| "body"> | | | | - Facilities - Rent where there are lots of on site |
| It's a dilemma, no doubt about it! Heather and | | | | facilities - pool, tennis, mountain bikes, horse riding, |
| Michael both agree, it's going to be a scorcher this | | | | wine bar, restaurant, football school, cookery |
| summer BUT not anywhere north of the channel | | | | school etc. saves on rental costs and keeps kids |
| and the super saver, buy one get four free | | | | busy without having to travel. |
| industrial size bottles of sun factor 50 total | | | | - Rent in a Village or within walking distance to |
| sunblock are cluttering up the bathroom shelf and | | | | amenities. Save on travel money. Many villas sit |
| then to top it all, they tell you there's a credit | | | | on the edge of a village, meaning they still feel like |
| crunch. What's the answer? If you holiday at | | | | they are in the countryside but are near the local |
| home you're in danger of getting mildew and not | | | | shops, restaurants etc |
| many people find web feet attractive in a woman. | | | | -Use Public Transport - Tuscany is well served by |
| Well, as my old grandmother used to say - | | | | trains, buses etc. There are great value weekly |
| skinÄ...Ä? jeden jest tak dobry jak | | | | passes and family passes can save you up to |
| mrugniÄ(TM)cie do niewidomych | | | | 20%. Ask at the local tourist office or train |
| kotów (she was from Gdansk, never | | | | station for more info. |
| understood a word she said). But I reckon what | | | | - Pedal Power - fun, good exercise and cheap. |
| she was probably trying to say was - Credit | | | | Rent bikes for your holiday transport. Bikes can |
| crunch or no credit crunch, we all need a break in | | | | be picked up in Florence or even delivered to |
| the sun, and if we can save a few bob too, then | | | | your villa. |
| all the better. | | | | - Food - buy your basics at one of the many |
| Here's our guide to "Tuscany on a Shoestring - | | | | discount stores ( eg. the local Coop supermarket's |
| how to have a fantastic holiday in the middle of a | | | | own brand goods), use the local village markets |
| credit crunch" | | | | for the special ingredients. Choose what's in |
| - Flights - A number of the budget airlines fly into | | | | season, it's fresher and you'll save. Although not |
| Tuscany. These days things change so rapidly, | | | | strictly "Tuscan", if you happen to be in Florence |
| you can't assume that booking early or last | | | | on a Sunday, you can get a good lunch at Ikea |
| minute will get you the best offer. airlines | | | | (kids lunch EUR1) it's out near the airport. |
| constantly change the offers/dates/prices | | | | - Drink - Many Tuscan wineries (especially the local |
| conditions , just to keep us all on our toes. Sign | | | | cooperative wineries called "cantine sociale") sell |
| up for all the budget airline's newsletters. Offers | | | | bulk wine by the Litre. One even has "wine" petrol |
| go fast, if you see a great deal, grab it. Even if | | | | pumps, one for red and one for white! Take along |
| you're not certain about accommodation etc, if | | | | a 5, 10, 25 or 50 Litre container and stock up. |
| you wait too long the offer will probably have | | | | Prices start from an incredible 75p per liter. |
| gone. | | | | - Festas - Throughout the year, many towns and |
| - Be Flexible - If you can, travel midweek or early | | | | villages in Tuscany have local festivals, usually |
| in the morning or late in the evening or just | | | | based on some local event or local dish (bean |
| before or after a major holiday. Try to travel | | | | festival, steak festival, fish festival etc) Look out |
| when others don't and you can save lots. | | | | for posters advertising festa dates. Experience a |
| Although most villas in Tuscany rent Saturday to | | | | slice of "real Tuscany" and dine on good, tasty |
| Saturday, arriving a day or so before or leaving a | | | | local food and wine, prepared by the local women. |
| day or two after gives you the chance to see | | | | Great prices and the sunset is free. |
| new places (a day in Pisa visiting the leaning tower | | | | - Be Creative - some of the most memorable |
| or a day or two at the beach before checking in | | | | experiences are free. Paint a picture of the sunset |
| to your country villa). | | | | over the Chianti hills, whilst sharing a bottle of |
| - Arrival Airport - As the budget airlines don't fly | | | | Chianti. Picnic in a local olive grove. A bbq around |
