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Destination Information for Tuscany


Europe > Italy

Tuscany


Review : Tuscany

Could I cater for more in Tuscany?
From the Mail on Sunday
Tuscany, as everyone knows, is the middle-classes' Benidorm, Umbria the up-market Costa del Sol. On sunny afternoons in Spoleto or Siena, you'd be hard-pressed to spot an Italian among milling Nigels and Lucindas, guidebooks in hand, peering up at Romanesque vaulted porches or talking about dining at the Braggs's villa tonight.
It's as if all Islington has been bussed to central Italy. Still, they're not wearing Union Jack shorts or wrecking pavement cafes. And, as I'd have two small children, Betty and Bill, and an elderly father in tow (none of whom could be expected to walk far) a Tuscan farmhouse complete with pool and surrounded by some of Italy's finest architectural treasures seemed ideal.
The Casa Rosa, in the village of Palazzone on the Tuscany/Umbria border, wasn't easy to find in the twisting twilight lanes, especially as we'd dawdled too long in the beautiful square before Orvieto's splendidly ornate cathedral. And when we arrived at what we thought was the house, we were informed - in a guttural German voice - it wasn't the Casa and we were sent packing.
After another hour driving round the lanes, hopelessly lost in the dark, we found a telephone and spoke to the local representative of the tour company in pidgin Italian. The mystery was solved: the Germans had been lying. The Casa Rosa was a great big place, split into two villas with a shared pool. Either that or the Germans knew it by another name - Das Rose Haus, perhaps?
In daylight, our new home proved to be a lovely place, relaxed and palatial, with antique furniture in every room. There was just one problem: as it was self-catering accommodation, we were in dire need of supplies.
There was no soap, washing powder, matches, salt and pepper, sugar, or washing up liquid, and precious few lavatory rolls. Nor did we have any fresh food: in Orvieto on a Sunday, we'd been able to find only salmon-coloured pasta and jars of porcini mushrooms in scented olive oil. No matter, we thought, we would stock up in Montepulciano.
Travel guide: Tuscany


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Arezzo
Anghiari, Capolona, Castiglion Fiorentino, Civitella in Val di , Cortona, Laterina, Loro Ciuffenna, Mercatale di Cortona, monterchi, Montevarchi, Pian di Scò, Pieve Santo Stefano, San Giovanni Valdarn, San Giustino Valdarn, Sansepolcro, Stia,
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Barberino di val d'e, Bivigliano, Borg san Lorenzo, Calenzano, Campi Bisenzio, Camucia, Certaldo, Empoli, Firenzuola, Florence - City Centre, Florentine Hills, Gambassi, Impruneta, Incisa in Valdarno, Montaione, Montelupo Fiorentino, Montespertoli, Mugello, Pontassieve, Pratolino, Reggello, rignano sull'arno, San Casciano in Val , San Donato in Fronza, Scandicci, Scarperia, sesto fiorentino, Signa, Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa,
Grosseto Area
Argentario, capalbio, Castiglione della Pe, cinigiano, Civitella Marittima, Magliano in Toscana, Manciano, Massa Marittima, Monte Argentario, Orbetello, Paganico, Pitigliano, Roccastrada, seggiano, Sorano,
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Castig.D.Pescaia/Punta Ala, Maremma,
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Bibbona, Campo nell'elba, Castagneto Carducci, Etruscan Coast - Pisa& Livorno, Marina di Cecina, Piombino, Rio Marina,
Lucca
Altopascio, Aquilea, Bagni di Lucca, Barga, Capannori, Coreglia Antelminelli, Forte dei Marmi, Gallicano, Marina di Massa, Mastiano, Monsagrati, Montecarlo, Nozzano Castello, Pescaglia, Pietrasanta, San Guiliano Terme, Santa Maria del Giudice, Versilia, Viareggio,
Massa Carrara Area
Licciana Nardi, Lunigiana,
Pisa Area
Calcinaia, Capannoli, Casciana Terme , Cascina, cinquale, Fauglia, Peccioli, ponsacco, Pontedera, Tirrenia, Volterra,
Pistoia Area
Lamporecchio, MASSA E COZZILE , Montecatini Terme, Montecatni Alto, Pescia, Pistoia, San Baronto, Serravalle Pistoiese,
Prato
Carmignano,
Siena
Abbadia san Salvator, Asciano, Bett olle, Caselle di Sommacamp, casole delsa, Castel San Gimignano, Castellina inchianti, CASTELLO DI SAN GUSME, Castello di San Gusmè, Castelnuovo Berarden, Castelnuovo D'elsa, Castiglione D'orcia, Cetona, Chianciano, Chianti, Chiusi, Colle Val D'Elsa, Contignano, Montalbuccio, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Monteriggioni, Monteroni dArbia, Monteroni d'Arbia, Monticiano, Murlo, Piancas tagnaio, Pienza, Poggibonsi, Radda in Chianti, San Casciano dei Bagni, san gimignano, Sarteano, Sovicille, Torrita di siena, Ville di Corsano, Volterra & San Gimignano,