One of the things we always encourage all our guests to do is to enjoy tours and experiences during their Italian holiday. Bookings For You specialise in providing villa rentals in Italy. But ever since we launched the company, we’ve been passionate about recommending companies to our clients who can help add some extra special touches to their stay via a tour or experience. We’re absolutely certain that this will help to give you a whole new perspective on where you’re travelling. Often they can get you access to hidden gems you’d never have discovered on your own. At other times, they enable you to much better get a feel for the culture, traditions and people of a region or country. However, whatever you get out of it, we can assure you that the experience will always be a positive one. In fact, it can often be the highlight of your trip.
Next year we want to be able to offer our clients more tours and experiences than ever before. So today we’re very proud to be launching a brand new collaboration for 2023 with Vakay in Tuscany. Vakay in Tuscany was set up by good friends Claudio, Leonardo and Alessandro, all of whom live just outside Florence. In fact, as we sit in Bookings For You HQ in Haslemere on the Surrey and West Sussex border, we’re rather jealous of the three of them over there in the beautiful Chianti region of Tuscany. Between them, Claudio, Leonardo and Alessandro have more than 15 years of experience in the tourism industry.
One of the reasons they have quickly managed to impress us is their commitment to ensuring that their guests will always enjoy the best possible service from them. In short, as it says on their website, ‘guests should be at the centre of every decision.’ Funnily enough, this has always been at the heart of every decision we have made since we launched Bookings For You over a decade ago.
In fact, even if you are just looking to book something as simple as an airport transfer, they will still provide the same five star service that they offer on any of their experiences. After all, they realise that even your drive from the airport to your holiday villa will be part of the vacation memories that you take home with you.
The breadth of services they can offer is immense. In fact, it’s so broad that we would encourage you to think of them as your personal concierge. We’ve included a few ideas you may like to consider during your Tuscany holiday, but by no means is this is an exhaustive list. Just think about this as some initial inspiration to get some ideas flowing about some of the things you may like to see and do on your Tuscany vacation. And then get in touch with Claudio, Leonardo and Alessandro so that they can bring your ideas to life. Quote Bookings For You when contacting Vakay in Tuscany to enjoy exclusive discounts.
Wine tasting
What we love about Vakay in Tuscany is that the team will put together a bespoke wine tasting tour for you to help you to discover some absolute gems when it comes to boutique, family-run wineries. They have taken the time to develop great relationships with their owners so that you will have the opportunity to learn about the story of their family, the wine making techniques and traditions, all surrounded by some of the most breathtaking landscapes anywhere in Italy.
Private transfers
If you’re looking for a transfer from the airport to your villa in Tuscany, then Vakay in Tuscany can quote for anything from a car for two to a van for seven. Alternatively, perhaps you fancy having a driver to take you around Tuscany so that you can explore Tuscany’s towns and villages without need to worry about the directions from A to B! Whatever reason you need a car for, Vakay in Tuscany can provide you with a quote.
Chef service
Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated dinner or a traditional lunch cooked by a nonna, a wedding banquet or a breakfast buffet, Vakay in Tuscany can find the perfect chef for your special occasion. What all their chefs will have in common is their desire to use the very best local Tuscan ingredients to create the most delicious meals possible for you to enjoy in the comfort of your Tuscany villa.
Guided tours
One of the other things we love about Vakay in Tuscany is their knowledge and nowhere is this more apparent than in the guided tours and excursions that they can put together for their clients. They reckon that everyone should visit Florence at least once in their life and we couldn’t agree more, but we’d probably argue the same should be said of so many more of Italy’s cities!
However, so much is there to see in places like Florence, Siena and Pisa that it can become rather overwhelming for visitors. Instead, relax and let yourself be guided by Vakay in Tuscany. Trust me – they’ll help you to discover so much more than the guidebooks reveal to their readers. They’ll show you secret spots tucked away from the usual tourist sights, as well as helping you to discover some of the best eating establishments, away from the usual tourist traps. They’ll introduce you to some of the most hospitable and larger than life Italian characters, all of whom will add to your experience to make it even more memorable.
