Don't forget the password!

 So here we are, it's Monday, August 12th... We're just a few weeks out from when the very first of you will soon be departing for Italy!  Hope you are all well, and excited about Italy! If not, you better check for a pulse!  

Terese & I are leave for Tuscany in just 3 weeks (Sept 3).. heading over to Radda-in-Chianti early to prepare for your Tours...

Just a few quick reminders: 

If your car rental provider sent you a Voucher, do not forget it! They're very picky about this issue!

We suggest that you list anyone that might drive the rental car on the contract at the rental counter... Yes it will cost additional, but you won't be covered by the insurance if they're driving and have a fender bender unless they're listed...

Also we remind you that to drive in Italy, you need an International Drivers License... These are simple to get at most AAA offices. For more details on this: Click here

Remember to bring the Chianti Map that we sent to you, it will definitely help you as you travel around the roads close to the Villa...  and of course to help you find the Villa!  Again, we caution you to be super careful on the roads in the region... they're much more narrow and windy than you are probably used to... 

click on the map to enlarge

This being said, be very careful to watch for bicyclists in the area... Bicyclists from all over the world come to vacation in Chianti and ride these roads... You'll typically find them in groups of 10 -16 bikers riding together, but often spread out over several hundred meters...  Understand that they have the right of way, so you can't just immediately pull out to go around them... stay patiently behind and make sure you have enough room to safely pass... The roads are very curvy, so it's not always easy to see ahead... Often times, a very experienced Bike Group Tour Leader will be at the back of the group riding the middle of the road, and gradually glide over to the right to signal you that the road ahead is clear. When you pass them, don't just casually skirt them: pull the whole way out into the other lane so as not to push them off the road.  Again, and we can't say this enough; please be careful...  You're in Tuscany... relax and enjoy the views; there's no need to be in a hurry...

Also know that "local drivers" in the area will often ride right on your bumper... and we do mean right on your bumper!  And they'll pass you at their first opportunity.  This is "Italian Machismo".  It's is normal and happens often... If it makes you nervous, the best thing to do, is just find a spot to pull over and let them pass... We strongly advise against the temptation to "hit your brakes to teach them a lesson".  In Italy, that strategy never ends well.

This is what you're looking for!

This is the address for Villa Marangole: 

Localita' Podere Marangole  1,  

Radda-in-Chianti, Si 53017,  Italy

If your GPS doesn't recognize the above address, we suggest just set it for Radda-in-Chianti.  No matter if you're coming from the north or the south, the easiest way to get to the Villa the very first time, is thru the village of Radda.

We suggest you just set the GPS for the town of Radda-in-Chianti, and when you get there, follow these detailed turn-by-turn directions... The Villa is just 5 minutes from Radda.

this will be the view you'll see from the road

From Radda, just continue heading east on SR 429... Stay on SR429 for approx 1.3 km (3/4 mile) after leaving Radda... You'll cross a tiny bridge... (be careful, this is a ONE LANE BRIDGE & it is very narrow) and you'll want to immediately on the far side of this bridge turn left onto SP 72...  There will immediately be another fork in the road, stay to the left on SP72 and head up the hill for approx 3 more km...

Be very careful as this road is narrow and very windy... (remember, there's bicyclists everywhere)  As you're getting close (about 3.5 kilometers out of Radda), you'll go over a knoll with a sharp right bend, look over into the vineyards on the hills to your left, you can't miss seeing Villa Marangole... There are often people pulled off the road at the bottom of the hill taking pictures of the Villa.   You'll cross a tiny bridge and immediately see a green dumpster on the left...  Just after the dumpster is a gated dirt / gravel driveway off to your left... You'll see a pale yellow sign to the left of the driveway: Castello D' Albola / Villa Marangole  (see picture above). We will also have one of our  Adventures to Tuscany banners attached to the gate. (just like in the picture). 

This is an electronic security gate... You'll have to pull up to the gate and push the buzzer on the post to the right... Stay back at least 20 feet, as the gate will open toward you. When they answer the buzzer, You'll have to give them the password, which is "gatto puzzolente"  (gat-toe pu-zoe-lent-tay) and then they'll open the gate from the Villa... (and there's actually another electronic security gate as you get closer to the Villa.)  If you're driving a standard transmission car, don't pause as you head up the gravel driveway... it's a little steep and your tires will spin... If you're behind another car, be careful to stay back far enough...  Spinning tires can kick up stones into your windshield... once the gate opens, just keep going! Pausing will again cause your tires to spin!  We'll be waiting for you at the top! 

Just two quick reminders:

1. 4:00pm is the earliest you can come to The Villa on Saturday
2. please make sure you've got a full tank of gas in your car for the start of the Tour!

The Villa is actually pretty easy to find... This is a prominent Wine Estate, and everyone around the village of Radda knows Castello D'Albola, and also the Villa...  Just show them the picture above...

Should you have any problems at all, here are cell phone #'s:

Tommy: 610-657-7894
Terese:   484-410-1481

This is gonna be a really fun adventure! 
As always, should you have questions or problems, just call us!