Two topics: Agriturismo and car rental in Florence (automatic)

Posted by frndly37 on 12/24/23 10:36 PM

First of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all RS fans.
You guys have been great in providing insight to me on several occasions so trying it again. I am planning a trip for 4 to Italy last week of May and the first week of June.
1) any suggestions on Agriturismo stays in Tuscany for 2 to 3 nights. The once mentioned in RS guidebook all require 7 day stays. Know of any that is good and open for a shorter stay?
2) Any suggestion on car rental companies in Florence. I am looking for an automatic drive.

Thanks
Dennis

Posted by Rosalyn

Portland

12/24/23 11:05 PM

3603 posts

Re rental cars with automatic: your best bet is to check out consolidators like AutoEurope or Kemwel. You can access lots of different companies through them. You should also be aware that even though you have reserved an automatic, you aren’t guaranteed that one will be available. Maybe have plan B?

Posted by TheOrdinaryRebecca

Michigan

12/24/23 11:10 PM

317 posts

We visited this villa years ago and had lunch, met the owners, etc. Did not stay there but would love to get back and spend a few days. Husband is a tour guide (or was), wife runs the villa, cooks the meals, etc.

http://www.agriturismoilleccio.it/index_en.html

Posted by N_Kingdom

12/25/23 12:36 AM

871 posts

www.agriturismi.it

Posted by Cyn

Colorado Mountains, USA

12/25/23 02:43 AM

7403 posts

This is in Tuscany, but close to the coast, and southwest of some of the more heavily-visited parts. In the Bolgheri wine region, with hilltowns, Etruscan sights, and fabulous food, but not very many art museums, look at Chicca’s Casa Toscana https://cookingintuscany.cc/casa-toscana/ .

We’ve stayed there twice (2021 & 2022), and she also offers cooking classes.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

12/25/23 03:31 AM

15221 posts

Check the vadious websites that specialize in agriturismo accommodations. The article below suggests several.
https://www.freeonline.org/dir/c-305/Agriturismo

For rental cars check AutoEurope (a consolidator based in Maine). They have multiple websites, check all as prices vary:
www.autoeurope.com
www.autoeurope.eu
www.kemwel.com
Auto transmissions are not as popular in Europe as in the US, and generally only on larger models, however Florence has an exorbitant amount of American tourists, many of whom don’t know how to drive manual transmission cars, therefore the Florence locations will almost certainly have auto transmission cars

Posted by madreklf

12/25/23 05:25 PM

32 posts

I would recommend Fonte Bertusi agriturismo in Pienza. From there we were able to go to Montalcino, Montepulciano and other places. Look at the website and you will be hooked. It is one of the places I would love to return to for sure. The owners are so friendly and accomodating and have a huge book with various things you can do. They can book wineries, cooking classes, restaurants, etc. for you.