Sailing
Whether you fancy a day on the water or a whole week to tag on to your Tuscany villa holiday, Vakay in Tuscany can help! Many forget how beautiful Tuscany’s coastline is. If you haven’t discovered it for yourself yet, then it’s time to do so! Tuscany has some incredibly beautiful islands. Elba is the largest of these but there are six others that make up the Tuscan Archipelago. These include Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona. This really is paradise for boaters. Think untouched beauty, secluded beaches, hidden coves, charming harbours and fascinating wildlife.
Alternatively, if you fancy exploring a bit further afield, Vakay in Tuscany can also help organise a trip elsewhere along Italy’s coastline. Perhaps you fancy sailing past the Cinque Terre, pulling into port in Portofino on the Italian Riviera or admiring the Amalfi Coast from the Tyrrhenian Sea…. Whichever stretch of Italy’s coastline you want to explore, you will have the option of being on board an elegant sailing boat, a speedy yacht or perhaps even a sophisticated catamaran. All will ensure you can enjoy ‘la dolce vita’ in style.
Golf
With the 44th Ryder Cup being held at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio near Rome in 2023, we reckon Italy is going to go golf mad in 2023! Luckily, Claudio, Leonardo and Alessandro from Vakay in Tuscany have contacts at some of Tuscany’s most prestigious golf courses and can get you booked in to enjoy a round on some of the finest greens in Italy. They may not be able to guarantee a hole in one but they can certainly guarantee a fantastic day out surrounded by some incredible scenery.
Horse riding
For those with a love of horses, Vakay in Tuscany have a range of treks available for both novice and experienced riders. If you fancy combining a couple of experiences in one, you could even enjoy a wine tasting tour in the saddle! It’s a truly unique way to explore the beautiful Chianti countryside, its olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills and stunning views!
Driving experiences
Italy is famous for many things, but its second biggest export is cars. And Italy makes some pretty impressive cars for petrol heads to drool over! Arguably the most famous of these brands is Ferrari. Whilst for most, the opportunity to own a Ferrari will be well out of reach, it doesn’t mean you can’t experience the thrill of being behind the wheel at least once in your life! Vakay in Tuscany can organise a day at the home of Ferrari – the Maranello Racing Circuit – giving you the once in a lifetime chance to drive a Ferrari. Incidentally, this region is the home to Lambrusco, so definitely ask about combining your driving experience with some more wine tasting!
The other way to enjoy an experience in four wheels is to book a driving day in a classic car such as a vintage Fiat 500. Trust me – there is no better way to live la dolce vita than driving through rural Tuscany in a classic car! Either hire a car through them and do your own thing, or head out on a more structured tour to quaint Medieval villages, through ancient vineyards and to spectacular viewpoints. Vakay in Tuscany will be happy to organise a superb lunch mid way through the day should you want them to. Since everything is tailored bespoke to each client, they’ll organise the perfect day just for you.
Cooking classes
One of the reasons we love Italy so much is its food and so we never miss the opportunity to enjoy a cookery class whenever you are in Italy. When it comes to cooking in Italy, so much knowledge is handed down by word of mouth. So for us, there is no better way to learn than directly from an Italian. Every single cooking class we have done has been truly memorable and every single one has given us so many simple tips and tricks that we have continued to use years later.
And remember, a cooking class is a great option for all ages. The children can either get stuck in with the adults or if the adults fancy a break, we can organise a cooking class just for the kids. Perhaps you could put your feet up for once whilst they make lunch for you for a change?!!
Don’t forget – these are just some initial ideas to provide some inspiration. We really would recommend you get in touch with Claudio, Leonardo and Alessandro and the team at Vakay in Tuscany so that they can give you even more possible options for experiences to enjoy during your Tuscany holiday. And don’t forget to quote Bookings For You when contacting Vakay in Tuscany to enjoy an exclusive discount on any booking made with them.