da Vinci and often gave him advice on technical problems; Lorenzo even took part in the discussions on the placement of Michelangelo’s David. The della Volpaia family instruments are on display at the Science Museums in Florence and Greenwich, United Kingdom, the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

If you look way out in the photo at the top of this post, just to the upper left, that's the Village of Radda-in-Chianti in the distant background at about 10 o'clock!  Radda-in-Chianti is what we like to call our "home-base" village... So from this perspective, our Villa (not visible in this pic) would sit just to the left of Volpaia one ridge over in the Chianti Hills equal distance between Radda & Volpaia and our Villa has views out over both of these villages... 

Often times, in the early morning when you come out to have your coffee on the Terrace, there will still be fog in the valleys, and you'll see these same hilltops and villages (in the photo) poking out thru the fog...  It's a post card view and it takes your breath away!

You'll be in The Bullseye!

What you can't see in this picture are the handful of other hilltowns on those far out ridges that you'll be able to see from the Terrace at the Villa... and what is truly spectacular, is seeing their lights in the distance at nighttime!   The Castello di Albola Estate basically sets in the very middle of the Chianti Classico, surrounded by so many of the famous Tuscan Hilltowns including Castellina-in-Chianti, Gaiole-in-Chianti, Greve, San Gimignano, Volterra, Florence, Panzano, Volpaia, Monteriggioni, Siena, Montefioralle, San Casciano, etc... the list goes on and on...

You will not be in some fringe area of Tuscany... We sought this area out decades ago; this is indeed The Bullseye... The very center of The Chianti Classico, in the very center of Chianti, in the very center of Tuscany!  This trip is gonna be spectacular, the views are gonna be amazing and you're gonna fall in love with Tuscany! 💓 You'll be seeing for yourself firsthand in just a few short weeks! 

here in this video you'll see Fabrizio, a local wine-shop & restaurant owner (Bar Dante) in Radda-in-Chianti (our home-base village) walking you around the Village and giving you a little history on why Radda is such an important village...  Radda is a small, quaint & totally charming medieval walled Tuscan Village... It is truly a town with a Butcher, a Baker, and a Candlestick maker!  You'll find yourself here over & over during your week with us in Tuscany! We think you'll fall in love with it just as we have!

So what do you guys actually do?

 We hope you are enjoying reading The Blog - your personal Adventures to Tuscany Travel Guide... and we certainly hope you find it helpful... We personally write it,  & it's designed to be a customized resource to educate you about your trip to Italy... to help you feel much more confident, and ultimately enhance your vacation experience both while you're with us in Tuscany, and while you may be visiting other destinations before or after Tuscany!  We're big believers in the philosophy of the more we can prepare you for your European travel experience, the more you will enjoy it! And The Blog increases your vacation experience from a week or two to almost a full year!

At Adventures to Tuscany... the real Italian Villa experience, we always tell you that our goal is to totally exceed your expectations in every possible way. 
We're honored & proud of our 58% return rate; almost double the national average... and 28% of our Alumni have taken at least 3 of our Tours.  We have some guests who are on their 9th Tour with us over our 24 years.

Some of our friends that have never traveled with us think our business is glamorous, and think that all we do is vacation in Italy & France and take a few people with us... They sometimes ask us: What is it that you guys actually do?  

So we are indeed a legally registered business corporation and a licensed Tour Operator that, like many other businesses, goes to work everyday,  hires people, pays salaries...  and pays taxes, both here & in both Italy and France.  We're a proud dues paying Member of The NTA (The National Tour Association), and have to continually invest to meet their strict standards. 

We also make significant investments annually in on-going Marketing, Paid Digital Advertising, Printing, Office Space, Computers & Office Equipment, Tour Operators Insurance, Accounting Services,  Legal Services, Travel Insurance, Audio equipment, Kitchen equipment,Website design, maintenance, and hosting, among other things... 

And our ongoing research to acquire the best Villas for the peak dates,  and design the best itineraries require a substantial forward investment in both time & finances for international travel and accommodations outside of our Tour dates; in between taking our Tour Groups over to Europe, we often go on substantial research trips to constantly work on refining our Tours...  These investments over more than two decades are what has enabled us to provide these truly unique, authentic & immersive, escorted & guided experiential adventure expeditions...

Our Chefs Angela & Giuseppe

Our work on your Tour began decades ago... when we first researched various regions of Italy with the idea of starting our Expedition Tour Business... When we decided on Tuscany, we spent years scouring the region to find the best Villages and the best Villas to host our unique expeditions... as well as Chefs, Tour 

Guides, Musicians, Wineries, etc...  And it won't be over until we wave goodbye to you as drive down that long driveway on your last day, and we meet with our entire team for our Tour Wrap-Up meeting!

In between, we make arrangements and contract dates for the on-going leasing of our Villas...   maintain relationships so we can arrange & contract for our Chefs... secure dates, make arrangements and design menus for our various Winery Tours and Luncheons... Curate & confirm daily tour itineraries, reserve dates and arrange walking city tour itineraries with our local licensed Tour Guides...  We work with our Chefs on daily breakfast, lunch and dinner party menus... generate grocery shopping & household provisions lists.. and go shopping!  We work with our sommeliers in Tuscany on securing the best wines, proseccos and beers for our open wine & beer bars...

