Hi! I am planning a wedding for 10-20 people next may(2007). none of us have visited italy before. My fiance and I decided on italy because of the georgeous pictures of tuscany - rolling hills, cypress lined roads...I would also love to live close enough to a major city to allow our guests an opportunity to enjoy both city and country life. most of my guests are older and would'nt make this trip otherwise. therefore being close to public transportation is important for travel between the country and city(i would hate to babysit them). for all of the above reasons I thought the chianti region would be perfect since it would be within 1/2 hour from florence. but from the pictures i've seen val'd orcia seems more picture perfect. but it looks too far from rome!
Susan, I think you nailed it; for proximity to Florence (and Siena), Chianti serves you well bu the pictures you describe are of the Val d'orcia.
Instead of relying on public transportation, perhaps a driver with a van might work? Another option, off the top of my head, basing not too far from Chiusi (Montepuliciano is maybe 25 minutes). From the train there, your guests can easily visit Arezzo, Florence, and I believe Orvieto.
I think the answer is obvious,Siena!(southern end of the Chianti Classico area) Nice medium sized town- easy transport,near the countryside- Perfect.RR
Hi! I am sorry but I did'nt understand your e-mail. Where you suggesting Chiusi or Montepulciano? Is the landscape similar to Val d'orcia? Alternatively,is is possible to visit Val d'orcia for day trips from the chianti region?Also does anyone know websites with pictures that show the differences in landscape between chianti and Val d'orcia?
Thanks, Sudhin
quote:
Originally posted by Kim: Susan, I think you nailed it; for proximity to Florence (and Siena), Chianti serves you well bu the pictures you describe are of the Val d'orcia.
Instead of relying on public transportation, perhaps a driver with a van might work? Another option, off the top of my head, basing not too far from Chiusi (Montepuliciano is maybe 25 minutes). From the train there, your guests can easily visit Arezzo, Florence, and I believe Orvieto.
I was suggesting somewhere between Montepulciano and Chiusi . Or as Robert suggested, Siena - though I'm not familiar with public transportation from Siena to the surrounding area.
Here's a view from Montalcino, towards Val D'Orcia:
Here's a shot in Chianti (from heathdon):
Both of these and plenty more can be found by clicking on slowphotos (link to the right).
Thank you guys. A follow up question : What is the range to expect for a villa/agriturismo rental for 1 week, for 15-20 people? I would like to have a private chef to cook breakfast and dinner. Is this possible on a budget. Also renting a van to ferry guests around? I am on a limited budget! Will costs vary between areas in tuscany. This is for May 2007.
We just returned from Tuscany and spent 5 days in Cortona. We stayed at Relais Villa Baldelli. What a beautiful place for a wedding. The villa has been beautifully restored and the rooms are large and tasefully decorted in a typical Tuscan style. The gounds are beautiful and the staff extremely accommodating. The small elegant restaurant had the best and most extensive breakfast we had in Italy. They also serve dinner and can have outdoor dining. Cortona is a wonderful town with beautiful views and is a good base for visiting towns in Val d'Orica.
Posts: 1122 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
Hi Susan - you have asked one of those questions that is really hard to answer - namely, what will it cost. I think the best answer to that is to check out the websites for several vacation rental agencies, where you will find a wide range of prices, based on location, amenities and other factors. You can find a good list of such agencies right here on Slow Travel, by visiting The Slow Travel Favorites list of rental agencies.
For example, the villa in Cortona mentioned above has room rates of 220 -330 euros per day per room; when researching places for our group of 18 to stay last May, we found places that rented by the week for much less.
Happy planning and best wishes.
Posts: 2057 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
hi! that is my problem too - a wide range of prices. I have seen villas quoted between $4000 E (with amenities like tranfer between airport and villa)and $7000 E(bare-bones).
Also does anybody have a sample quote for vans and chefs?
Susan, use the find button above and do a search on Tuscany and Wedding, you're sure to come up with some information. Also don't forget to check out our Classifieds for rentals, drivers, etc.
Lastly, here's a link to a dozen or so previous discussions in our FAQ section: Getting Married in Italy. Happy Hunting
The problem I could forsee with having a rural location is transport.One van would not be enough.Everyone will probably want to do different things when they get there early or leave late.A bunch of cars would not be great either.How about staying in a medium sized town like Siena,which has good access to more rural areas and then for the wedding day bus folks to a more rural location where you can also have a reception.RR
Hi! When you talk about siena having access to rural areas , are you talking about via rail or bus? also are any of the tuscan towns close to the train that runs between rome and florence? or any train that runs to florence?
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Rainey: The problem I could forsee with having a rural location is transport.One van would not be enough.Everyone will probably want to do different things when they get there early or leave late.A bunch of cars would not be great either.How about staying in a medium sized town like Siena,which has good access to more rural areas and then for the wedding day bus folks to a more rural location where you can also have a reception.RR
Robert is talking about access by private vehicles. Public transportation (you can search "public transportation, Tuscany' (or Siena)using the find button to see what others have said on the subject)is spotty in rural areas.
I think before you can begin to settle on a location you need to read the trip planning information, take a look at related websites such as the Trenitalia (Italian railway) site, and visit your library or bookstore and look at Italy guidebooks so you have a better sense of the area and its possibilities.
