Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Choosing Your Accommodation
Visitors to Tuscany are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding places to stay, so it pays
to research thoroughly. Always check hotel websites for special deals. We use the follow-
ing pricing system in this topic. Unless otherwise stated, prices quoted are for a double
room with private bathroom and breakfast:
€
up to €110
€€
€110 to €200
€€€
€200-plus
Accommodation Types
»
Affittacamere
A budget room in a private house. Tourist offices can often provide lists.
»
Agriturismo
A working farm or vineyard offering rooms; many have restaurants.
»
Albergo
A hotel; these include business hotels, luxury hotels and characterful midrange choices.
»
B&B
A small guesthouse offering bed and breakfast at a reasonable price. Most offer double rooms with a
private bathroom.
»
Boutique hotel
A growing trend in Tuscan cities, where they often occupy magnificent
palazzi
(palaces).
The Ferragamo fashion empire is a major player in this sector, operating seven properties in Tuscany under its
Lungarno Collection brand (
www.lungarnocollection.com
), as is the Florence-based Whythebest group
»
Country hotel
Tuscan rural retreats come in many varieties. As well as
agriturismi
and villas, you'll find
self-catering apartments in a
borgo
(farm hamlet), spa hotels and resort-style hotels.
»
Foresteria
These offer rooms and dorm beds in religious communities such as monasteries and convents.
Though catering predominantly for pilgrims or people on religious retreats, they are also popular with famil-
ies and budget travellers.
»
Locanda
A country inn offering B&B in rustic surrounds; most will provide dinner if you request this in
advance.
»
Ostello
A hostel offering dorm beds and rooms to budget travellers.
»
Pensione
A small, family-run guesthouse offering B&B. The owners usually live on site.
»
Rifugio
A mountain hut kitted out with bunk rooms sleeping anything from two to a dozen or more people.
Many offer half-board and are open from mid-June to mid-September.
