Our Trip to HGVC Borgo alle Vigne

[JIMinNC]

Putting that aside, for those of you who have visited this Resort. How does it compare to other accommodations in the area? I looked into it for a bit last year, and it felt very secluded and lacking amenities. Curious what everyone's thoughts are.

i'd think being secluded means it's better for staying at the resort, and not so good as a hub. that's my hangup about booking - that it's not actually at anywhere we want to see (Florence for example). that, and the fact that suddenly it's gotten very hard to book and you have to walk for months to get anything in the summer.

It depends on what you are looking for and what you want to see. If Florence is your primary goal, book a nice hotel in Florence. We spent five nights there at the Westin Excelsior during our trip last summer after our week at the Borgo. We loved Borgo alle Vigne because it wasn't in the city and we wanted to experience the wineries in the Tuscan countryside, but there were also a few sights we wanted to see in Florence. Additionally, it was easier to get group tours from Florence to some areas of Tuscany with other great wineries like Montalcino and Montepulciano. Those villages are a longer drive from the Borgo.

Borgo is a great location for visiting the many wineries and hilltop villages in that part of Tuscany. There must be a dozen or more small wineries within a 5 to 10 minute drive of Borgo. Visiting wineries was our main activity during our week. The small villages in the area like Peccioli, Selvatelle, and Capannoli all have excellent small restaurants with fine-dining quality without fine dining prices. Great local wines can be had for just €10-€15 per bottle in restaurants. Sangiovese is the local varietal, but you can also get Cabernets, Merlots, blends, and white wines. The hilltop villages of Volterra and San Gimignano are not far away and private (and some group) tours can be booked though vendors the staff at Borgo can refer you to. A day trip to Pisa or Lucca is also doable.

As far as other accommodations in the immediate area, I did not really see many. I'm sure there are some AirBnBs in the area, there is a small modern local hotel in a newer area of Peccioli, and Italy has a concept called Agritourismo where you stay in a BnB on a farm, but Borgo is not in a big tourist area with lots of other hotels/resorts. Its appeal is as a way to see what life is sort of like in rural Tuscany while staying at a property with HGVC brand-standard quality rather than an unpredictable AirBnB or Agritourismo.

If you want or are expecting a typical European city experience, or a typical HGVC resort experience with lots of on-site activities, you may want to go elsewhere.

 

[jehb2]

Here is a list of towns we visited when staying at Borgo alle Vigne. We live in Texas and use to driving everywhere. We found the location of Borgo alle Vigne to be a really convenient hub. We did spend a night in Venice. Also took the train to Florence as recommended. (We tried to drive to Florence but couldn’t find parking anywhere remotely close to the city.
Florence
Pisa
Sienna
Lucca (Pistoia)
Volterra & San Gimignano
Pienza; San Miniato
Venice

So yes, if your plan is to visit a variety of places in Tuscany this would be a good place for you. Also, there was a nice, big clean supermarket maybe 10 minutes drive. And absolutely bring your own Garmin (GPS).

 

[jehb2]

I would not find driving in congested cities in Italy and worrying about restricted areas an adventure lol. I'd be stressed out.

Also, even small towns have restricted area. Make a point to memorize the sign for “you are entering a restricted area.”

The sign to look for has white circle with a red border over a white background. Above the circle you will see the words 'Zona a Traffico Limitato', and below the circle there will be further information regarding the specific restrictions of that ZTL.

 

[brp]

Also, even small towns have restricted area. Make a point to memorize the sign for “you are entering a restricted area.”

The sign to look for has white circle with a red border over a white background. Above the circle you will see the words 'Zona a Traffico Limitato', and below the circle there will be further information regarding the specific restrictions of that ZTL.

For these places one can often get permits to be able to drive into the ZTL. Definitely don't enter without one...

Cheers.

 

[JIMinNC]

And absolutely bring your own Garmin (GPS).

