My FI and I have recently decided to get married in Tuscany. Neither of us are from Italy, nor have we spent much time there, but we found a wonderful wedding planner, and an exquisite villa (outside Volterra), and the rest is history.
I am trying to figure out a few things in the planning process, and thought I could use some advice from some seasoned Italian travellers.
First of all, I am concerned about transportation. Most of my guests have not visited Europe, and I doubt the majority will feel comfortable navigating the streets, even in the country. Does anyone have any recommendations for affordable van services that can provide us with airport transfers and perhaps transportation to a few neighboring areas for trips during the week?
Secondly, I am working on my Save the Dates, and want to include lots of interesting and useful travel information about the area. I have found several online resources, and naturally my wedding planner is helpful, but I was hoping someone might be able to recommend some great things to do, or places to eat or visit while in the Tuscan region (specifically around Volterra). We are considering a tour of a vineyard, along with a trip to Pomplonia, as we would love to visit the sea.
If anyone has any other suggestions, about anything at all, I am eager to hear everything! I am very early in my planning, and enjoying this immensely, I adore talking to anyone who might be familiar with the region =)
Thanks in advance,
Jenny
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Posts: 9 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 23 May 2003
Oh, and the trip is for seven days, although I am encouraging my guests to stay on in Italy after the wedding. We will be there in late May of 2004, centered around Volterra.
Posts: 9 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 23 May 2003
There is a woman here in Firenze (american) that helps with Tuscan weddings. her name is Chandi and she is very knowledgable. her website is www.sogniitaliani.com i'm confident she could help!!!!!!
Check out our web site page of car services: Italy: Planning
There is a good one listed for Tuscany.
There is lots to do in the area where you are staying. You might want to visit Lucca and San Gimignano and Colle Val d'Elsa. Also a day in the Chianti region. A day in Florence. A day in Siena. Do a search on this message board to find other threads about these places.
Also look at our Tour Guides page - it might be a good idea to book a guide for your wedding party group: Italy: Planning - Tour Guides
I met Chandi two years ago in Palo Alto, California! I was working in a travel bookstore, and she was a friend of the owner who'd stopped by to say hello. We got to talking (about Italy, of course! ) and she gave me one of her Sogni Italiani brochures. She seemed very knowledgable.
Posts: 14140 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
I think that when I moved here 20 years ago, the idea of moving to a HILLTOWN, as Siena was described to me,scared me.. Now that I have seen Siena and know it better.. it is one of the most perfect places to live!
quote:Originally posted by Diva: Now that I have seen Siena and know it better.. it is one of the most perfect places to live!But alas.. I am now in my little Certaldo!
Well anytime you want to visit just give me a shout. You can always crash here if you can't make it back home
Back on track.. I have just helped someone I met online organize her weddign.. I will be glad to help you find vans etc. Volterra is out there! I have just organized a tour for a famous chef from SF and got great van rates ( I think) Many of the cities will require a bus fee as well as the van cost.. ie 100 Euro for FLorence and 60 for San Gimignano extra! we got a fee of 280 Euro foe 6 hour days fora bus for 16 people.
My wedding planner, Annie, is based out of Volterra. We are having a total of 37 people, and will all be staying at the Villa di Ulignano for the week (May 22-29,2004)
Posts: 9 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 23 May 2003
Great-- I have been in contact with the owner of Ulignano, seems really nice. You have plenty of time... but watch your costs. the dollar is going down adn my continue so for another year or so....
When you get closer to you date, say 6 month or so... then it is time to confirm buses etc. If you like I can ask around now, but I am sure your wedding planner has info too ( they usually get commission so are glad to help)
We were thinking of doing a tour of Volterra itself, doing a tour of a vineyard in the area, and then taking a day trip to Poplulonia & Baratti, to give us a chance to see the Mediterranean.
I appreciate all of your suggestions! There is so much to think about, it is great to have input from a variety of people who are much more familiar with the area than myself.
Posts: 9 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 23 May 2003
I will ask Chandi to frequent these boards, she's been a bit busy of late as June is her peak month for weddings. She's in Firenze for most of the Summer. Maybe we can all get together for lunch some afternoon when you aren't teaching? we were both talking about you one day and laughed alot when we realized we were speaking about the same person but from two different knowledge bases.
On a side note.....and back on the wedding track. I know a local car service that both I and Maria have used frequently here in Firenze. Marco is excellent and has a big van.
I think that is the car service that is listed on the web page I linked to earlier - Maria sent in that listing for us. - - oops, maybe not, I just checked the page and it is a different name.
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) and she gave me one of her Sogni Italiani brochures. She seemed very knowledgable.
