Author Archive
Day Trips From Your Villa: Visiting Archaeological Sites
Ruins in Normandy
In July 2011 our friends at Slow Travel launched Archaeology Travel, a guide to archaeological sites in Europe. We think this is a fantastic new resource for travelers to Europe, especially if you’re renting a villa and wish to plan fun and interesting day trips in the surrounding area. Visits to archaeological sites can be especially great with kids!
This online guide currently features archaeological sites and attractions in France and Great Britain, including prehistoric cave paintings, stone circles, hill forts, and monuments. You can also find information on entire towns created by the Greeks and Romans, as well as medieval castles, monasteries, and market towns. All of Europe is slated to be included in the index; subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates as new countries are added to the guide. Members can search by country and region, leave/read comments on individual sites (some members simply want to share what they enjoyed about a particular site, while others offer helpful tips for finding nearby restaurants), or read the blog.
Renting a Villa in Tuscany? Savor the Experience!
Booking a food or wine experience during your villa stay is a fun, enriching way to truly savor life in Tuscany. Here are a selection of cooking classes and tastings available through RentVillas:
La cucina at Casa del Tartufo
Truffle Cooking Class
Cooking fun with truffles! Learn how to clean, prep, and incorporate fresh truffles into a variety of Tuscan recipes. Giulio and Cristina, professional chef at Casa del Tartufo in Bagno a Ripoli (20 minutes from Florence), will share their passion for these unique “fruits of the soil” during an afternoon and evening of lively instruction and delicious flavors. Class participants will prepare (and enjoy!) an antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno, and dolce. Available Monday-Friday, March-December (except May); 4:00 PM-8:00 PM. Cost per person: 120 Euros (2-5 pax); 110 Euros (over 5 pax). Price includes wine and water. Transportation not included.
Giulio and Edda, Tuscan truffle hunters
The true truffle experience: Join truffle hunter Giulio and his truffle hound Edda on a hunt for black truffles. After your time in the woods, you’ll proceed to Giulio’s Casa del Tartufo in Bagno a Ripoli for a delectable meal in his Tuscan kitchen featuring truffles in each course. A local Sangiovese will be served with dinner. Available weekdays during March-December (except May) (4 PM – 9 PM). Cost per person: 130 Euros (4-5 pax); 120 Euros (over 5 pax). Transportation not included.
Dining at Casa del Tartufo
Wine and truffle tasting at the Casa del Tartufo in Bagno a Ripoli: Taste four different Tuscan wines (all produced by friends of Casa del Tartufo owner Giulio) and savor light Tuscan fare such as local prosciutto and salame, olives, garden salad, and frittata with truffles. Complete the meal with with homemade dolci. Giulio will discuss the wines and truffles and share insight into regional food culture. Available Monday-Friday March-December (except May). Cost per person: 90 Euros (2 pax); 85 Euros (2-5 pax); 75 Euros (more than 5 pax). Transportation not included.
Customer Reviews:
My husband, Paul and I, would like to formally thank you for offering the “True Truffle Experience” to your clients. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think that we would go on a truffle excursion while vacationing in Italy. Not only are we true foodies, but we are also morel mushroom hunters. This is an experience that we will certainly never forget, and one that we will share will family and friends for a lifetime to come.
We had been in contact with Giulio prior to leaving for our trip. His emails were very helpful and his directions were very easy to follow from our villa. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by him and his lovely partner, Christina, at their beautiful estate La Limonaia. They were very welcoming and spoke great English.
Giulio presented us with an overview of the evolution of truffles as well as his credentials. The knowledge and passion that he has can be seen by a certain twinkle in his eye whenever he speaks of the truffles. We were pleasantly surprised to have an impromptu olive oil tasting. We definitely learned a lot and have expanded our pallets. Unfortunately, we are now spoiled with Tuscan olive oil, and we will probably never be able to use anything else!
