I want to take a vacation in Italy, and I’ve been told the way to go is to rent a country villa. You can get a nice house with a swimming pool, and get a cook’s service as well. Has anybody done this? Is itreasonable? And, can you book on-line, or should you engage an agent?
I’d like to rent a place in Tuscany, outside a city, but no more than 30 minutes by road.
Any suggestions?
I’d like to hear from people who have done it!
We didn’t rent a whole villa, but we got a little one bedroom flat in a villa right outside of Florence. It was lovely and we had our own kitchen and washer/dryer as well. The owner was such a great host, and he brought us daily presents of his homemade olive oil and wine. We had a 1/4 mile walk to the bus that brought us into the city, which was about a 10 minute ride.
We didn’t rent a whole villa, but we got a little one bedroom flat in a villa right outside of Florence for our honeymoon three years ago. It was lovely and we had our own kitchen and washer/dryer as well. The owner was such a great host, and he brought us daily presents of his homemade olive oil and wine. We had a 1/4 mile walk to the bus that brought us into the city, which was about a 10 minute ride.
I found our place on-line and booked it directly through wire transfer. It worked out well, but maybe we were just lucky. The price was very reasonable, if I recall we paid about $600 US for 10 days.
<Seinfeld>
Don’t even bother with Tuscany. There’s nothing available. It’s all booked up.
</Seinfeld>
Have you read Eliz. von Arnim’s Enchanted April, or seen the movie? Terrific, both of them (the 1992 version, not the 1935 one). It’s about four Englishwomen who rent a villa in Italy for a month.
Damn you! You stole my smart-assed comment.
Actually I was also interested in getting some info on this. We did a villa in Jamaica and had an absolute blast. We decided every few years to do something similar. It makes it nicer when traveling with kids, plus I feel you get a less touristy experience.
ralph124c, a coworker who travels extensively suggested this service - don’t know if it will help or not, but wanted to let you know about it.
Eve, I saw the movie. I loved it! Beautiful scenery, and the women were grand.
my brother and sister-in-law went through this site for their honeymoon. They’ve got something for just about every budget, and will arrange for tours if you like, as well.
Here’s another good website regarding rentals. Even if you decide not to go, you should order their catalog. The catalog is so gorgeous it’s good for a couple of years of armchair traveling, at least.
I’m reading Under the Tuscan Sun, a book by Frances Mayes, regarding her account of acquiring and renovating a beautiful villa in Tuscany. She’s quite a good writer, and you can’t read her book without being transported to Italy. It would be a good read during the long, tedious flight over.
Good luck. Need any co-renters?