By the way - this is a question I have wanted to ask for quite some time, as there have been many posts by brides-to-be (Kim pointed you to the "Getting Married in Italy" section). How did you decide that transporting a whole family/frineds group half way around the world to a place you do not know except in photos and from movies was how you wished to celebrate your marriage? It amazes me (and I got married almost 45 years ago) to think of trying to plan a major life milestone event working almost totally in the dark! I can still remember the stresses of planning a wedding in my own community, at my own church, with my own minister - let alone adding the stresses of the unknown. Brave woman!
Posts: 2057 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
this was'nt my idea either. My fiance and I wanted out immediate family(4 others) to accompany us on a family vacation. we wanted a very simple wedding. just town hall and dinner at the rental villa.we assumed that no one would want to come all the way to italy(costs!). apparently a lot of our family and friends could care less about the money! they want a vacation too!so now I am stuck with this but am enjoying the surprise factor in it!
quote:
Originally posted by Motherjudy: Robert is talking about access by private vehicles. Public transportation (you can search "public transportation, Tuscany' (or Siena)using the find button to see what others have said on the subject)is spotty in rural areas.
I think before you can begin to settle on a location you need to read the trip planning information, take a look at related websites such as the Trenitalia (Italian railway) site, and visit your library or bookstore and look at Italy guidebooks so you have a better sense of the area and its possibilities.
By the way - this is a question I have wanted to ask for quite some time, as there have been many posts by brides-to-be (Kim pointed you to the "Getting Married in Italy" section). How did you decide that transporting a whole family/frineds group half way around the world to a place you do not know except in photos and from movies was how you wished to celebrate your marriage? It amazes me (and I got married almost 45 years ago) to think of trying to plan a major life milestone event working almost totally in the dark! I can still remember the stresses of planning a wedding in my own community, at my own church, with my own minister - let alone adding the stresses of the unknown. Brave woman!
Always one to try to figure out how to delegate responsibility to others, here's an idea -- find a place with multiple apartments. Reserve one (an apt. for 2, ideally, so you will have your privacy) - give everyone else who has voiced an interest in joining you the website and reservation information, and leave it up to them to make their own arrangements.
Just browsing recent posts on this board I found Jane's reference to a place that might be perfect for you -- it's a Slow Travel favorite, and there are several reviews - it is San Antimo If you look at the various links on the website you will see photos, information about the nearest rail line, prices and more. (now do you know why they call me motherjudy?)
Posts: 2057 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Wow, Susan, I don't think I could do it. I'll throw one more idea out for you, spend a little money upfront and contact a travel consultant - the money you spend upfront could really save you some major headaches later on. We have several that post on this board, and also check our Travel Consultant Classifieds. I really think it will be money well spent.
Thanks motherjudy and kim. this is why i am planning on hiring a wedding planner who has agreed as part of her contract to help with accomodations for the guests. she is charging $1000 E but I think its worth it,right?
Are rural areas really that hard to get to? should i really stay in the city(siena)? has anybody else arranged transportation for groups of (hopefully) varying interests? I am starting another post in this forum for after wedding travel suggestions so please reply.
I started to update our FAQ section (still need to finish), but here's one on Transportation in Tuscany. Though these threads are from 2003 and earlier, I don't think much has changed and if I recall correctly, the overall opinion was don't rely on public transportation for small town (i.e., rural travel there). From my own experience, it's fine going between major destinations (e.g., Florence, Siena, Lucca, Arezzo).
While it is possible to get around Toscana via public transportation, the schedules are rather infrequent and the service can be erratic and/or limited. I just checked on AutoEurop and a 7 passenger van is only $1300 a week a 9 passenger Fiat Ducato is less (looks less comfortable too). If your group can swing getting vans it will make transportation a relatively minor matter (getting lost still remains an issue but that is part of the fun). If you do have the vans, it gives you the freedom to stay pretty much anywhere and you may wind up saving a lot on your villa rental compared to staying in a base like Siena.
I know how groups of that size behave from visits with my wife's family.Trying to get people into possibly only two vans would lead to a lot of frustration,waiting etc.If I went to a rural function like that I would have my own car for sure and let the others be frustrated. Ideally if you found a large house or group of houses maybe the wedding and reception could be there.RR
Susan, I attended a wedding in the summer of 2004 in Tuscany. You can read my trip report here. The Abbazia di Spineto has a wedding planner on site who was very helpful to the bride.
gloria
Posts: 982 | Location: San Francisco bay area | Registered: 12 May 2003
Hi! My fiance and I are definitely planning on renting a car for ourselves and am planning on asking our guests to do so. BUt I know they won't because they are'nt adventurous and will look to me for a solution. Though a 7 person van for $1300 is way above my budget. If I can find a tour/transportation company that has several options, I can ask my guests to contact them for their individual tour/travel needs. I will have the reception in the same villa we rent and will provide transportation to the civil ceremony and back. What do you think? this way they don't have to get on the same van if they don't want to. my fiance and I are envisioning a week of individual interests, integrated only with a common home base. Hopefully it will work!
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Rainey: I know how groups of that size behave from visits with my wife's family.Trying to get people into possibly only two vans would lead to a lot of frustration,waiting etc.
Topic Closed
. Or as Robert suggested, Siena - though I'm not familiar with public transportation from Siena to the surrounding area.