When it came time for the actual “hunt”, we first had to meet his partner in crime. Etta or Edda, is his beautiful hunting companion. The very key to a successful truffle experience. After she happily responded to us, we loaded into his car and drove up into the hills. From up top, we had the most amazing view of Florence. We quickly headed into the woods and followed 10 steps behind the hunting duo. Not knowing what to expect, we were very surprised to have found a black truffle 15 minutes into our hunt. We continued up the hills and through the woods for over an hour. The end result was 5 truffles!
When we returned to his estate, we were shown the correct way to clean the truffles. Christina then prepared a phenomenal potluck of dishes that were blessed with a generous amount of truffle shavings on top. My husband and I still talk about her Tuscan white bean soup. She is as gifted in the kitchen as he is in the woods. In fact, on our next visit to Tuscany, we want to do the truffle experience again as well as a cooking class with her.
We were very sad to say our goodbyes. It was as if we were leaving old friends. The only satisfaction we had was knowing that we will meet again.
This was definitely one of the highlights of our whole Italian experience.
Thank you again,
Brandy & Paul, October 2011
FOR RESERVATIONS:
Please contact RentVillas at (800) 726-6702.To confirm a reservation, a 20% non-refundable deposit is required. Upon receipt of the deposit, you will be put in direct contact with the Cook or Tour Guide, who will be able to answer your specific questions regarding the details of the meal and/or tour, including balance payment, extra costs, and the meeting time and place. We recommend that reservations be made at least two months prior to your departure.
Tours in Rome
Visit Rome with a native!
Rome is so full of fascinating things to see and do. Where to start? A private, guided tour (1-7 people) with a native, English-speaking guide is an excellent way to see the best of what Rome has to offer, maximize your time, and gain exclusive access.
Here are tours in Rome available through RentVillas:
Driving Tours (Basic and Fully-Guided)
Rome driving tours allow you to enjoy the city’s highlights from the comfort of an air-conditioned private car. Owner/tour manager Fabrizio and his staff of trained drivers are knowledgeable, attentive, and fluent in English.
There are two types of guided driving tours: Basic and Fully-Guided. Both tour types allow you to enjoy “front door” access. There’s no need to make the long trek from parking lot to entrance!
- Basic Tours offer the comfort and convenience of having a local escort and air-conditioned car, but give you the independence of exploring tour stops on your own.
- Fully-Guided Tours offer a complete historical explanation of each stop, as well as additional insider information shared while en route.
Full-Day Basic Tour (7 hours) or Full-Day Fully-Guided Tour (8 hours)
These private driving tours uncover the secrets of the Eternal city and the finest artistic and architectural examples of the Classical, Christian, Baroque and Jewish periods. Please note that both Full-Day tour options include a stop for lunch at a locale selected by your guide; cost is extra.Total cost per Full-Day Basic Tour for 1-7 people: 375 Euros; Total cost per Full-Day Fully-Guided Tour for 1-7 people: 475 Euros.
ADMISSION FEES: Admission fees per person are extra and paid on the spot.
–Coliseum: 12 Euros per person
–Catacombs: 8 Euros per person
PICK UP/DROP OFF: Your guide will meet you at your apartment or at another central location in Rome. This service is included in the tour price.
Half-Day Basic Tour (3 hours) or Half-Day Fully-Guided Tour (4 hours)
These private driving tours includes the Eternal City’s main sights, including examples of the Classical, Christian, and Renaissance periods. Total cost per Half-Day Basic Tour for 1-7 people: 187.50 Euros; Total cost per Half-Day Fully-Guided Tour for 1-7 people: 250 Euros.
ADMISSION FEES: Admission fees per person are extra and paid on the spot.
–Catacombs: 8 Euros per person
PICK UP/DROP OFF: Your guide will meet you at your apartment or at another central location in Rome. This service is included in the tour price.
Just for Kids Walking Tours: There are two guided walking itineraries designed to appeal to children (and their parents!)