Our daily hot & cold Breakfast Buffet

We scout to find Bands, and secure dates for our Festival del Bianco Parties... Order and ship the various provisions and decorations for the Villa... and arrange permitting, licensing, passport controls and tax provisions for guest's entry and Tourism residency.  The list actually goes on & on, but can get a little boring when we tell you things like we actually have to arrange and contract for the individual soaps & shampoos in your bathrooms, as well as securing and contracting for things like bed and bath linens,  pool towels, laundry soaps, ice and even firewood. We even actually have to arrange for contracts for our "electric power" usage for our stays... 

You'll love our Festival del Bianco Celebration
in the Vineyards, Under The Tuscan Stars!

Those are the more boring and tedious types of things on our checklist.  But on the list of things we enjoy doing the most, is writing these posts in our Travel Blog, and bringing you the Travel Resources & Tools to help make your trip truly spectacular!  From helping guests to plan their personal pre & post itineraries and flights, securing travel insurance, and car rentals... prepping for credit & debit cards... finding cell phone plans... planning for currency exchange... To the multitudes of tiny little bits of cultural advice that we write about to hopefully make your trip go just a little more smoothly... 

But we're not just Travel Tour Designers & Marketeers that farm out our Tours to white label operators... Our Adventures to Tuscany Expeditions are 100% researched, designed and marketed exclusively by us, and we personally escort & host each and every one of our Tours!  We're very hands-on operators with our Expeditions; and if you're an early riser, you'll see us up as early as 5:30am doing everything from making coffee and cutting melons,  to cooking eggs & pancetta for the Breakfast Buffet... Our Chefs Angela and Giuseppe put in long days at the Villa till usually around 10pm in the evening, so Terese & I actually prepare the Breakfast Buffets! 

As a really small, boutique operator in a really big marketplace, our success over the years has depended on providing you with the very best travel experience you've ever had... And doing it all for a better value!  Our hope is that you are impressed enough to tell your family & friends... and as our operation is growing, we hope, like so many of our Alumni, you'll consider traveling with us again, either back to Tuscany, or to our other destination - Provence in The South of France...  

if you're interested in Provence in The South of
France for 2026, now's the time to get on the
wait list... these tours always sell out!

We  actually just came back from France two weeks ago... Our two 2024 Beautiful Villages of Provence Tours ~ A Château in The South of France were sold out, as are our two 2025 Provence Expeditions, and we've already had guests signing up for  our June 2026 Provence Tour! This trip is limited to just 14 guests, so if you're interested, be sure to let us know... While this date is not yet 100% confirmed as we're awaiting the signed Villa Lease, these Tours have a habit of selling out very quickly once the date is confirmed... So getting on the waiting list  gives you first right of refusal in the order in which the request is received (based on availability, of course). Also we remind you, you'll have Alumni Discounts!

Alumni Discounts???  What Alumni Discounts? Our Alumni Discount Program offers guests a $75 per person cumulative discount* for every tour you've taken with us... And once you've traveled with us, we also offer a $100 Referral Discount on a future trip for every room booked by new guests you refer!  And then we have our "Rave Reviews by Real People" Discount! Write a short testimonial review for our website within 30 days of your return and receive even another $50 discount credit on your next trip! 

Again, Thank You for entrusting your precious vacation time to us!  We are very grateful! And all of our Alumni Discount Programs are just one of the ways we say Thank You! As always, we will do our very best to make sure you have an outstanding adventure!    As you read this, we are actively working on finalizing all the above mentioned details for your personal Tuscany Tour in just a few short weeks!

So get excited guys!  We're almost there! And, as always, if we can improve your experience in any way, please let us know. 

See you in Tuscany,
Tommy & Terese
Adventures to Tuscany ~ the real Italian Villa experience!

* all of our alumni discount programs are capped at $500 per person per trip ($1000 per couple), But you do get the Alumni Discounts on every trip you take! ie: you don't start over once you use them ~ you get the accumulated discounts on every trip and they just keep growing! 

So what kind of clothes should I pack?

  With your trip to Tuscany coming up in less than two months, a lot of you are starting to think about clothes and packing...  And of course the big questions are always "What's the weather gonna be like while we're there?  What does everybody wear? And do we need anything dressy?

So here's the lowdown on the weather;  long time historical averages for   early to mid September in Tuscany are average high temps of around 82 - 84 degrees F in the mid afternoons...  and average low temps (overnight) of  about 59 - 61 degrees F...   But keep in mind, while these temps can give us a good guideline,  these are the average highs and lows of the day, and as we all know, historical averages can vary dramatically from actual temps we'll experience on any given day... (Think about it; one day with a high of 69 and another day with a high of 95, gives you an average of 82...)  but after 24 years of running these Tours to Tuscany, we can tell you, these averages are pretty much right on!