We found the Maps app on our iPhones worked perfectly fine, so no need for a dedicated GPS. Just like in the US. Our rental car also had Apple CarPlay, so our phones connected to the car and the map displayed on the screen in the car just like at home.

 

[brp]

We found the Maps app on our iPhones worked perfectly fine, so no need for a dedicated GPS. Just like in the US. Our rental car also had Apple CarPlay, so our phones connected to the car and the map displayed on the screen in the car just like at home.

Some years ago, before phones were a thing for this, we did have a Garmin in Marseilles. Well, it seems that something that used to be a road between where we were and the main road we were supposed to be on was no longer a road. Try telling that the version of the mapping software we had...

Cheers.

 

[Talent312]

In Frankfurt, we rented a car that had a built-in GPS.
But it gave us orders in German, which we didn't understand.
We might have been able to change the language to English,
but we were too intimidated.

I prefer using a GPS device over a cell phone.
IMO, the display and directions are easier to see at a glance.
.

 

[JIMinNC]

I prefer using a GPS device over a cell phone.
IMO, the display and directions are easier to see at a glance.
.

I agree if you are trying to look at the phone screen, but have you tried using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? Instead of looking at your phone, the GPS directions are displayed on the big screen in most newer cars, using the same kind of graphic interface you are used to with the phone. Either a cable or a wireless connection links your phone to the screen in the car and that screen becomes the primary display for your phone while in the car. I find Apple CarPlay far superior to most of that native navigation apps that the manufacturers have as an option on most cars and even superior to most dedicated GPS units.

 

[mandl]

I agree with regard to using the Apple car play. We used it in Italy and Scotland. Super easy connection. Bring your own USB cable connector though just in case. On a side note. T Mobile works great in the UK and EU.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

In Frankfurt, we rented a car that had a built-in GPS.
But it gave us orders in German, which we didn't understand.
We might have been able to change the language to English,
but we were too intimidated.

I prefer using a GPS device over a cell phone.
IMO, the display and directions are easier to see at a glance.
.

You can usually ask a person at the rental agency to set the car to English or whatever your preferred language is. That's also helpful for general warning or other messages, not just navigation... used to travel in Europe a lot for work, and learned the hard way to ask about having the language changed.

 

[jehb2]

 

[Blues]

For you, how far of a drive is it - to nearby restaurants and places? Is it 20 minutes, 5 minutes?

I highly recommend La sorgente casa vacanze. It's mostly a vacation property (rental units), but has a wonderful little family-run restaurant on the premises. My DW and I got along famously with all the family, especially the mama who spoke not a word of English (but her son and daughter could act as translator). We were charmed. And the food was terrific. Google Maps shows it as a 4 minute drive from HGVC.

 

[JIMinNC]

I highly recommend La sorgente casa vacanze. It's mostly a vacation property (rental units), but has a wonderful little family-run restaurant on the premises. My DW and I got along famously with all the family, especially the mama who spoke not a word of English (but her son and daughter could act as translator). We were charmed. And the food was terrific. Google Maps shows it as a 4 minute drive from HGVC.

Totally agree about La Sorgente. A wonderful place. I believe it was the father who was so gracious and friendly to us. Limited English, but he insisted that we take a photo with him. Such a great experience.

 

[theoriginalAva]

Here is a list of towns we visited when staying at Borgo alle Vigne. We live in Texas and use to driving everywhere. We found the location of Borgo alle Vigne to be a really convenient hub. We did spend a night in Venice. Also took the train to Florence as recommended. (We tried to drive to Florence but couldn’t find parking anywhere remotely close to the city.
Florence
Pisa
Sienna
Lucca (Pistoia)
Volterra & San Gimignano
Pienza; San Miniato
Venice

So yes, if your plan is to visit a variety of places in Tuscany this would be a good place for you. Also, there was a nice, big clean supermarket maybe 10 minutes drive. And absolutely bring your own Garmin (GPS).

 

[4TimeAway]

Just returned from a Milan, Venice, Florecne, Rome, Athens, London trek.