- Tour 1 (3 hours): Ideal for kids who are 6+, Tour 1 includes stops at the Coliseum and the Roman and Imperial Forums; a book with overlay (which allows them to see reconstructions) is a helpful learning tool. Also included is a visit to 3D Rome Rewind, an audio-visual learning center where you can view a fascinating video presentation featuring the heart of Imperial Rome in 310 AD, faithfully reconstructed and brought to life in 3D.Total cost per Just For Kids Tour for 1-7 people: 225 Euros. Please note that for an additional cost car service is available: 187.50 Euros for 1-7 people.
ADMISSION FEES: Admission fees per person are extra and paid on the spot.
–3D Rome Rewind: 0-12 years 8 Euros, adults 15 Euros
–Coliseum: 12 Euros
- Tour 2 (3 hours): A nice fit for kids of all ages, Tour 2 includes stops to the Trevi Fountain (kids loving throwing coins and tasting the renowned gelato sold nearby), Piazza Navona, and Explora, Il Museo dei Bambini di Roma, a hands-on educational museum for children. Total cost per Just For Kids Tour for 1-7 people: 225 Euros. Please note that for an additional cost car service is available: 187.50 Euros for 1-7 people.
ADMISSION FEES: Admission fees per person are extra and paid on the spot:
–Explora, Il Museo dei Bambini di Roma: 0-1 years free, 1-3 years 3 Euros, 3+-adult 7 Euros
PICK UP/DROP OFF: According to local custom, your guide will meet you at your apartment or location of your choice in the city center. He/she will then call a taxi and you will travel by taxi to the first itinerary stop. Return transportation is also by taxi. Please note that taxi fares for you and your guide are not included in the tour price and are an extra cost to you. Also, standard-size taxi’s will accommodate 3-4 people; there are also taxi vans available.
Walking Tour of Ancient Rome (3 hours)
Discover the wonders of the Coliseum and the Roman Forum in this 3-hour walking tours. These massive sites were built during the epoch of the Caesars, between the reigns of Augustus and Constantine. Enjoy an informative discussion of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Total cost per tour for 1-7 people: 225 Euros.
ADMISSION FEES: Admission fees per person are extra and paid on the spot:
Coliseum: 12 Euros
PICK UP/DROP OFF: According to local custom, your guide will meet you at your apartment or location of your choice in the city center. He/she will then call a taxi and you will travel by taxi to the first itinerary stop. Return transportation is also by taxi. Please note that taxi fares for you and your guide are not included in the tour price and are an extra cost to you. Also, standard-size taxi’s will accommodate 3-4 people; there are also taxi vans available.
See Roma at night!
Rome by Night Driving Tour (2 hours)
Take an after-dinner drive and then stroll through piazzas and admire the fountains under moonlight. You’ll enjoy unmatched views of the Forum Romanum from Capitoline Hill and Michelangelo’s dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Total cost per tour for 1-7 people: 187.50 Euros
PICK UP/DROP OFF: Your guide will meet you at your apartment or another central location in Rome. This service is included in the tour price.
Learn the fascinating history of the Vatican
Vatican Walking Tours (2-3 hours)
These walking tours include exclusive visits to the Vatican Galleries, Papal Art Collection, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Learn the significance of works of Greek and Roman ancient art, as well as the fine works of Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. There are two options: Fully-Guided or Escorted (no historical explanation):
- Fully-Guided Vatican Walking Tour with English-speaking tour guide (includes historical explanation; 3 hours): Total cost per tour for 1-7 people: 325 Euros
- Escorted Walking Tour (no historical explanation; 2 hours): Total cost per tour for 1-7 people: 150 Euros
ADMISSION FEES: Admission fees per person are extra and paid on the spot.
–For an additional cost, advance reservations for the Vatican Galleries are available: adults 24 Euros; children ages 7-12: 14 Euros. Children under 6 are free.
PICK UP/DROP OFF: According to local custom, your guide will meet you at your apartment or location of your choice in the city center. He/she will then call a taxi and you will travel by taxi to the first itinerary stop. Return transportation is also by taxi. Please note that taxi fares for you and your guide are not included in the tour price and are an extra cost to you. Also, standard-size taxi’s will accommodate 3-4 people; there are also taxi vans available.