So with afternoon highs (typically) running around 83 degrees in early September, you certainly want to bring at least some lightweight summer clothing... And of course, your swimming suits!   But keep in mind, the temps listed above are the highs and lows of the day...  And the week you're at the Villa is actually going to be getting close to the beginning of Fall...

a bunch of our Tour Guests enjoying the Terrace 
at The Villa - this is typical of the style of clothes
we often see our guests in...

Early September has become a prime time for vacationing in Tuscany, as many folks try to avoid the high summer heats and those oh so famous European heat waves that often occur in July and early August... This is why we don't have Tours here in July and early August!  And with all that being said, keep in mind,  it will be September and just like at home in the US, those temps could just as easily be well above, or below average...  September is a transitional season... we'll be touring all day, and you'll likely be outside a lot more then you normally are at home... 

We suggest you bring at least one lightweight summer sweater and perhaps a light windbreaker or rain jacket for a cooler day or our evenings out on the Terrace...  Another thing to keep in mind is that in early September, sunset in Italy happens around 7:45 pm! And with that, we tend to spend a lot of time outside at the Villa in the late afternoons and into the evenings. In fact, the picture above is a late afternoon/early evening shot of some of the folks from one of our Tour groups in early September and you'll notice most everyone in shorts... 

a couple of our guests sneaking a snack
in the Vineyards at one of the Wine Estates 

So, do we bring shorts,  pants,  jeans,  sport jackets, sun dresses, neckties?  Should I bring high heels? What should we bring?
We always tell our guests to dress in whatever you're most comfortable in... There is no dress code! Our Tours, the places we go, and the overall itinerary is very casual... We repeat: Very Casual... There is no need to "dress-up" unless you want to...  I tend to wear a lot of light-weight khakis / jeans, sneakers, polo shirts & T-shirts during the week. But if we hit a hot spell, you can bet I'll be wearing shorts & T-shirts! Terese wears a lot of casual sun dresses, skirts, capris, jeans & leggings.

 If it's important to you to "fit-in" or look Italian, know that the average Italian dresses up just a little more then the average American on vacation...  and of course more so in the bigger cities like Florence, Milan and Rome... But you're on vacation and you should dress in whatever makes you comfortable... One thing we can assure you of is that you won't catch us personally, in sport jackets, dress slacks or dress shoes! We dress casually to be comfortable...

The Duomo in Siena - This place is amazing... Your 
Adventures to Tuscany Tour includes the Admission Tix
& Tour...  our Tour guide Stella will be taking us thru...

If you enjoy touring the big Duomos, know that most of the bigger famous cathedrals in Italy have dress codes that prohibit "short shorts" or bare shoulders... The rule has always been "knees and shoulders need to be covered".   This isn't enforced as much in the smaller churches as they don't have the man power to police it, but in the bigger Cathedrals, they'll certainly stop you if you're wearing short-shorts, a tank top, or a sleeveless tube top!  The big Cathedrals in Florence, Rome, Milan & Siena are major tourist attractions and most still adhere to the knees & shoulders rule for both men and women... Sometimes they'll have paper robes they'll ask you to wear if you're not dressed properly, but if they're out of them, they'll just refuse your entry... Lots of women who prefer to wear shorter shorts and skimpier tops  when it's hot, carry large lightweight scarfs in their daypacks to wrap around their shoulders or waists to be able to enter the Duomos...

While it's more rare to see Italian men in shorts, our guys should feel comfortable wearing shorts, jeans or khakis... Many women vacationing in Italy wear casual pants, leggings, capris, shorts or casual sun dresses...  And over the years, some of the gals have worn casual summer dress for our Alfresco Luncheons at the Wine Estates... And lastly, at the Villa, the atmosphere is very casual...  It's just us... t-shirts, swimming suits and bare feet are totally acceptable... 

With our Tour Guide Stella in San Gimignano 

And then there's "footwear..."   We always say wear whatever you're comfortable in!  But remember we will be doing a fair amount of walking during the daytime...  sometimes miles, and often up & down hills within villages... especially during our Tours of Siena and San Gimignano... and of course, a lot of the streets you'll be walking on will be cobblestones!  So  we suggest comfortable walking shoes for touring! You'll see Terese & I wearing sneakers / sport sandals most days...

While early September is one of the least rainy times of the year in Tuscany, we have experienced a rainy day a couple of times over the last 24 years...  so  Terese & I each also always have a tiny travel umbrella tucked away in our daypacks as well as a super lightweight rain jacket and hat... (we suggest you do too)  You don't want the rare possibility of a rainy day to spoil your vacation fun!  An inexpensive travel umbrella can be found at Amazon or Walmart for as little as $5...

PS: when you're packing, don't forget to bring something white along for Festival del Bianco! (The White Party) Trust us, You'll have FUN!!!

Originally recorded back in 1966... Almost 60 years ago! At the time, it was the most expensive single ever recorded as Brain Wilson scheduled 4 different recording sessions in different cities and locations so he could hire bunches of different session musicians... Ultimately it all paid off as Good Vibrations became an instant hit and is considered by the industry to be one the hundred greatest songs of all time!