Fmax
10+ Posts
Unfortunately works limits amount of vacation I can take so want to make the most of what travel time I do have. A 3 week break this year will take me to London for a couple of days, Scotland (back home visiting with friends and family) for a week, villa in citta della pieve with 10 friends for birthday celebrations and then a week on my own travelling around italy.
I know from experience when booking the villa that it's virtually impossible to get timely feedback and decisions from 10 people so as a lover of research, I'm putting together various itineraries and people can choose to do as much or as little as they wish. I don't think anyone realises how much there is to see in Italy and without some research and planning, you see very little. So here's some questions I'm looking for answers to:
HOW EASY IS IT TO DRIVE IN ITALIAN COUNTRYSIDE
Scottish friend is thinking of renting small car for her and couple of others but wary about driving on other side of road and assumes she'll get automatic car to make it easier but isn't aware of how much more expensive that can be. My sister who's driven in canada for years drives same side of road as italy s that's not an issue, however, hasn't driven standard for 20 years so, again, not sure if not automatic how comfortable she would be with it.
NO CAR
if choosing not to rent cars, how feasible is it to use public transport. I am also looking into private van/driver but initial enquiries has prices coming back for vans up to 8 people so would require two if all are participating in particular day(s). For areas an hour or so away, is cab viable/cost effective assuming split 4 ways, when comparing to car rental cost.
ITINERARY
Pecorino festival in Pienza is day after we arrive so contemplating that. Depending on vehicle option for getting around, might be feasible to include pit stop somewhere early on in the day before heading there.
Possibly a day in rome and in Florence and assume easiest option is to take train from Chiusi in both instances.
Greve in Chianti Wine Festival - definitely looking at a van/driver for this day so everyone can enjoy the wines.
Thermal baths/spa - definitely on to do list for some and whether that's incorporated with another excursion or is an excurions on its' own as half day with the other part of day enjoying the villa, not sure.
Seems so much to do in the area with so little time. I'm sure there's other things in the area to contemplate that I just haven't discovered yet, but this is the initial thoughts of things that should definitely be an option. Just glad I have an extra week after this.
Thanks in advance for any input and I'm total open to any thoughts/suggestions you have on the itinerary, area etc that aren't necessarily specific to the questions above.
I know from experience when booking the villa that it's virtually impossible to get timely feedback and decisions from 10 people so as a lover of research, I'm putting together various itineraries and people can choose to do as much or as little as they wish. I don't think anyone realises how much there is to see in Italy and without some research and planning, you see very little. So here's some questions I'm looking for answers to:
HOW EASY IS IT TO DRIVE IN ITALIAN COUNTRYSIDE
Scottish friend is thinking of renting small car for her and couple of others but wary about driving on other side of road and assumes she'll get automatic car to make it easier but isn't aware of how much more expensive that can be. My sister who's driven in canada for years drives same side of road as italy s that's not an issue, however, hasn't driven standard for 20 years so, again, not sure if not automatic how comfortable she would be with it.
NO CAR
if choosing not to rent cars, how feasible is it to use public transport. I am also looking into private van/driver but initial enquiries has prices coming back for vans up to 8 people so would require two if all are participating in particular day(s). For areas an hour or so away, is cab viable/cost effective assuming split 4 ways, when comparing to car rental cost.
ITINERARY
Pecorino festival in Pienza is day after we arrive so contemplating that. Depending on vehicle option for getting around, might be feasible to include pit stop somewhere early on in the day before heading there.
Possibly a day in rome and in Florence and assume easiest option is to take train from Chiusi in both instances.
Greve in Chianti Wine Festival - definitely looking at a van/driver for this day so everyone can enjoy the wines.
Thermal baths/spa - definitely on to do list for some and whether that's incorporated with another excursion or is an excurions on its' own as half day with the other part of day enjoying the villa, not sure.
Seems so much to do in the area with so little time. I'm sure there's other things in the area to contemplate that I just haven't discovered yet, but this is the initial thoughts of things that should definitely be an option. Just glad I have an extra week after this.
Thanks in advance for any input and I'm total open to any thoughts/suggestions you have on the itinerary, area etc that aren't necessarily specific to the questions above.