The first thing to remember on your Tuscan holiday is to enjoy yourself. Just relax and enjoy the gorgeous scenery, the wonderful food and wine and the friendliness of the local people who, we are sure, will go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

Here is some further information that may help:

Car rental – If you don’t already have transport arranged for your stay in Tuscany, you may want to hire a car either to get you from the airport to your accommodation and back – or for the entire duration of your holiday. If you are planning to explore the countryside, villages and cities, a car is certainly a must. There are plenty of airport-based car rental companies at Pisa, Florence and Rome that allow you to book online or by phone. Make your choice according to price, model, terms and specification (seating capacity, petrol or diesel, air conditioning or not etc) and it will be waiting to collect at the airport upon arrival. A point to remember is that you can experience huge queues for rental cars at airports during the summer months that can delay you for anything up to 2 hours. If you are staying in Tuscany during the summer months, air conditioning is a must – cars get unbelievably hot in the scorching Tuscan sun!

When collecting your keys, you may be asked if you want an empty fuel tank or full. If you choose a full tank you will usually pay over the odds for the convenience. If you go for the empty tank option, there will nevertheless be sufficient fuel for 30-50 km – enough to get you to a number of petrol stations on your route out of the airport. By filling at the first petrol station on your route, you are not only saving money, but gaining the opportunity to do some basic shopping at the convenience stores located at every petrol station.

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Driving – Driving in your own (rental) car is the best, if not the only, way to enjoy the region. Whether to get to Siena, Florence, Pisa or San Gimignano – or simply to relax and explore the countryside – an air conditioned car is the most flexible and relaxing way to go. Apart from driving on the right, it’s not very different to driving conditions back home. Roads in the country are reasonably quiet but when you do encounter local traffic, they tend to tail-gate you until they can pass. If you feel threatened by it, look for a suitable place to pull over and allow them to pass. Rural roads, especially further inland, are often very narrow and windy – so obvious care must be taken, especially negotiating blind twists and turns.

You will need a good map too, so invest in one before you leave the UK or when you stop at a service area on your way to your accommodation. You may find getting around confusing as the roads (especially the main highways) seem to have two or three names such as the main Pisa-Grosseto-Roma highway - called SS1, E80 or 'Aurelia'. (The Siena-Roma highway = SR2 or 'via Cassia') You can experience added confusion when you find that the map doesn't actually tell you which number road you are on - so passing a roadside sign that says 'SP64' will often find no similar reference on your map. The best way to get to your destination is to look at your map noting down a few main villages and towns in between and beyond your destination then head off in the right direction following the roadside signs. That way, if you lose a sign for your actual destination, simply look for a sign to the town or city beyond or before and follow that.

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DISTANCES FROM PISA AIRPORT
TO	km	Hr:Min
Florence	85	0:45
Siena	144	1:40
Grosseto	160	2:00
Montepulciano	192	2:15
Monte Argentario	200	2:15
Arcidosso	210	2:35

DISTANCES FROM ROME AIRPORT
TO	km	Hr:Min
Florence	275	3
Siena	232	2:40
Grosseto	180	2:10
Montepulciano	177	2:10
Monte Argentario	140	2
Arcidosso	236	3

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GENERAL DISTANCES
FROM	TO	Hr:Min
Pisa	Florence	0:45
Pisa	Siena	1:40
Pisa	Perugia	2:30
Pisa	Grosseto	2:00
Pisa	Montepulciano	2:15
Rome	Florence	3:00
Rome	Siena	2:40
Rome	Perugia	1:50
Rome	Montepulciano	2:10
Rome	Grosseto	2:10
Grosseto	Siena	1:20
Grosseto	Florence	2:20
Grosseto	Montepulciano	2:00
Grosseto	San Gimignano	1:50
Florence	Siena	0:55
Florence	Perugia	1:50
Florence	Montepulciano	1:40

Shopping - If you have been on a villa holiday before, you will already know that you need to take, or purchase upon arrival, certain provisions to get you started and to see you through your stay. For instance, if you have a favourite tea or coffee blend, don’t forget to pack them as you may not see them in Italian shops. Likewise, personal basics such as toiletries, including soap, need to be packed.

