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Ah Tuscany….It is the place that so many people dream of visiting, and I was no different. I dreamt of green rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves, of centuries old medieval villages and farm houses, and of drinking wine and eating delicious Italian food. In my dreams, it was an almost magical place that was perfect in every way. When I finally got the chance to travel to Tuscany, I wanted to make my dreams come true.
To try and make the most out of our experience, my wife and I decided that it would be ideal to stay in a villa in the Tuscan countryside. This turned out to be the best decision that we could have made.
Waking up in the morning, I stepped out of the door onto our private terrace. The warm morning sun shined down upon a valley before me that was covered in vineyards, with patches of forest and olive groves. There was no sound apart from the rustle in the trees from a gentle breeze, and when I breathed in there was nothing but crisp fresh air to fill my lungs. All I could do was smile.
The view from the terrace at our villa in Tuscany
We spent our days exploring Tuscany, driving our hire car through the beautiful countryside to explore the Chianti wine region, an area full of little villages, vineyards, farms, forest and some of the best wine in the world. On other days we explored the beautifully preserved medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano, and of course, we took a couple of trips into Florence, the capital of Tuscany and one of the most important art cities in the world.
Siena
Because we had our own villa, we were able to buy fresh produce and groceries to cook meals in our own kitchen, allowing us to get a taste for the lovely local produce while saving us money at the same time. We spent our evenings eating this amazing food, while looking out over the amazing Tuscan countryside with a nice glass of Chianti wine. We were in heaven, and Tuscany was all that I had dreamt that it would be.
Our villa
If you are going to travel to Tuscany for the first time, definitely try to rent a villa. It is the best way to really enjoy this amazing part of the world.
I am a big proponent of renting condos, villas, etc. especially for a stay of a week or so. I find I get a bigger place, a better value, and lets me experience more of the local flavor of the place I am visiting.
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I couldn’t agree more. It is an excellent idea if you are planning on staying somewhere for a decent amount of time.
Looks like you had an amazing time. I love renting villas as it gives you the freedom to cook for yourself or go and dine out. I feel it also gives you so much more freedom and space than just staying in a B&B.
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I couldn’t agree more Jennifer. It really does give you so much more freedom.
I completely agree! My fiance and I are in the midst of looking for villas for rent in Tuscany. We decided to look at Villas because we are staying for an extended period of time. We are having our wedding in Tuscany so we rented a few weeks around the wedding for preparations as well as to relax afterwards. I’ve only been to Tuscany on a tour but I can’t wait to stay there and really see all the sights and experience the culture.
great article… i definitely will be there.. by the way, do you have any experience in doukkala?
How is that place? my future husband decides to start our new life there. I hope I can survive there…hahahaha.. anyway, I love to read all your articles. it helps me a lot in order for me to make a very important decision in my life. villas for rent in mykonos we spent our evenings eating this amazing food while looking out over the amazing Tuscan countryside with a nice glass of Chianti wine. We were in heaven, and Tuscany was all that I had dreamt that it would be.