tips for travel

Tuscany has long been a favourite destination for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience.

Where is it?

Tuscany is a large area in central Italy that stretches to the Mediterranean coast. It is divided into ten provinces
which include some of Italy’s most beautiful towns and cities; Florence
Siena and Pisa.

Where can I stay?

Many people choose to stay in villas when they visit Tuscany
preferring the independence of self-catering to the routine of a hotel. The next time you consider visiting Tuscany
take a look at the benefits of a boutique hotel. Giving you the comfort and service of a regular hotel
but with a home-from-home atmosphere and service that anticipates your every need
you can come and go as you please without having to worry about making beds or shopping for food. In fact
when you stay at a boutique hotel
all you have to think about is where your next luxury is coming from.

Try the JK Palace in Florence for a taste of city boutique. With only 20 rooms
it’s like having your own home in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella and it’s the perfect place to return to after a hard day sightseeing. “Boutique” doesn’t always mean tiny - for a hotel that’s a magnificent rural retreat
the Villa Mangiacane is set in 300 hectares of olive groves
vineyard and forest and the view from the pool means that you’ll be hard-pressed to leave the villa at all.

What can I see?

Take a tour to the vineyards and sample classic Tuscan wines such as Chianti and Montepulciano
or visit olive groves and buy pressed olive oil to take home. Tuscany
its towns and cities are full of beautiful Renaissance architecture and the art here rivals that of Venice and Rome. If you’re not staying in Florence
then you should certainly take the time to visit the city during your stay. A busy
chic city
full of amazing architecture
priceless art
great shopping and fantastic dining
Florence is captivating and many visitors return here for short breaks or special events. Tuscany is full of contrasts and you could holiday here for several years in a row without visiting the same place twice.

How do I get around?

How you choose to travel in Tuscany largely depends on where you’re staying. If you’ve chosen a city location
then it will be easier for you to use public transport or just walk to get around
as hiring a car may be expensive and the roads too busy for stress-free driving. On the other hand
if you’ve chosen a boutique hotel in a rural location
you should think about hiring a car so that you can travel round the countryside or take a day-trip to one of the cities. The Italian public transport system is well-used by locals
and you can travel between cities and towns on the train or on buses
which give you the opportunity to gaze at the glorious countryside.