Travel Details
The Where, The When & The How to Get There
Thursday, September 1st – Sunday, September 4th
Location: Villa Bellaria, Campagnatico, Italia
Our accommodations will be at the Villa Bellaria in the heart of Campagnatico, Toscana. Campagnatico is a small 10th century town of 2,000 inhabitants in the southern part of Tuscany, located on the edge of the first UNESCO world heritage site of Val d’Orcia. This will be the launching point to our Tuscan adventures. At the epicenter of Medieval history, Campagnatico was a fortified town that lived a colorful history, enough to be written about in Dante’s Inferno. The Medici’s of Florence even owned this little fortified hamlet for some time before retaken by the Sienese. For the avid outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, the Val d’Orcia valley offers some of the most scenic views that this world (literally, the planet) has to offer. Whether you want to ATV the rolling hills of Orcia and Mt. Amiata, cycle the hilly roads, or simply sit back and soak up the Tuscan sun with scenic views, you’re bound to find thorough enjoyment in the area. As for you vino folks, Montalcino and other popular Italian wine towns are short 20-30 minute car rides away.
The villa is set in an open countryside with panoramic views, crowned by olive groves and high cypress stroll in the middle of the village, near the villages of Montalcino and Grosseto. The manor house has a large garden, swimming pool, volleyball court and bocce ball field.
Farmhouse in Val d’Orcia after sunset, Tuscany, Italy
We have compiled a lot of information below. Select the heading to read more. If you have any further questions, you can email us by utilizing the link on the bottom right of the page. Other contact information is at the bottom of this page. We are excited to hear from you!
Q & A
I've arrived in Italy (Florence, Rome, or Pisa), now where am I going?
This really depends on which airport you are flying.
The mansion is located in the countryside, so it could make sense to hiring a car.
There are three primary cities where you should plan to arrive: Rome, Florence, & Pisa.
A quick word on renting a car. Campagnatico is a very small town with very narrow streets. Parking will be difficult. If you are OK with parking at the base of the hilltop town and/or OK with driving through narrow streets, then that would be the only time I can recommend this option.
From Rome:
While Rome is the furthest away by distance, the train system is the best connected there, and it will take the same amount of time through public transit as it would to rent a car. If you are planning on touring Rome beforehand and don’t want to drive like the Italians, then this would likely be the easiest city to fly into.
Directions: Take the train to Grosseto. It’s about two hours and ten minutes.
From Grosseto, there are cabs/taxis right outside of the train station that can deliver people to and from the little village of Campagnatico. It’s about a 20 minute drive. There’s also a public bus that leaves four times a day from Grosseto to Campagnatico. It takes an hour through this system.
From Florence and Pisa:
Both Florence and Pisa are about an hour and a half drive to Campagnatico. That said, if you are to take a train from Pisa, expect an hour and fourty-five minutes to two hours and fifteen minutes. From Florence, expect two hours to three and a half hours.
From Grosseto, there are cabs/taxis right outside of the train station that can deliver people to and from the little village of Campagnatico. It’s about a 20 minute drive. There’s also a public bus that leaves four times a day from Grosseto to Campagnatico. It takes an hour through this system.
Should I rent a car?
Train travel is easy and likely most preferable. Transportation arrangements will be made to and from Grosseto through a private tour bus hire. While it isn’t necessary, you could certainly rent a vehicle if you find more convenient. You could always pick one up back in Rome/Florence/Pisa on your way back if you intend to travel further. The train systems in Europe are typically great.
Points to consider when renting a car:
- Must have an International Driver’s Permit
- Be able to drive manual transmission or have a very large wallet
- Italians drive crazy
- Be careful of the autovolexes!!!
- Do not rent one to go to Rome. The transportation system is way too developed and you will regret driving there for the narrow streets, one ways, terrible parking, car damage, traffic, etc. Also, only certain cars are allowed to drive in the center per day.