It was hard not to pause for some time in Tuscany. Next trip will be fly into Pisa, get a car and stay at Vigne for a week. I'd be tempted to take a train back to Milan for the Hilton Stuckey. Really love that place for a couple days.

 

[Nomad420]

Also, even small towns have restricted area. Make a point to memorize the sign for “you are entering a restricted area.”

The sign to look for has white circle with a red border over a white background. Above the circle you will see the words 'Zona a Traffico Limitato', and below the circle there will be further information regarding the specific restrictions of that ZTL.

LOL, last time I went to Florence as I entered the central district I hailed a cabbie to basically guide me to the hotel and the best local parking. I basically followed him into town for just a couple miles. Cost me little and keep me out of trouble. My family thought it was cool. Never touched the rental until I left town. I was able to get out of town on my own...

 

[rdw95]

So many places to go and see around Borgo. We recently purchased 2 more 2BR platinum weeks there, giving us 4 2BR weeks, so we are going to sell our 3 3BR platinum weeks (as we don't need 6 weeks). We love it there, and have gotten to know some of the locals in Peccioli quite well.

Here is Peccioli at sunrise. Taken from Borgo.

Here we are at a Dining in the Vinyard event.

 

[rdw95]

We just arrived for our month here at Borgo. The staff are so friendly, and hugs were exchanged when we arrived. This year is the 10th anniversary of opening Borgo, and we received a gift with a special bottle of 10th Anniversary Vino for owners and members.

As a side note, I would NOT recommend Europcar car rentals. Our flight was delayed into Florence, and we both called multiple times (24 times!) With no answer, and emailed the office twice to let them know. When we arrived, they had rented our car to someone else. They had another, but it was almost 400 Euro more. Then, they would only rent to us if we had an international driver's license, which was NOT listed in their rental agreement. We looked at other rental car places, and the staff at Avis was wonderful, and got us a car even though availability was very limited.

 

[brp]

Then, they would only rent to us if we had an international driver's license, which was NOT listed in their rental agreement. We looked at other rental car places, and the staff at Avis was wonderful, and got us a car even though availability was very limited.

good on Avis for doing this. although I'm surprised that they would rent without the international driver's license. Seems a minimum requirement for an overseas car rental.

Cheers.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

good on Avis for doing this. although I'm surprised that they would rent without the international driver's license. Seems a minimum requirement for an overseas car rental.

Cheers.

When i used to travel for work and rented a lot of cars in Europe, I caried an international drivers license, but don't think I was ever asked for it by any agency...

 

[rc51]

When i used to travel for work and rented a lot of cars in Europe, I caried an international drivers license, but don't think I was ever asked for it by any agency...

I just learned something! Never even heard of an international drivers license let alone needed one. Definitely wasn't asked in Scotland for it.

 

[GT75]

I just learned something! Never even heard of an international drivers license let alone needed one. Definitely wasn't asked in Scotland for it.

It is only a booklet which translates your USA DL to different languages.

 

[jfleck2020]

It is only a booklet which translates your USA DL to different languages.

When we went to Spain I got an international drivers license from a local AAA office. Information that I looked for said Spain specifically noted that it was a requirement for driving there. Even though I am not a AAA member, it was very easy to get the license which was good for one year. I don't remember the exact cost but it wasn't that expensive.

Be sure to really look over any car you rent for existing damage. I thought I had royally screwed up when I noticed a dent in the side of our car three days into our trip... come to find out it was existing damage along with several other scratches and dents that my wife and I had just not seen when we picked up the car. Luckily for us, the rental agency had emailed us images of all the existing damage on the car but I hate to think what other rental agencies might have tried to blame on us.

 

[letsgobobby]

I just learned something! Never even heard of an international drivers license let alone needed one. Definitely wasn't asked in Scotland for it.

usually European rental car agencies ask to see it. We always get an updated one before we leave.

 

[GT75]

usually European rental car agencies ask to see it. We always get an updated one before we leave.

We also do, because it is so cheap to get it. It is only good for one year, if I remember correctly.