See what the experts are saying about Tuscany. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Special-interest vacations
Cooking Schools One of Italy's most respected cookbook authors, and former TV cooking show star, Giuliano Bugialli shares his secrets in summertime weeklong classes, with lodging in Florence and classes conducted in a kitchen in the chiant... Continue reading »
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Tips on accommodations
Alas, Italy is no longer the country of dirt-cheap pensione, with shared bathrooms and swaybacked beds. Most hotels have private bathrooms in the rooms now (if not, my reviews state this), regulations and standardization have become much stri... Continue reading »
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Sustainable travel & ecotourism
Each time you take a flight or drive a car CO2 is released into the atmosphere. You can help neutralize this danger to our planet through "carbon offsetting" -- paying someone to reduce your CO2 emissions by the same amount you've added. Carb... Continue reading »
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Tips on dining
For a quick bite, go to a bar -- though it does serve alcohol, a bar in Italy functions mainly as a cafe. Prices at bars have a split personality: al banco is standing at the bar, while à tavola means sitting at a table where they'll wait on... Continue reading »
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How to get your vat refund
Most purchases have a built-in value added tax (IVA) of 20%. Non-E.U. (European Union) citizens are entitled to a refund of this tax if they spend more than 154.94€ (before tax) at any one store. To claim your refund, request an invoice from... Continue reading »
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Tips for families
Italy is still a family-oriented society, and kids have free rein just about anywhere they go. A crying baby at a dinner table is greeted with a knowing smile rather than with a stern look. Children under a certain age almost always receive d... Continue reading »
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Tips for gay and lesbian travelers
Italy as a whole, and Northern and Central Italy in particular, are gay-friendly. Homosexuality is legal, and the age of consent is 16. Luckily, Italians are already more affectionate and physical than Americans in their general friendships,... Continue reading »
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Tips for senior travelers
Italy is a multigenerational culture that doesn't tend to marginalize its seniors, and older people are treated with a great deal of respect and deference throughout Italy. But there are few specific programs, associations, or concessions mad... Continue reading »
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Tips for single travelers
On package vacations, single travelers are often hit with a "single supplement" to the base price. To avoid it, you can agree to room with other single travelers or find a compatible roommate before you go, from one of the many roommate-locat... Continue reading »
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Tips for student travelers
The International Student Travel Confederation (ISTC; www.istc.org) was formed in 1949 to make travel around the world more affordable for students. Check out its website for comprehensive travel services information and details on how to get... Continue reading »
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Tips for travelers with disabilities
Most disabilities shouldn't stop anyone from traveling. There are more options and resources out there than ever before. In Italy, a few of the top museums and churches have installed ramps at the entrances, and a few hotels have converted fi... Continue reading »
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Tips for women travelers
It is hard not to notice that, on the streets of Florence, young foreign women far outnumber any other category of people. Women feel remarkably welcome in Italy -- sometimes a bit too welcome, actually. It seems every young Italian male is o... Continue reading »
Tuscany Travel Experiences
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My home base until December
San Gusme has a population of approximatly 450 people. 200 within the city wall and 250 outside. It is located approximatly 30 minutes no... Continue reading »
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We're camping at the center of Etruscan civilization
So here we are in Volterra, Italy, in the heart of Tuscany. We were very fortunate... Continue reading »
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Lake Garda to Tuscany
Saturday, 8th & 9th November Next day we quickly passed into Austria for 5 minutes – took advantage of their cheaper fuel and food in Li... Continue reading »
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Under The Tuscan Clouds
Well the day I have been looking forward to for a long time has finally arrived and we awoke early to get the worm (well a 2 door silver... Continue reading »
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Day 7: San Gimignano & Monteriggioni & Siena & Pi...
The first city of our busy day, San Gimignano, is a picturesque little town with a lot of towers from the families in the... Continue reading »
