We are having our ceremony and reception at The Lazy Olive, a small, rustic, family-run villa in Tuscany. It is about 45 minutes southeast of Siena, between Florence and Rome (1.5 and 2 hours away, respectively). The villa is situated on an olive grove, and the olives in the region are just starting to mature in October, so we'll be sure to have fresh olive oil!
The Lazy Olive Villa is located just outside of the small town of Asciano, Italy (population 7,000). There are regional trains that will take you straight into Asciano. But we think the best way to get to The Lazy Olive is to fly into Rome (about 2 hours away) or Florence (about 1.5 hours away) and rent a car. That way you have full freedom to explore the area if you'd like!
Renting a car in Italy is super easy! There are many of the same brands you're familiar with in the US (Avis, Budget, etc), so you can make a reservation online quite easily. In order to drive (legally) in Italy, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP). As long as you have a US driver's license, all you need is to fill out a form and pay a small fee. We went through AAA, which we found to be very easy, and we walked out with our IDPs the same day. Follow this link to find out more, or feel free to reach out with additional questions! https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html
We recommend monitoring the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for the most up to date info. As of September, you'll need an antigen or PCR test as well as proof of vaccination to enter Italy. You will also need to complete the online EU Digital Passenger Locator Form. You may also find your CDC vaccination card useful for getting around Italy. Finally, you'll need to take an antigen or PCR test prior to returning to the US. Requirements vary by airline, but most will accept BYO kits as well as local Italian tests. At present in Italy, antigen tests cost approximately $25, while PCR tests cost approximately $75, and there is a pharmacy offering both near the villa.
The event is dressy casual - we love a suit or a nice dress, but we want you to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and amazing! The wedding ceremony, reception, and festivities will take place outside so please be aware of the weather conditions and dress appropriately. We suggest that you bring a layer in case it gets cool in the evening.
The 1700's Villa is divided into 5 self catering apartments for a total of 11 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 5 kitchen living rooms. Each apartment has breathtaking views, fully equipped kitchen, and a private area outside. Common areas include shared outdoor tables, bbqs, and a swimming pool. We encourage you to check out The Lazy Olive's website to get a feel for the space and drool over the views!
Please check in to your room at the villa is as early as 4pm on Saturday, October 9th. Please check out by 10am on Saturday, October 16th.
We've put together a couple local recommendations on the Things To Do page of our website! There are also fully equipped kitchens, grills, and even a small vegetable garden available for your use. Finally, our hosts at the Lazy Olive can prepare individual meals by request throughout your stay for a minimum of 4 people. Please just let them know 1 day in advance!
Consider signing up for a short term international phone plan if you don't already have one. Otherwise, be sure to set up WiFi calling/texting so that you can get in touch when you're connected to wifi (available at the villa and in many train stations and local shops). We recommend downloading local maps offline using Google Maps so you can find your way around without burning through international data.
We enjoyed learning some useful travel phrases in Italian before we left, but it is definitely not necessary as we're sure you'll have no trouble getting around with English alone. If you do want to learn a little Italian, we recommend the Coffee Break Italian podcast and the Duolingo app!
Your presence at our celebration is the best gift you could give us! But if you are really dying to give us a gift, we have compiled some things we'd love to receive on the Registry tab.