For reservations: Please contact RentVillas at (800) 726-6702. A 20% non-refundable deposit is required. Upon receipt of the deposit, you will be put in direct contact with the Tour Guide, who will be able to answer your specific questions regarding the details of the tour, including balance payment, extra costs, and the meeting time and place. We recommend that reservations be made at least two months prior to your departure.
*Note: Unless otherwise stated, prices for Rome Tours do not include meals, museum entrance fees, transfers, or gratuities. Prices for driving tours include pick-up and drop-off in Rome (at your apartment or other central location). The order of the tour stops may change depending on local conditions.
Photos courtesy of:
Titoy’ @Flickr (Colosseum)
HarshLight @Flickr (Roman Forum)
jo.in.pink @Flickr (Vatican City)
Steph & Adam Kahtava @Flickr (Roma at night)
How to Get Cell Service in Italy
Although approximately half of American cell phones will work in Italy, rates can be prohibitively high. What, then, is the most affordable solution for staying connected when you’re renting a villa–and how do you get your phone to work internationally if it’s locked?
Our travel-savvy friends at WhyGo Italy offer the best overview of the cell phone issue we’ve seen. It includes everything from unlocking your phone to rates for Italian SIM cards from various carriers–plus a 10% discount from contributing editor CellularAbroad.com–valid at press time . Click here to read the article.
Photo courtesy of ElvertBarnes@Flickr
Best Markets in Europe
If you want to truly live like a local in Europe, go shopping! Join the natives buying their daily produce, cheese, bread, fish, fowl, and meat and you’ll get an authentic glimpse of people living life well and enjoying a sense of community. Here are three of our favorite markets in Europe—plus villa picks nearby.
Barcelona – Mercat de la Boqueria
The historic Mercat de San Josep de la Boqueria market is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district. Truly a feast for the senses, la Boqueria offers all varieties of produce, from fruits and vegetables, to candy and pastries. It has an entrance from Las Ramblas, a long tree-lined pedestrian mall between the Barrio Gótico (Barcelona’s 14th century Gothic quarter) and El Raval. There are hundreds of vendors and a handful of unassuming (but delicious) food stalls for a quick bite. It’s open everyday, 8 AM – 8:30 PM.
Villa Pick – Pedrera
Live like a Local in Barcelona!
Located in the elegant Passieg de Gracia neighborhood, Pedrera is a 2-bedroom apartment within walking distance of the Gothic Quarter (Las Ramblas and La Boqueria). Access to bus and metro lines is 100 meters away. French doors open onto a small terrace—a perfect spot for breakfast or an aperitif.
Rome – Campo dei Fiori
The daily Campo dei Fiori market (held everyday except Sunday in the center of Piazza Campo dei Fiori) is Rome’s oldest. There has been a market in this location for centuries. It offers the best fish and bread in the city, as well as picturesque piles of fruits and vegetables, flowers, and fragrant ethnic spices. You can also find kitchen wares, linens, and toys. We suggest you visit early (the market opens at 6:00 AM), before most tourists are out and about and the majority of customers are Romans.
Villa Pick – Campo dei Fiori – Antonius
Live like a Local in Rome!
Piazza Campo dei Fiori is just a 2-minute walk away from Antonius, a 2-bedroom apartment (sleeps 4-6) in a restored 18th century building. Imagine taking a pre-breakfast stroll to the market for fresh fruit and bread! Also within convenient walking distance are the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.
Aix-en-Provence – Plâce Richelme
The daily market on Plâce Richelme overflows with the abundance of the Provençal countryside. For locals, shopping at the market is a daily ritual. As with all farmers’ markets, plan on visiting early when selection is at its best and your fellow shoppers are natives, not tourists. The Plâce Richelme offers beautiful, locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as cheese, bread, cured meats, and some of the best olives you will ever taste.
Villa Pick - Maison Perspicace
Live like a Local in Aix-en-Provence!