If your flight and driving time doesn’t get you to your apartment until late in the day, it would be wise to pick up a few further supplies at one of the service area shops on the road to your accommodation. And remember, in some areas, shops aren't open on Sundays at all (although they usually are in the high season). Which is why we recommend the basic ‘Arrival Pack’ for your first night and next morning as:

• Bread
• Milk
• Mineral water
• Cereal (or other breakfast requirements)
• Sugar
• Beer (for unwinding on that first, relaxing evening on the patio or balcony)
• Wine (ditto)

You can order your Arrival Pack for €10 on top of the cost of the groceries and the villa owner will have the items waiting for you in your accommodation upon arrival. Ask us for details when you confirm your booking.

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If you have more time and are so inclined, you could get more supplies to see you through the first few days and eliminate the need to go out again to look for more provisions immediately upon arrival.

A more long-term shopping list could include:

• Washing up liquid
• Soap
• Toilet rolls
• Dishwasher tablets (where relevant)
• Charcoal and firelighters for barbecue
• Meat – sausages, burgers, fish etc for barbecue
• More food, especially ingredients for salads (cheese, salami, pasta, olives, tomatoes, garlic, lettuce, cucumbers, onions, etc), also peaches, nectarines, watermelons, tins of tuna, sun dried tomatoes, risotto rice, eggs,

Other than that, you will find that discovering new local produce is an enjoyable and interesting part of your Tuscan experience. For instance, if you are touring around visiting different parts of this beautiful region, you will come across farms where wine or olive oil can be purchased off the owners (they always hold some back after sending the bulk of their harvest to the local co-operative). Look out for the neat rows of vines in a vineyard and just drive up to the farmhouse and ask (or gesticulate and mime!).

Similarly, you may want to stop at one of the many villages along the way where you will discover stores with fresh produce on display outside. Stop and enjoy choosing provisions such as fresh tomatoes, peaches, nectarines, dried ham, salami and some of the terrific local cheeses.

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Villa owners – Our villa owners are the most friendly and welcoming people we know. They are proud of their accommodation, of Tuscany and of their local food and wine. But most of all, they really love guests from other countries. Often, but not always, the owners occupy part of the villa. Villas are usually an original stone Tuscan farmhouse or one of several separate buildings, either purpose-built in authentic Tuscan style or an existing old out-building such as stables or a barn that has been lovingly converted. Being rural by nature, some of the owners don’t speak any English. So unless your Italian is up to scratch, communication, if any, will be quite basic – a lot of hand gestures and miming is the usual routine. However we have found that this can be fun and quite a rewarding experience over a glass of wine on the patio or terrace in the evening if you are feeling neighbourly. We have found that they are often so proud of their home-produced wine or olive oil, that these delicious products will be offered to you one evening. However, it’s not compulsory, and you don’t have to see the owner from one day to the next if you don’t want to. But they are a friendly lot and it will be hard to resist their warmth and charm.

Swimming pools
Please also be aware that swimming pools at villas that have them are subject to closed seasons. These usually correspond to the Low Season, but may vary a few days/weeks either way. Please check upon booking if you expect a pool in the Mid Seasons. And please remember, swimming pools, where available, are used entirely at guests’ own risk and no liability whatsoever is accepted by the villa owner or Spirit of Tuscany (see note 15 'Terms & Conditions').

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Villa contents – Your accommodation is maintained and equipped with everything you will need for day-to-day living. There are saucepans, crockery, cutlery, glasses and a coffee machine – usually the filter variety (so take coffee grounds if you enjoy fresh-brewed coffee). What you won't normally get is a kettle or a teapot – Italians aren’t big on a nice cup of tea. So you’ll need to use a saucepan to boil the water and the heat-proof Pyrex coffee container on the filter machine for the teapot.

Unless otherwise stated, most apartments and villas have some form of cooking appliance. This can be either just a hob (gas or electric) or both a hob and oven. If the website details don’t mention ‘oven’ or 'grill' don’t expect one. Most guests don’t do a great deal of cooking indoors anyway – preferring a barbecue or to sample the local restaurants instead.

