Planning
Plan your villa holiday in Tuscany
Planning a villa holiday in Tuscany comes down to three decisions: where to stay, when to go and what it will cost. These guides answer each one, then cover how renting a villa works and the practical side of your stay, from airports and driving to villa staff and private chefs. Start with the step you’re on.
Start planning
01
Choose your area
Wine country, hill towns or the coast: compare the bases by the holiday you want.
Choosing your villa base02
Choose your dates
Pool season, quieter months and what each time of year is best for.
Best time to visit03
Understand your budget
What a villa costs by season and size, and what a quote includes.
What a villa costs
01
Where to stay
Find a base that fits the places you want to explore.
Start here
Choosing your villa base
Use the villa-area map and comparison to choose a base for your holiday.
Map of Tuscany
Locate towns and villa areas, compare driving routes and download a printable map.
Tuscany’s regions explained
Explore the landscapes, towns and character of each area.
Where is Tuscany?
Where Tuscany is in Italy, what borders it, and travel times from Rome, Milan and Venice.
Tuscany or Umbria?
Compare the two regions side by side, or stay on the border and have both.
Tuscany or Provence?
Cities, landscape, food, wine and the best months, side by side.
Villas for two
Private suites and small villas for a couple, on estates with spas and restaurants.
02
When to visit
Compare the seasons, then explore your travel month.
Start here
Best time to visit Tuscany
Choose your dates around pool days, sightseeing, celebrations or quieter travel.
Tuscany weather
Compare monthly temperatures, rainfall and regional differences.
Florence weather
Plan city days around Florence’s summer heat and cooler seasons.
How many days?
What fits in three, five, seven and ten or more days, and where to base yourself.
03
Choosing your villa
Work out which accommodation and arrangements suit your group.
Start here
Planning a family villa holiday
Consider bedrooms, pool safety and the needs of different generations.
Villa or hotel?
Compare privacy, service, shared spaces and cost per guest.
Italian accommodation types
Understand villas, agriturismi, fattorie and other countryside stays.
Choosing a villa rental company
Know what to ask about representation, support and booking arrangements.
04
Budget and booking
Understand the costs and what happens between enquiry and arrival.
Understanding rates and extras
Read a villa quote and check inclusions, additional services and charges.
How renting works
Follow the steps from checking availability to contracts, deposits and arrival.
When to book
How far ahead to book for each season, Easter and weddings.
05
Getting here and your stay
Plan the journey and the details of your week in Tuscany.
Start here
Choosing an airport
See airports on the villa-area map and compare arrivals, including options for US travellers.
Airports in Italy
Italy's main international airports by region, and which to use for Tuscany.
Driving in Tuscany
Prepare for car hire, restricted city centres and countryside roads.
Golf courses and nearby villas
Locate selected courses and compare villa bases, guest access and estate stays.
A seven-day Tuscany itinerary
Use the day-trip map to plan outings around your villa’s location.
Villa staffing
Understand the roles, hours and services to check before booking.
Arranging a private chef
Explore meal arrangements and the questions to ask about menus and costs.
Ready to choose a villa?
Share your dates, guest numbers and plans. Smaranda will help you narrow the options, usually replying within one working day.