About Us
Everything you need to know about Friends of TuscanyWhere authentic Tuscany begins- Our story
Friends of Tuscany is a small, family-run villa and experience specialist with deep roots in Italy. We’ve lived, worked and explored Tuscany for decades — not just passing through, but building genuine relationships with property owners, local producers and trusted guides along the way. We specialise in the Garfagnana region of northern Tuscany but also have properties in Southern Tuscany and Umbria.
How it all started (and why it matters)
Friends of Tuscany was founded in 1988 by my father, Andrew McKean, when our family moved from the UK to the Garfagnana region of northern Tuscany. I was a child at the time, and Tuscany quickly became home rather than a destination.
Over the following decades, our family lived and worked in the area, building deep local knowledge and long-term relationships with property owners, businesses and activity providers. Andrew and my mother Susan, now largely retired, still live in the village of Villa Collemandina, surrounded by the countryside and properties we know so well.
This long-term presence matters. It’s what allows us to give clear, realistic advice — not based on brochures or short visits, but on lived experience.
What makes Friends of Tuscany different
There are plenty of places to browse villas online. What makes the difference is knowing that the information is reliable — and having expert support available whenever you need it.
This is where we come in.
We personally know every property and every owner we work with, and we’re always on hand to:
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Clarify details before or after booking
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Explain real differences between areas, beyond what photos can show
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Advise on practical points such as driving times, access and local facilities
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Help if questions arise while planning your stay
Whether you want detailed guidance or simply the reassurance that expert help is there if needed, our role is to make booking — and travelling — feel straightforward and stress-free.
Support that goes beyond booking
Once you book with Friends of Tuscany, you don’t disappear into an automated system.
Before you arrive, we provide a personalised information pack covering:
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Your property and its surroundings
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Local restaurants, cafés and shops we genuinely recommend
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Swimming spots, walks, markets and places worth visiting
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Practical tips for getting around and settling in
We’re also happy to help arrange airport transfers, pre-arrival shopping, and home-cooked meals for your first evening or during your stay — small touches that make a big difference.
A small agency you can trust
Friends of Tuscany has been operating continuously since 1988.
We are members of:
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ABTOI (Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy)
All credit card payments are securely processed via Stripe.
Being small allows us to stay personal, responsive and flexible — and to treat every booking as individual.
Experiences, not just accommodation
One of the biggest advantages of booking through us is access to trusted local experiences.
We work closely with outdoor adventure companies and activity providers we’ve known for years, and can help arrange:
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Cooking, painting and pottery classes
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Canoeing and rafting
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Mountain biking
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Gorge walking and caving
Everything is arranged through people we trust — not generic suppliers found online.
Why our owner relationships matter
Many of the owners we work with are personal friends — which is where the name Friends of Tuscany comes from.
These long-standing relationships mean:
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Clear communication and shared standards
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Well-maintained properties
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Fair pricing
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Owners who care about guest experience, not just occupancy
It’s a level of trust that simply can’t be replicated by large listing platforms.
Returning guests (our best recommendation)
A large proportion of our guests return to us year after year, which we’re incredibly proud of. As a thank you, all returning guests receive a returners’ discount.
It’s also the clearest sign that what we do — careful matching, honest advice and ongoing support — really works.
How we work, in simple terms
We offer a wide range of villas and apartments, from rustic and affordable to larger, higher-end properties. Every one is:
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Hand-picked
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Personally visited
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Matched to its surroundings
We don’t try to be everything to everyone. Instead, we focus on helping you choose well — and enjoy Tuscany without stress or guesswork.
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Working with property owners
Friends of Tuscany also works closely with villa and apartment owners across Tuscany and Umbria.
Our strong booking levels come from being hands-on. We regularly revisit properties to update photographs, advise on realistic pricing based on annual income rather than just peak weeks, and share practical guidance on what guests are actually looking for — from layout and facilities to small improvements that make a real difference.
This approach helps owners achieve consistent, sustainable bookings, while ensuring guests arrive with accurate expectations. You can find out more about advertising your property with Friends of Tuscany here.
Get in touch
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us on +44 (0)131 538 1911 or email us from our contact page.