If you want to see how the real local Italians enjoy their natural hot springs, check out the more natural Bagno San Fillipo, south of Pienza. It has huge, white mineral encusted formations... some over 80 feet tall. It's very interesting to talk to locals and find out why they bathe in such stinky waters... and learn tricks, like only using an old bathing suit because it's not easy to get the smell out after bathing. Or... try a free bath at Parco dei Mulini in Bagno Vignoni (which has a beautiful, formal Roman bath in the middle of the town itself). You can also check out Petriolo, another natural hot springs frequented by local Italians... closed to Florence. Last but not least is Saturnia... which goes back to the times of the Etruscans. BTW... keep in mind, that some of these waters are much hotter in summer and cool down as winter comes. --Jerry Finzi
Kata.Here is a link to many various wind instrument makers, repair craftsman and more. Perhaps you can find some contacts that can help guide you. I have heard that Bologna has a wonderful conservatory with all sorts of courses.... https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.latromba.it/rip.htm&prev=search --Jerry FInzi
I'll give you several options:In the north, within reach of Florence, Pisa and Venice (for excursions), try Lucca. It is a wonderful town with a walled park/promenade and amazing architecture.In Southern Tuscany, you will love staying in the only truely flat-topped hilltown--Pienza. It's a gem of a renaissance town within driving distance of Florence and Siena and even for excursions into Umbria. Nearby you can find natural hot spring baths (Bagno Filippo is free), walled towns, the clay hills (Crete Sinese), fields of sheep and sunflowers (late in summer) and much more. For the Naples region, stay in a small Amalfi town (with a _small_ car rental) like Minori or Atrani. These are more work-a-day towns on the Amalfi coast within driving range of Naples, Pompei/Herculaneum, the Greek temples of Paestum, and the Mountain cliff towns of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. For the south I'd recommend renting a harborside apartment in Molfetta, Puglia. You can do day trips to the Gargano peninsula to have amazing beach adventures, eat at a Trebucci (stilt fishing shacks), visit the Trulli town of Alberobello, Lecce--the "Florence of the South", the caverns at Grotte di Castellana and eat the legendary bread at Altamura. Molfetta itself is beautiful! Have a great trip,--Jerry Finzi
Prebooking isn't really necessary. We did it, but it's easy enough to get your tickets at the station. The machines are easy enough to use... the real advantage is flexibility. We felt pressured to get to the station at a particular time and date. It depends on how rigid--or flexible--you want your Voyage to be.
On some of the apartment rental sites you can send messages directly to the renter. Some will ngotiate lower rates if you explain that you want to rent for long-term. Good luck!
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If you want to see how the real local Italians enjoy their natural hot springs, check out the more natural Bagno San Fillipo, south of Pienza. It has huge, white mineral encusted formations... some over 80 feet tall. It's very interesting to talk to locals and find out why they bathe in such stinky waters... and learn tricks, like only using an old bathing suit because it's not easy to get the smell out after bathing. Or... try a free bath at Parco dei Mulini in Bagno Vignoni (which has a beautiful, formal Roman bath in the middle of the town itself). You can also check out Petriolo, another natural hot springs frequented by local Italians... closed to Florence. Last but not least is Saturnia... which goes back to the times of the Etruscans. BTW... keep in mind, that some of these waters are much hotter in summer and cool down as winter comes. --Jerry Finzi
Kata.Here is a link to many various wind instrument makers, repair craftsman and more. Perhaps you can find some contacts that can help guide you. I have heard that Bologna has a wonderful conservatory with all sorts of courses.... https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.latromba.it/rip.htm&prev=search --Jerry FInzi
I'll give you several options:In the north, within reach of Florence, Pisa and Venice (for excursions), try Lucca. It is a wonderful town with a walled park/promenade and amazing architecture.In Southern Tuscany, you will love staying in the only truely flat-topped hilltown--Pienza. It's a gem of a renaissance town within driving distance of Florence and Siena and even for excursions into Umbria. Nearby you can find natural hot spring baths (Bagno Filippo is free), walled towns, the clay hills (Crete Sinese), fields of sheep and sunflowers (late in summer) and much more. For the Naples region, stay in a small Amalfi town (with a _small_ car rental) like Minori or Atrani. These are more work-a-day towns on the Amalfi coast within driving range of Naples, Pompei/Herculaneum, the Greek temples of Paestum, and the Mountain cliff towns of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. For the south I'd recommend renting a harborside apartment in Molfetta, Puglia. You can do day trips to the Gargano peninsula to have amazing beach adventures, eat at a Trebucci (stilt fishing shacks), visit the Trulli town of Alberobello, Lecce--the "Florence of the South", the caverns at Grotte di Castellana and eat the legendary bread at Altamura. Molfetta itself is beautiful! Have a great trip,--Jerry Finzi
Prebooking isn't really necessary. We did it, but it's easy enough to get your tickets at the station. The machines are easy enough to use... the real advantage is flexibility. We felt pressured to get to the station at a particular time and date. It depends on how rigid--or flexible--you want your Voyage to be.
On some of the apartment rental sites you can send messages directly to the renter. Some will ngotiate lower rates if you explain that you want to rent for long-term. Good luck!
One great resource is the Dual Citizenship page on FZB... https://www.facebook.com/groups/23386646249/?fref=nf. Good luck!