Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Booking Your Accommodation
It is wise to book well ahead for all accommodation, particularly in Florence and Siena and
along the coast in summer. Note that in busy periods, some hotels may impose a multinight
stay (this usually applies at beach hotels over July and August, and always applies in Siena
during the Palio). Country hotels,
locande
(inns), villas and
agriturismi
often close in
winter.
Most hotels will give you the choice of a
camera doppia
(room with twin beds) or a
camera matrimoniale
(room with double bed)
.
Many hotels do not have
camera singola
(single rooms); instead, lone travellers will pay a slightly reduced price for a double room.
Credit cards are accepted at many - but not all - places to stay. MasterCard and Visa are
more widely accepted than American Express or Diners Club International. When booking
directly with the hotel, a deposit of up to 30% may be requested.
AGRITURISMI
Agriturismi
(farm stay accommodations) have long been popular in Tuscany. By definition, an
agritur-
ismo
is required to grow at least one commercial crop, but beyond this common thread they can run the
gamut from a rustic country house with a handful of olive trees to a luxurious country estate with an at-
tached vineyard to a fully functioning farm where guests can help with the harvest. They are vital to
small communities, as they inject money into local economies, provide employment and often cross-
subsidise the production of artisanal farm produce. In many ways, they embody the concept of Slow
Travel - we love them to bits, and have recommended many of them in this topic.
Useful Resources
Associazione Italiana Alberghi per la Gioventù
(Association of Italian Youth Hostels | AIG;
www.aighostels.com
) Affiliated with Hostelling International (HI).
Campeggi e Villaggi Turistici
(Camping & Holiday Villages in Italy | TCI) An annually published list (in
Italian) of all Italian camping grounds published by Touring Club Italiano (TCI). Available from bookshops
throughout the region.
Camping.it
(
www.camping.it
)
Useful website listing camp sites across the region.
Club Alpino Italiano
(CAI;
www.cai.it
)
Has a database of CAI-operated
rifugi
(mountain huts).
Locande d'Italia
(Slow Food Editore) Compendium of Slow Food-recommended accommodation. Pub-
lished in Italian only; available from bookshops throughout the region.