- Tolls are numerous
“Driving in Italy
ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones)
The historic centres of many cities, towns and villages throughout Italy have ZTLs. These limited zones have been put in place in order to reduce congestion and pollution making the centres more pleasant for residents and visitors alike. The zones in each place will have its own regulations; some zones are restricted to certain hours, some to residents only, some to cars with certain permits. These conditions will be set out underneath the road sign which marks the entrance to the zone. Although the sign is an international driving sign, it is one that some countries do not use, so it is essential that you familiarise yourself with this sign, before you travel to Italy.
Speeding
Pay careful attention to speed restrictions. Again, there are cameras on some roads and motorways and again, if you are caught speeding a fine of over 100 Euros will eventually find you.
There are signs warning of the cameras and the cameras themselves are housed in large grey boxes by the sides of the road. On major motorways there is system they call “tutor” which identifies you at a certain point on overhead cameras and then monitors your progress through a number of similar points. The system works out your average speed and if it decides that you couldn’t have gone that distance without breaking the speed limit, then you can expect a fine in the post.
Of course, you could also be stopped and ticketed by a police officer. The police also have the authority to make an on the spot fine.
Generally speaking, the speed limits are 50km/h in built-up areas, 90km/h on ordinary roads, 110km/h on dual carriages and 130km/h on motorways. In wet weather the limit is reduced to 90km/h on dual carriageways and 110km/h on motorways.”
For more information go here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187893-c140065/Tuscany:Italy:Driving.In.Italy.html
What is the Venue Like?
We will be staying in a Medieval hilltop town called Campagnatico. The Villa Bellaria has been booked at this point. This is a small Tuscan town near Val d’Orcia, so there will be a lot of activities to pick and choose from, including: ATVing the UNESCO heritage site, hiking, wine excursions, playing a god of the arena, and more. You can be as active or as sedentary as you would like. Bring whatever you normally would on a typical vacation.
Weather, Clothing, How Should I Prepare?
Expect the weather to be a high of around 85 degrees and the lows to be in the upper 60’s. Humidity will hover around 75% with no to extraordinarily slight chance of rain.
That being said, don’t forget the staples: your camera sunglasses, swimsuit and sunblock.
How to Travel Lightly, thoroughly, but efficiently?
Try not to bring burdensome suitcases. I bring only carry-ons that I can hoist on my back. Think about trying to travel with ferries, buses, trains, planes, etc. You will be moving a lot with your luggage, so you will want it to be transportable. If you must bring a suitcase, bring a smaller one with wheels. Here’s a sample packing list to help you keep it like.
- Camera – you will regret not bringing one
- Sunglasses
- Day Pack
- Swim Suit
- 5 t-shirts/sundress
- 1 or 2 shorts/skirts
- only one pair of dressy clothes
- oxford, pants, dress, shoes
- Jeans
- light sweater
- comfy pair of walking shoes
- 5 pairs of socks, underwear, etc.
- toiletries
- ipad or other small notebook
- plug adaptor(s)
On the fence about coming? Here's why you should...
- Because you want to and it’s awesome!
- To extend other travel plans: you can go on your own Eurotrip, North African adventure, Turkish Delight-like fun!
- The dollar is stronger than it has been in recent years: the world on sale, so it’s a great time to travel!
- You’re awesome and we’re awesome.
Tips for Staying on a Budget
Airline Tickets –
• Plan in advance
• Visit discount websites
• Don’t worry about $5.00 service fees
• Search for promo codes for Travelocity, Priceline, Cheaptickets, etc.
• Embrace connecting flights
• Travel light
• Purchase round-trip tickets flying in/out of same airports
• Look for red-eye flights
• Build your own price in Priceline Negotiator
• Use rewards points wherever possible
• Plan in advance
• Visit discount websites
• Don’t worry about $5.00 service fees
• Search for promo codes for Travelocity, Priceline, Cheaptickets, etc.
