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Copyright © 2009 Alice Esposito
Tuscany has been one of the top travel destinations in the world ever since Percy Bysshe Shelley decided that it was the place that would welcome his poetry. It stands to reason that accommodations in a place that is as popular as Tuscany, Italy, a traveler would have not only a large amount of options for hotels, apartments and country houses; but would also find a little advice useful. This is especially true for the seasoned traveler that is considering taking the plunge into buying a vacation home.
The real estate savvy say that there are three important things to know about a property: location, location, location. This applies to property one is renting or buying. So whether you are sifting through lists of country houses in Tuscany that are for sale or perusing short-term apartment rentals; location is the first thing to think of.
Florence, of course, is the largest city in the region and if art, culture and fashion are your key interests then you only need to narrow it down to neighborhood. This leaves all the rest of the region for consideration.
When you visit Italy and are searching for accommodations in Tuscany for a short - term vacation, other than location you should consider transportation and proximity to other destinations. Transportation is key. There WILL be a transportation strike, numerous times per year, in fact. Even if you have no desire to ever leave your well-stocked country house in the hills of Tuscany, you may on the day of a strike, and the cost and availability of a rental car on those days will astound you.
Being within a short distance of a train station is a blessing. Trains crisscross Italy like a well embroidered pillow. You can get from point A to Z and everywhere in between using trenitalia.it. If you are staying in a short term rental it is also good to have full clarification on utility costs and whether they are included in the cost of rent; these can add a nasty surprise to your credit card statement.
If you are among those that are lucky enough to be in a position to be leafing though catalogs of the Tuscany properties for sale and either buying a second home or relocating entirely to the homeland of Chianti, then there are additional things to ponder. The first is a car. It is actually more difficult for a non-Italian to buy a Fiat in Tuscany than a country house in Tuscany.
So when you see that treasure of multi-century aged, postcard farmhouse or villa, make sure that you will be able to conveniently go buy a liter of milk. If Italy in general, and Tuscany in particular have drawn you with their Siren song enough to contemplate purchasing one of the beautiful properties for sale, either in the hills or along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea; there are only a limited number of caveats.
Virtually nothing will be open Sunday's, except for restaurants and shops in tourist areas. You must become accustomed to long conversations over small, intensely flavored coffees. Your neighbors will actually want to know you.
About the Author:
Alice Esposito works as group booking manager for Podere Casalino, a quiet bed and breakfast in the Florence surrounding, just among the Chianti hills. Learn more at: http://www.poderecasalino.com/
Read more of Alice Esposito's articles.
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