Tuscany is a dream holiday destination for many and on plenty of bucket lists and we certainly might be a bit biased but we have to say that we think the region more than earns its place on these lists and as a beloved vacation spot. Fall in love with everything from the incredible cultural and artistic heritage on offer in both famous cities like Florence and tiny towns you’ve probably never heard of before to the impossibly scenic landscapes that can seem almost too dreamy to be real. Dive into a hearty cuisine steeped in peasant traditions that is wholesome and satisfying and local wines like Chianti that are justifiably famous all over the world. Indulge in a pace of life that is slow and delicious and ideal for a vacation. Explore picturesque towns where history is still alive and time seems to have stopped and experience unique traditions that are sure to intrigue and excite... There really are endless things to love about villas in Tuscany!
There are also some unique quirks to the region that shouldn’t take away from your trip but that you should be prepared for in order not to be caught unaware and to be able to enjoy your stay in Tuscany without dealing with stressful situations on your holiday. Every place has its own laws, traditions, tastes, and ways of life and they can sometimes differ quite dramatically from those that you are used to. Experiencing these differences is one of the great joys of travelling but some can be a real shock to the system if you’re unprepared. In particular, driving is something that can be quite stressful for some when abroad. So, here’s what we think you should know if you are going to book a vacation rental in Tuscany and plan to drive around.
Many are surprised by the roads when visiting Tuscany. While motorways will be standardised and easy enough to navigate, Tuscany is a region of hills, valleys, forests, and other geographical elements that make its landscape exceptionally lovely. These features of the countryside and the age and preservation of some historic towns and cities can mean, however, that roads might be narrow, steep, winding, cobbled, or even unpaved entirely. Particularly, if you want to stay in one of our properties with incredible views in the countryside and you want to enjoy the peace and quiet of a more remote location, it is highly likely that you will encounter roads that can be challenging. So, we ask customers to keep a few things in mind:
- If you are a nervous or inexperienced driver, in general, or are worried about driving in another country, it might be worth considering one of our holiday rentals in a town in Tuscany or less remote locations to avoid dealing with the more rustic roads that can be found deeper into the countryside.
- Property descriptions will tell you if a rental is located down a narrow or steep or unpaved country lane. Please note that when these descriptions are present, it does indicate a more challenging road and they are not exaggerating. It will likely be worth it for what you get as a result – views and tranquillity – but you should be prepared to navigate it.
- If you are staying in the countryside, it is recommended not to rent a low vehicle or a sports car as these types of cars can find unpaved roads, in particular, hard to traverse and you may be limited in where you can go in such a vehicle.
- Even larger public roads can be more of a challenge in Tuscany than they might be in other parts of the world. Due to being narrow or winding, it may take longer than you might imagine to safely cover certain distances. So, embrace the slower pace of life in Tuscany and generally expect it might take a little longer to get to places but take the extra time to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.
- If you are particularly worried about driving and want to make sure that road conditions around a rental are suitable for your needs, please contact us and one of our villa experts can check to ensure that you have the right options.
- Those who choose to avoid listings that might be located down country lanes will likely still have to deal with these kinds of road conditions at some point during their vacation if they plan on exploring the wider region thoroughly by car. Eventually, you’ll more than likely be directed down a narrow road or over a steep hill by your GPS. So, ensure that you have a calm and collected driver in your party who can navigate this if you want to drive around Tuscany. If you don’t think you’re prepared for such conditions, there are always guided bus tours and other ways to get around.
- Want to avoid driving completely? Then a vacation rental in Florence or a holiday rental in Pisa might be the only way to go. From these bigger urban locations, you can more reliably use public transportation and go on foot to get to famous attractions like the Uffizi or the Leaning Tower, or join aforementioned bus tours, etc to explore areas in the countryside easily throughout your trip.
Part of the famous beauty and romance of Tuscany is its untouched, scenic, historic, winding, ambling countryside, towns, and cities. If you want this romance, the trade-off is roads that are the way they are because of geographic reality and/or preservation of historic elements that mean they can’t be changed dramatically. We think it’s all very much worth it but do keep these things in mind and plan your vacation in Tuscany accordingly so that you won’t have to deal with driving conditions that might take away from your enjoyment or cause stress throughout your holiday.