Some guests (especially those driving to Tuscany) prefer to take their own bed linen and towels so for most villas and apartments these are always an optional extra at €8 per person per change (some are included in the price - check individual villas/apartments on the 'zone' pages for confirmation). If you have them for a week, you only pay €16 per couple - if you have them for a fortnight without changing them, still €16. However, if you want them changed once at the end of the first week of a fortnight's stay, then the cost would be €32 per couple payable to the owner upon arrival.

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Gas supply – Some apartments have a gas supply – normally from a large storage tank somewhere out of sight in the garden. This is usually for the stove and the central heating. If your apartment has a gas stove, you will need to turn it on and off by a tap/valve usually located under the sink. The villa owner, who will meet you upon arrival anyway, will normally show you where it is and how to operate it. They like you to turn it off at night and when you are out for the day to reduce the risk of any possibility of a leak should someone accidentally leave the stove top supply slightly on. Although this is no more likely than in England, it is recommended to follow instructions as a worthwhile safety precaution.

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Arriving and departing
You are requested to arrive no earlier than 1600hrs (4pm local time) on the day of arrival so the villa/apartment can be cleaned after the out-going guests.

As the villa owners will be expecting you at 1600hrs (4pm local time) or shortly thereafter on the day of arrival, please contact us (00 44 7756 714 766 from Italy) if you think you are going to be delayed beyond 1800hrs (6pm local time) so that we can inform them.

You are requested to vacate the accommodation no later than 1000hrs (10am local time) on the day of departure so the villa/apartment can be cleaned after for the in-coming guests.

Rental periods run from Saturday to Saturday during the Super High and High Season.

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The weather
Tuscany enjoys a generally mild climate which, in keeping with most northern Mediterranean countries, has summer temperatures in the 30s (around 90°F). Autumn lasts longer than in England and it is often possible to eat outside in the sun in early December. Once winter has set in, however, it nevertheless gets quite cold, but temperatures seldom go below freezing. Spring, while sunny can still be quite chilly and the temperatures don't warm up until late April/May.

However, because the region is so geographically varied, from high hills and deep valleys inland, to a flat landscape at the coastal regions, you can experience a variety of localised climates. These can include welcoming sea breezes at the coast to sweltering sheltered valleys further inland in summer.

Months	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Max temp	9	11	14	19	23	27	30	30	26	20	14	11
Min temp	2	3	5	8	12	15	18	17	15	11	7	4
April, May, June, September and October are excellent months to visit Tuscany if you want to avoid the heat and crowds you can experience by the summer months – especially in the cities and at the seaside.

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The Seasons
Super High Season (SHS) (where applicable), High Season (HS), Mid-season (MS) and Low Season (LS). Please note that rental periods normally run from Saturday to Saturday but are negotiable during Mid-Season and Low Season for some villas and apartments. During the Super High and the High Seasons for all villas and apartments, bookings can only be accepted for Saturday to Saturday.

Super High Season includes the 4 weeks before the nearest Saturday at the end of August. Rental periods run from Saturday to Saturday.

High Season includes the 8 weeks before the nearest Saturday at the end of August. If a Super High Season (SHS) exists for a villa or apartment, HS is therefore the 4 weeks before the SHS begins. HS should therefore start on the nearest Saturday at the end of June and run for 4 weeks. Rental periods also run from Saturday to Saturday. Complicated, isn't it??!! Please contact us for clarification.

The Mid-seasons are the periods on each side of the High Season. Spring mid-season is therefore the six weeks before the start of the High Season. Autumn Mid-season is the three weeks after the end of the High Season. The weeks that include Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter and the Epiphany are also Mid-Season.

The Low Season includes all the other weeks of the year not included in the High Season or Mid-seasons.

We are always at the end of a phone for assistance should you ever get stuck. Just give us a call and we will offer the best advice to help you resolve any queries or difficulties you may have. From Italy, call 00 44 7756 714 766.