Maison Perspicace is just 5 km from Aix-en-Provence in the village of Les Milles. It has 4 bedrooms (sleeps 7-9) and a beautiful swimming pool—ideal after a full day trip to Marseille (30 km ) or Avignon (90 km).
Photo of la Boqueria courtesy of Klearchos Kapoutsis @ Flickr
Photo of Campo dei Fiori courtesy of diluvi @ Flickr
Photo of Plâce Richelme market courtesy of anjci @ Flickr
Italy’s Blue Flag Beaches
The Blue Flag is an eco-label awarded to the cleanest, safest beaches with good environmental track records. Owned and run by the non-profit organization Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag campaign supports sustainable development at beaches and marinas, monitoring standards in water quality, education, environmental management, and public safety in 41 countries across Europe.
Here are some of our favorite Italian award-winning beaches and marinas in Tuscany (Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, and Viareggio) and Campania (Positano)…plus villa picks nearby:
Tuscany – Blue Flag Beaches in Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, and Viareggio
About the area: If you avoid the August crowds, Forte dei Marmi (or simply “Forte”) is a fashionable, low-profile beach town with a beautiful Blue Flag beach and enticing shops located approximately 1.5 hours NW of Florence. It’s chic, but understated. The beach is accessible via bathing clubs; Alaide and Capri are family-run. Bike rentals are available at Cicli Maggi, a bike shop founded in 1916. It’s a pleasurable spin to nearby Pietrasanta (the medieval town; 3 km inland) and Marina di Pietrasanta (the port), where you can sample renowned biscotti at Fortini and visit marble sculptors’ studios. Viareggio, also a Blue Flag award-winner in 2010, is the main center on the northern Italian riviera. Although very crowded in August (like all beaches in Italy!), it has a beautiful port and historic center, as well as convenient train service to all of Italy’s major cities. Here, sample one of our favorite Versilian specialities: cecina, a chickpea pancake.
Villa picks in Tuscany:
Casa Pietrasanta offers a lush countryside setting with easy access to Pietrasanta (3 km), Forte dei Marmi (10 km), and Viareggio (12 km). It sleeps 6-7, has a swimming pool, and is furnished in an elegant, rustic style.
Tuscany villa with views of Versilian coastline.
Villa Maria is a spacious villa for 6-8 people with pool 3 km from the beach in Viareggio, 13 km to Forte Marmi, and 9 km to Pietrasanta. It’s also 1 km from the village of Piano di Mommio, which offers a good selection of services, and is only 20 km from the beautiful walled city of Lucca.
Campania – Blue Flag Beaches in Positano
About the area: Positano is one of the jewels of the Amalfi Coast. It’s an unbelievably picturesque fishing village and has a Blue Flag beach (Spiaggia Grande; pebbled) and port. There are many charming outdoor cafés and narrow, cobbled alleys and endless staircases to meander. Typical fare highlights all types of seafood and local produce such as lemons, peppers, and tomatoes. Don’t miss the anchovies with mint and garlic! Other popular beaches include Fornilla, La Porta, and Arienzo. There’s also an incredible trail that starts in the mountains above Positano called Il Sentiero degli Dei (Trail of the Gods). It follows a high ridge and ends in Vietri sul Mare, east of Positano.
Villa Picks in Campania:
Brezza di Mare is a charming one-bedroom villa in the village of Montepertuso—a 10-minute shuttle bus ride to Positano. It has a large, private terrace with views of the sea.
Positano villa with views of the sea.
Casa Luna is a 2-bedroom apartment within walking distance of Positano. It has a garden terrace, fragrant with jasmine, that overlooks the sea and village.
Finding the right flight: Part 2
When it comes to searching online for airfare to Europe, it’s tough to know where to begin in an ever-expanding sea of travel sites. Here, in part 2 of our 2-part guide to finding the right flight online, we cover the best resources:
First stop: Matrix. This is ITA Software’s public airfare search engine, and it also happens to power many popular travel sites and airlines’ reservation systems. What you can’t do with Matrix: Purchase tickets directly. What you can do: Download a mobile airfare shopping app for iPhone or Android called OnTheFly. Use an interactive calendar to explore date ranges. Refer to color-coded time bars to compare flights at a glance.
