• Good idea: prepay hertz for car here in USA, avoids 28% tax in Italy.

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from Julie Gupta Ashish asked that I send you some info on where we stayed while in Tuscany. The place was called Il Portone. It was an old farmhouse that had been converted into several apartments. We both really enjoyed it there. The apartments (at least the two room version) were quite large, clean and had a lot of character...and it was really nice to have a full kitchen in the room. Below is the only link that I could find (granted I didn't look too very long).

http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Toscana/Pisano/Volterra/Alberghi/Portone/index.uk.html

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from Ashish Gupta even though the website only has 1 week long stays, we stayed there for 3-4 nights, and they were ok with it.

I think we paid around $50/night, which was quite the bargain..

I'd look for italy agriturismo or agritourism if you're looking for places in other cities. In my opinion these places have much more character than the usual Hiltons and Marriotts.. they're usually several century old farmhouses and villas that are converted into apartments..

let me know if you have any other questions.

I finally found the reciept from that [incredible] restaurant I was telling you about - its called Villa Poschi Ristorante

Its in Pisa

here' the address: Via Statale Abetone 56010 Pugano di S. Giuliano Terme (Pisa)

tel 050 850 105

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-- MattWalsh - 05 Mar 2002