| into Florence airport, most people think of Pisa as | | | | the pool. None of them cost much but you'll |
| the only Tuscan airport. However, as many villas | | | | treasure the memories for ever. |
| are a couple of hours drive from Pisa it's worth | | | | - Stand up - In many bars especially in the cities |
| considering some other arrival airports too. | | | | you pay more if you sit down to drink your |
| Bologna, Forli, Perugia, even Rome is within | | | | coffee. Act like a local, stand at the bar and save! |
| travelling distance. Most are within a couple of | | | | - Days out - Think of things to do that last for a |
| hours of Central Tuscany and because they're not | | | | while. A relaxing day at the thermal springs, an |
| the obvious first choices it can be easier to save | | | | evening 10 pin bowling. None of them are costly |
| on flights. Although further away, we have even | | | | for a whole day or evening. Remember to always |
| used northern Italian airports such as Bergamo, | | | | ask for discount offers or family passes. |
| Verona, Brescia, Treviso and Venice. If you | | | | - Bring your Laptop - DVD's keep the kids |
| manage to get great flight prices and treat it as | | | | amused in the evening. Check if your villa has a |
| part of your holiday (Verona is a stunning city, | | | | computer you can use. Costs zero. |
| Venice is one of the most beautiful cities on | | | | -Designer Outlets - Tuscany has the best. Save |
| earth), then it's a real win-win situation. | | | | gazillions on Prada, D & G, Armani etc. If |
| - Pack Light - Ladies (Ok, and guys too!!) On a | | | | you're going to tighten your belt, make sure it's a |
| week's trip to the sun you really can pack enough | | | | designer one! Val di Chianaoutlet village near |
| in a hand luggage sized case. In summer in | | | | Arezzo and Barberino outlet village north of |
| Tuscany, you rarely need heavyweight clothes. | | | | Florence are the biggest. Many outlets aren't |
| Lazing by a pool you don't need to wrap up. | | | | publicized, so you need to know where they are. |
| Check with your villa that they supply pool towels. | | | | Villa specialist, Rent a Villa in Tuscany supplies a |
| By travelling light, you'll save money, time and the | | | | handy info pack when you book your villa with |
| planet. | | | | them. |
| - Villa Seasons - Because most Tuscan villas are | | | | - Phone Calls - make sure you've signed up for |
| rented by the owners, there are no standard | | | | any international deals for calls and text |
| seasons. Each owner decides on their own | | | | messages. You can also rent a mobile phone , |
| seasons. When seasons change from high to low | | | | gives great rates when in Italy. |
| etc can vary widely from owner to owner. Take | | | | -Xmas Shopping Trip |
| time to check a villa's seasons. Sometimes Italian | | | | Why not experience Tuscany in autumn and |
| holiday periods are considered high season, if UK | | | | winter with great low season prices and delicious |
| holidays are different (half term breaks for | | | | Autumn flavours with your Xmas shopping! Great |
| example) you can make a saving. By booking the | | | | outlets, wonderful city centre shopping. Many |
| week before or after season changes you can | | | | properties can offer less than a week's stay off |
| save thousands. | | | | season. |
| - Book Early - If you inquire early many owners | | | | - Don't see anything that suits - Just Ask! |
| will offer this year's prices for next year or even | | | | Things change daily - offers, discounts, last minute |
| the year after. Many also offer extras such as | | | | deals etc it's even possible to get a fantastic last |
| special dinners etc included in the price for early | | | | minute offer on a large villa for a smaller group. If |
| booking. | | | | you don't see anything that suits you, Just Ask! |
| - Think Big - share a bigger villa with a group of | | | | We all need a break especially when times are |
| family or friends.. Many larger villas have excellent | | | | tough. |
| facilities - tennis courts, Jacuzzis etc. A 20 person | | | | We hope you find our - "Tuscany on a Shoestring |
| villa shared by three or four families can work out | | | | - how to have a fantastic holiday in the middle of |
| cheaper than a number of individual apartments. | | | | a credit crunch" advice useful and hope to see |
| Apart from being fun it can also be extremely | | | | you here in Tuscany, relaxing under the Tuscan |
| good value. | | | | Sun sometime soon. |