Like Matrix, Fly.com, Kayak.com, and Bing.com are so-called metasearch engines. This means you can enter your search criteria in one place and simultaneously get results indexed from multiple engines. These sites are highly efficient, but again, you can’t book tickets directly. Here’s how the three sites are different:
–Fly.com indexes just flights: its data comes from airlines and major travel sites (including discount and international flights, online travel agencies, and airfare consolidators).
–Kayak.com also indexes flights—plus hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages.
–Bing.com is slightly different in that it’s an actual search engine, or “decision engine”, in Microsoft’s words. Its travel search tool, Bing Travel, includes the cool bonus of offering price predictions for each fare (Is the fare likely to go up or down?)
Cheapoair.com functions similarly to the other metasearch travel engines in that results are culled from multiple data resources and reservation systems, but it’s a one-stop shop: Tickets can be booked directly though Cheapoair.com, either online or by phone, 24/7. Its also a full-service travel agency, with deals on hotels, vacation packages, car rentals, and airport parking.
Momondo.com is a great bet for finding cheap airfare to and within Europe. This Denmark-based aggregator indexes more than 450 travel sites—including major booking engines, airlines, and discount European airlines (an inexpensive choice if you don’t mind making a connection and possibly paying additional baggage fees). It also features city guides and a traveler blog.
Yapta.com will actually help you to pinpoint the best time to book by tracking fluctuating prices, and even better, enable you to take advantage of many U.S. airlines’ “guaranteed airfare policies”. According to this policy, if the price of flight you’ve already booked goes down, you may be eligible for a refund. Yapta will track the price of a flight you’ve booked, and alert you if it drops below the purchase price. Word to the wise: Refunds apply only if you book directly through the airline!
Along similar lines there’s Airfarewatchdog.com. What makes this site unique is its staff of dedicated “Dealhounds” (yes, real people!) who are literally sniffing out the fare sales for you. You pick your home airport, and then Airfarewatchdog.com will email you when prices go up or down.
Also worth a mention is InsideTrip.com. It’s an airfare search engine, but it’s unique because each itinerary is awarded a TripQuality score based on 12 criteria: security wait time; legroom; aircraft type; aircraft age; historical load factor; connect time; routing quality; lost bags rank; and gate location. In addition, it provide a FinalAirfare calculation—an estimate of bag and drink fees prior to departure.
Finally, if all of this just sounds like way too much work, consider Tripology.com. This is a free service that puts you in touch with certified Travel Specialists: By submitting a Trip Request online you’ll receive up to 3 Customized Trip Itineraries; you then select the one you want and book your trip.
Photo courtesy AMagill @ Flickr
Finding the right flight: Part 1
Find the right flight!
Securing the perfect villa for your desired dates is just one piece of the travel puzzle: Now you need to find a flight. Here’s part one of a two-part guide to help you book the right flight online:
Let’s start with basics. Is your priority cost or convenience? Here’s a scenario to consider: I’m renting a villa in the Chianti in June for two weeks with two small children. To minimize parental headaches, I’m flying direct. I’ve booked a Delta flight serviced by AlItalia from LAX to Rome’s Fiumicino. From there, I’ll rent a car and drive to Tuscany (3.5 hours).
Now let’s say the kids are staying home with grandma. In that case I might find a more competitive rate by flying a carrier such as Lufthansa into Munich, a large, user friendly international airport with complete services, and then booking a connecting flight to Rome on a local discount airline such as Meridiana, Air Italy, EasyJet, or Blu-Express. One note of caution here: Baggage restrictions on smaller airlines are often tighter than those on major carriers; be sure to check weight limits and/or baggage charges on individual carriers’ sites before you purchase! You may even want to think about traveling with just a carry on, if possible. For alternative transportation there’s the train—a convenient, relaxing, and certainly less expensive option. According to RailEurope I could take the City Night Line, for example: The train leaves Munich at 9:00 PM…and arrives in Rome at 9:00 AM the next morning. Not too shabby!
