​When you sit and talk to Mario Scalzi about Italy, it's like a living version of Google. Ask Mario a question, and he doesn't even need time to think, he answers instantaneously.  Maybe Amazon can rename its Alexa to Mario. 

"Hey Mario, what about the Marche region of Italy can you tell us?"

If you want the answer, you will have to listen to this edition of the Total Tuscany Podcast.  Mario is one of our regular guests on the podcast because he brings so much value to you when we talk with him. 

Of course, we always find time to talk about his company, Parker Villas, but the stories he shares about going off the beaten path are what inspire to plan our next trip! 

When planning a trip, you are going to need a place to call home. Sure there are several places you can rent from online.  But do you really know what you are getting? Take the guesswork and the worry out of your rental property.  Parker Villas offers exclusive homes throughout Italy. What does exclusive mean?  Well, you can't rent them anywhere else. Every villa has been inspected and meets the five star standards that Mario has demanded since he founded the company in 1993. 

​In today's world of unique travel of experiences, people are quick to rent a property on the internet sight unseen where reviews are manipulated, and pretty pictures don't tell the whole story.

When it comes to a trip of a lifetime to Tuscany, or even Italy for that matter, why chance it? You shouldn't and why Parker Villas is the best when it comes to first-class rental properties and excellent customer service and satisfaction.

Parker Villas just added a new property in Tuscany.  It's calledCatini Alto. Here's the description from the Parker Villas website:

​In the latest edition of the Total Tuscany Podcast, we welcome back one of our most trusted partners who we have been working with for almost ten years now. Mario Scalzi from Parker Villas. Mario has been a guest on the podcast several times before and offers a wealth of knowledge on the latest trends in traveling not just to Tuscany but all of Italy. 

​You might be thinking is a villa right for me?  Mario is open and honest about what makes sense and what doesn't. The sweet spot for Parker Villas is groups of 8 to 12 and even higher. So if you are traveling with just you and a couple of friends, a hotel or hostel might be the road you want to go down.  Airbnb and VRBO are also options, but again you have to be careful about what you are paying for and what your expectations are.

What makes Parker Villas unique and a company you can trust is that all their properties are exclusive. This means the property you are paying or is not getting brokered like a commodity all over the internet. Mario or members of his staff personally inspect all the properties throughout the year.  Parker Villas also has a team in Italy just in case you run into any problems and need help.

​What stands out to us the most is the level of customer service  Parker Villas gives.  Every time we have rented from them; we felt like they genuinely had a vested interest in our entire trip. For many of you, going to Tuscany and Italy is once in a lifetime, so you want to make sure you have a "friend" by your side while you are there.  

All of the properties that Parker Villas rents combines Italian charm and history with American amenities.  Such as air conditioning, an equal number of bathrooms to bedrooms, and more little things we have come to expect when traveling.

You will find this podcast informative, entertaining, and enlightening.  Are you ready to take that trip to Tuscany? Join this fall on our next Total Tuscany Experience. Or if you already have a trip planned but need help with your itinerary and finding things off the beaten path, we are here to help on a consulting basis.  Just email us atinfo@totaltuscany.com to get started. 

In this latest conversation with Mario we discuss the following:

• What is new for 2017
• What kind of customer service you should expect when renting
• What it takes to be a Parker Villa property
• Hot spots in Tuscany
• Hidden gems in Italy

Living and enjoying the Italian lifestyle is easier than you think, even if it is for one or two weeks. If you need help planning your trip or just need some up front information, feel free to reach out to us, info@totaltuscany.com. Also, look for our next Total Tuscany adventure and travel to Tuscany with Travis and Pat! Sign up to our newsletter and be the first to find out when we are going and how you can join us. 

Ciao!

When you think of matchmaker, what comes to mind? An internet dating service? It's fine if you do, a simple Google search of the word yields 11,500,000 results.

The 1997 movie of the same name starring  Janeane Garofalo might jar your memory or if you are little older, the 1958 cinema not so classic with Anthony Perkins (before Psycho) and Shirley MacLaine. 

Our friend Mario Scalzi is an Italian matchmaker. No, Mario is not a broker of relationships.  Instead, he looks to make the perfect pairing between you and the villa you choose to stay in when visiting Italy. Mario started Parker Villas over 20 years ago; full disclosure, we have rented from Parker Villas on three different occasions and give the company our highest recommendation.

This interview marks the 3rd time we have featured Mario and Parker Villas on the Total Tuscany Podcast. Why do we keep having him back? Simple, we think Parker Villas has the best selection of villas in Italy and Tuscany.  Besides have the best collection of vacations homes, Parker Villas offers 5-star customer service. This attention to satisfaction so important as you are getting ready to make an investment in what might be the trip of a lifetime.

Why are we having a conversation with Mario again? First, the Parker Villas Spring Sale is going on right now, and you can get great deals on vacation homes all over Italy including a large selection in Tuscany. 

Also, with the 2016 booking season about to hit a fever pitch, we thought it would be a good idea for you to hear about some of the new properties Parker Villas is offering and what are the major differences that set it apart from its competitors. 

Make sure to listen all the way to the end, we have a teaser for you on something big we are working on at Total Tuscany.  We want to know what you think of the podcast; please leave your comments below. Your feedback and suggestions are very helpful and give us great ideas on how we can tell stories that interest you. 

Thanks for listening and tell a friend or two about us.  We'll talk to you next week with another Total Tuscany Podcast. 

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