Just returned from 1 week in Tuscany and 1 week in Rome... a couple of notes: 1- used Rick's pod casts ALOT but found that listening to them before we went was more helpful and then looking at the maps on the app useful once there. Not that we don't like listening to Rick (:-)) but we were a group of 6 and it distracted us a bit to listen and look and enjoy each other's company. 2- rented a villa in Tuscany through rentvillas.com. This is the second time we've done that and they are very good. The place was in Anghiari and a bit east so the travel to Florence, Pisa and Lucca were longer than expected but we also saw a part of Tuscany and Umbria we had not seen before and it was enjoyable. Anghiari is beautiful. 3- Driving in Tuscany was a breeze but rent a small car for parking ease. Also gas is not cheap ($8/gal) 4- The people in Italy are great! My son and I can get by on minimal Italian. My husband doesn't speak any non-English language at all. We did just great even at a local butcher shop! Also, my husband does not eat cheese of any sort and everyone made the effort to accommodate that without any strange looks. He never felt uncomfortable at all. 5- Used homeaway.com for our apartment in Rome and was also very satisfied. Stayed near Campo di Fiore because of the central location and was very pleased with the walking distances.
6- Above all be flexible and explore! It is Italy!
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