Before you get down to searching, here’s a few more helpful tips:
–Should you pounce on tickets in February if, say, you’re not traveling until September? Depends. It might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s important to consider that the cheapest seats sell out first. Waiting until the last minute isn’t necessarily going to save money, especially in those last 2 weeks prior to your departure (when prices tend to be inflated). On the other hand, by buying far in advance you may miss eventual price drops. A good rule of thumb is to book 1-5 months in advance of your departure date for best price and selection. You’ll also find the best fares during business hours—when most people are online.
–Is there a cheaper day of the week to fly? Yes. According to Rick Seaney, CEO of farecompare.com, traveling on weekdays to Europe is cheaper than weekends (FYI: Wednesday is your day to save if you’re flying domestic).
–Consider the high and low European tourist seasons. Peak periods, such as summer (late May – late August) are generally more expensive. Late October to mid-March is considered the winter season and is typically more affordable; same goes for late March to mid-May (though Easter week may see some spikes). Fall (mid-September to late October) is also low season.
–Flexibility is key! If you’ve got wiggle room on your dates or arrival/departure airport, you can find the best deals.
Photo courtesy of xlibber @ Flickr
Custom guidebooks for travelers to Italy
Want the autonomy and flexibility of traveling on your own? Created especially for RentVillas clients, self-guided tours from Italia Roadrunners are like having a guidebook written just for you.
Here’s how it works: Once you have booked your property, you can reserve this service through RentVillas. David Wagner will then contact you and give you an overview of interesting towns easily reachable from your villa. You choose the five you like best, and he’ll send you a packet of information which contains everything you need. Cultural and historical information takes you step by step through various landmarks, while lunch suggestions guide you to the best local dining spots. Beyond that, though, you’ll have all of those critical little details: estimating driving time, directions, parking suggestions, and more. It’s everything you need for a guided tour – when you want, and at your own pace.
About David Wagner: After a career as a Foreign Service officer, including three assignments to Italy, he returned to the U.S. and wanted to share his knowledge of Italian food, history, culture, and especially its small towns. The result was Italia Roadrunners. Most of David’s trip choices are in Tuscany and Umbria, but he has a few in the Veneto region of the northeast. All suggestions will be within reasonable driving distance of your villa.
FOR RESERVATIONS:
Please contact RentVillas (800) 726-6702 to make a 20% non-refundable deposit. Cost for the packet of five tours with other general travel information is $110. The balance will be paid by check after your choice of itineraries is made with David and before he prepares your packet. (For clients outside the U.S., David will add extra shipping charges and require a U.S. dollar check or money order for his payment. In addition, contact will be by email instead of telephone.) Please allow three to four weeks prior to your departure for preparation of the material.
Travel insurance: Don’t leave home without it!
Richard Feldman fell 30 feet off a cliff and broke both legs while traveling in Vietnam in October 2009; he’d simply stopped to admire the view (and answer nature’s call). In January 2011 the Ventura, CA native was selected by trip insurance company TravelGuard as the winner of the World’s Unluckiest Traveler contest, winning a 10,000 dollar travel voucher. Not a bad consolation!
Richard Feldman’s disaster tale is an excellent reminder of the value of travel insurance. International travel is a memorable adventure, but it does pose some risks. Anything can happen: medical emergencies, severe weather, delayed flights, and lost passports or luggage. We may be forced to cancel or cut our trip short and thereby lose our vacation investment. We may also be faced with unplanned expenses. Navigating these types of problems while abroad can be complicated and costly.
Travel insurance offers protection from many unforeseen difficulties. RentVillas stands by CSA Travel Protection. Their FreeStyle Luxe plan covers trip cancellation and interruption; travel delay; missed connection; baggage and personal effects; baggage delay; medical or dental expenses ($250,000 per policy); emergency assistance (including EMT transport); rental car damage; travel accident ($250,000 per policy); and air flight accident.
Please call us at 1 (800) 726-6702 with any questions regarding travel insurance.