• Embrace connecting flights
• Travel light
• Purchase round-trip tickets flying in/out of same airports
• Look for red-eye flights
• Build your own price in Priceline Negotiator
• Use rewards points wherever possible
Eating –
• Plan Your Meals
• Embrace leftovers for the mini-fridge
• Eat more at breakfast & lunch, less at dinner
• Go to the grocery store
Car Rentals –
• Unnecessary for this trip as a private tour bus will be hired; however, if you must, round trip rentals are a must
• Decline Car Rental Coverage and pay with credit card that includes the coverage
• Do you really need an SUV? Keep it compact
• Fill the gas on your own
• Use promo codes
Transportation –
• Embrace public transport: rails, metros, etc., avoid taxis
• Embrace public transport: rails, metros, etc., avoid taxis
Currency –
• Consider the exchange rate
• Get a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee
• Search Google for best exchange rate ATMs
• While most places will accepts credit cards, Greeks prefer cash transactions, some tavernas and smaller stores will not accept credit cards
• Use local version of same website and book in local currency
Accommodations –
• Got you covered, but if you are continuing your trip beyond this event stay in the neighboring small town rather than the large, destination site
• Use Airbnb, Couchsurfing, etc.
• Ask: sometimes smaller hotel chains are willing to give you free upgrades or even free nights
Shopping & Entertainment:
• Duty Free Stores
• Take advantage of Age, Student and Membership Discounts
Talk to the Locals –
• Be friendly and chat with them. Sometimes, they will tell you where to eat and some may even offer you to stay over – works best in small towns.
Other Important Tips
- Restaurants:
- Italians take siestas typically between 1-4.
- This includes restaurants, grocery stores, and nearly the entire town. Be sure to eat around 12pm to 1pm, or be prepared to wait for dinner.
- Ask for the Check: It won’t be automatically delivered to your table after a meal in a restaurant.
- That doesn’t mean you are being ignored. Food and conversations are to be enjoyed, not rushed. When you are ready to leave, ask for the bill, “il conto, per favore.”
- Tipping/Cover (Coperto):
- Copertos are the amount charged per person to reserve a seat at a table. They are not a ploy to take advantage of you because you are a tourist. While a coperto is not the same thing as a tip, tipping in Italy is not necessary, and never more than 5-10 percent.
- Dinner: It’s between 7:30-9:00 p.m.
- Pressing your hungry face to the restaurant’s window at 6:00 p.m. will not change that. Calling for a reservation, and dressing up for dinner, however, will be appreciated.
- Italians take siestas typically between 1-4.
- Restaurants (Continued)
- Bread: It won’t be served with oil and balsamic vinegar (unless the restaurant caters to Americans), so resist asking the server to provide them.
- Also, bread is not to be eaten with pasta. It’s used to “fare la scarpetta” or “make a little shoe”, to clean the plate of sauce. To do so in a restaurant is a debatable point, so I will let you make that decision! Basically, bread is provided to accompany an appetizer.
- Bread: It won’t be served with oil and balsamic vinegar (unless the restaurant caters to Americans), so resist asking the server to provide them.
- Skin: Not shown so much in Italy. Short skirts, daisy dukes and halter tops do not epitomize the classical fashion taste of Italians. So cover up, unless, of course, you really are at the beach.
- Simplify Your Schedule: Leave time to wander the crooked, ancient streets on your own. Often, just a few blocks from the main attractions, day-to-day life is unfolding. Leave the crowds. Pause to listen to a street performer. Plan some time where you can get off the well beaten path for a gelato, coffee, or traditional meal with the locals. Besides, if you over schedule, you just get grumpy.
- Taxis: You need to call for a taxi, or go to an actual taxi stand. You cannot hail a cab on a street in Italy, although it’s amusing to watch Americans try! The taxi service in Florence is amazingly efficient and punctual, especially when compared to the post office.
- Italian: It’s what is spoken! Learning a few words and common phrases will make a big difference in your experience. Rather than launching immediately in English, and assuming you will be understood, it’s polite to ask, “Parla l’Inglese?”
- Slow Down: You can’t see it all. Trust me on this one. The reason 46 million tourists descend on Italy each year is because there is so much beauty to see and experience. A plethora of culture, art, vineyards, food, and museums — a lifetime is not enough. So, slow down, savor and appreciate what you do see.
- Smile: You’ve made it to a country that has inspired visitors for centuries. Melt into its beauty and lifestyle, its art, music, and literature. Trade smiles with Italians and take home memories of a truly magnificent country, unlike any other in the world.
How do I RSVP?
It’s simple! Click here!
