I am planning a trip to Tuscany the first week in September 2014 and am looking for information on all sorts of topics. Here is some background information followed by specific inquiries:
When: Saturday 30 August through Saturday 6 September
Travelers: I will be vacationing with a group of 8 people total, including myself and my husband (both 30 years old), my parents (mid 50's), friends of my parents (also mid 50's), their daughter (22) and a friend of their daughter.
Accommodations: We would like to rent a private villa in Tuscany for the entire week to serve as our home base. Accommodations to include at least 4 bedrooms, as many bathrooms as possible (ideally 4 but no less than 3) and a pool. Would also like air conditioning, wifi (a must), full kitchen, washer/dryer, etc.
Aside from the above, we do not have anything else set in stone. We are all wine lovers and would be spending much of our time traveling to and touring different wineries. In addition, we would like to do at least a day trip to Florence as well as other recommended cities (excluding Rome, as we have already visited there on a previous trip).
As far as where to stay in Tuscany, we are open to recommendations but have initially been looking at villas in the Siena/Montelcino area.
I'd appreciate any insight you can offer on this, and also have the following specific inquiries:
1. Weather - Is air conditioning a must this time of year?
2. Location - is the Siena/Montelcino area a good location to stay in? Is it a good, central location with access to visiting recommended wineries and cities?
3. Wineries/Cities to visit - any recommendations would be greatly appreciate. With a group of 8, should we be making advance reservations for each winery we'd like to go to?
4. Transportation - We are interested in hiring a driver for this trip. Is this feasible with a group of 8? Any recommendations on drivers would be appreciated. Even if we do hire a driver to take us to tour the wineries, do you also suggest we have a rental car?
5. Accommodations - Can you recommend any great villas?
Thanks!
When: Saturday 30 August through Saturday 6 September
Travelers: I will be vacationing with a group of 8 people total, including myself and my husband (both 30 years old), my parents (mid 50's), friends of my parents (also mid 50's), their daughter (22) and a friend of their daughter.
Accommodations: We would like to rent a private villa in Tuscany for the entire week to serve as our home base. Accommodations to include at least 4 bedrooms, as many bathrooms as possible (ideally 4 but no less than 3) and a pool. Would also like air conditioning, wifi (a must), full kitchen, washer/dryer, etc.
Aside from the above, we do not have anything else set in stone. We are all wine lovers and would be spending much of our time traveling to and touring different wineries. In addition, we would like to do at least a day trip to Florence as well as other recommended cities (excluding Rome, as we have already visited there on a previous trip).
As far as where to stay in Tuscany, we are open to recommendations but have initially been looking at villas in the Siena/Montelcino area.
I'd appreciate any insight you can offer on this, and also have the following specific inquiries:
1. Weather - Is air conditioning a must this time of year?
2. Location - is the Siena/Montelcino area a good location to stay in? Is it a good, central location with access to visiting recommended wineries and cities?
3. Wineries/Cities to visit - any recommendations would be greatly appreciate. With a group of 8, should we be making advance reservations for each winery we'd like to go to?
4. Transportation - We are interested in hiring a driver for this trip. Is this feasible with a group of 8? Any recommendations on drivers would be appreciated. Even if we do hire a driver to take us to tour the wineries, do you also suggest we have a rental car?
5. Accommodations - Can you recommend any great villas?
Thanks!