Know anything about Tuscan vacation rentals?

Question

3-5 friends and I are looking to rent a house for a week in Tuscany. We are early 30s females, fairly well traveled, probably looking at late June/early July. Am a bit leary of renting from random rental websites. Concerned about locations- distance from airport, stores (since we'll be buying our own food, etc.) Not really familiar with cities in Tuscany beyond Florence and Pisa. All would prefer pool or beach access. Have thought of resorts (which are probably out of our poor social worker budget) and tours (which were vetoed because we don't want lots of running around and repacking). So in writing all this, maybe we sound high maintenance- we just want to sit around in the sun- but we're not afraid of shopping, cooking, or cleaning up after ourselves. Any recommendations/advice on more specific locations in Tuscany, rental websites, rental negotiation tips/protocol, or perhaps comparable alternatives would be greatly appreciated. Grazie!

Answer 1

Here are suggestions for accommodation:

http://www.tuscanweb.com/accommodation/b...

http://www.tuscanweb.com/accommodation/c...

Be aware if you going to rent a house in Tuscany most of them are situated outside of towns, you will need to arrange transport to the accommodation or to rent a car. Also try to book in advance June/early July is already high season and good and relative cheap accommodations can be already full.

Hope it helps.

Answer 2

There is one really good site on rentals in Tuscany. It is owned by a friend of mine . A Scotsman living in Tuscany. You should have a look at it . The site is http://www.rent-a-villa-in-tuscany.com. I don't know Tuscany that well as I live in Piedmont in the North West of Italy but have been on holiday there a few times. The best thing to do is to try rent somewhere outside of the main cities.

Answer 3

My wife and 2 kids stayed here for 2 weeks this summer.

http://www.residenzailpalazzo.it/

Great location, great accommodation, great pool, and great price.  Yes, it's a bit out of the way, BUT the benefit is the great price.  400E for a week is ridiculously cheap.  the train station in Chiusi is only about 15 min away, Rome is 1.5hrs away via train.  Cortona (Under the Tuscan Sun) is about 25 min drive, Montepulciano is about another 25 min.  We barbequed almost every night by the pool, day tripped w/in an hour n-a half every other day (San Gimaniano, Sienna, Assisi, Gubbio, Chianti vineyards, etc)

The key to this (and some others) is that it lies across the border in Umbria.  The just-as-beautiful but often neglected (thankfully for my pocketbook) part of the WHOLE "Tuscan" region.

The best part about this area/location is NOBODY bothers you.  I ran the backroads in the morning with no traffic, parked under the owners olive trees, washed and hung out our laundry with the owners, and welcomed the birth of their first baby.  This family is wonderful and we're planning on returning again this summer.

Answer 4

This is a great website with alot of tips and information.

I'm so jealous, I would love to rent a villa in Tuscany. AHHH.

http://slowtrav.com/Italy

Have a great time.)

Answer 5

have fun under the tuscan sun!!!!! for the accomadations I have a friend who runs something similar to what you are lookng for.. I will send you the link as I am in class right now and con not go for the website....