Mumsnet Talk

Can anyone help?

I'm looking for a villa with a pool for 2 couples (us and the inlaws) and our 3 year old in Tuscany not far from Florence.

Ideally walkable to a village/town (for restaurants, shops etc) with a train station for easy access to Florence (in laws cant walk too far so most of the time spent locally to the villa with a couple of day trips to Florence).

Any recommendations for villas, towns to stay in or the best companies/websites to arrange it through much appreciated.

Try cottages to castles website.

http://www.cottagestocastles.com/villas/tuscany/reggello/villa-magnolia.aspx?scheda=gallery

You'll need a car - most places a quite rural. The driving is ok, but watch out for speed cameras and cities where the is congestion charge (ie Florence, Arezzo).

Podere Campiglione in Monteviarche - we go every year - is ace.

Arezzo is a lovey place to stay as is Luca or Sienna. But I think you are kidding yourself if you don't think you will spend a lot of time driving.

I would book it independantly - we have never used a tour operator - just make sure you use a credit card to book and are covered.

Be careful in Italy - I'd take your own car seat - they often try and give you really shite ones when you hire a car.

I need my Italy fix this year (not looking likely as it is £££). Ah well, I can always dream of my own villa, overlooking the mountains, ahhhhhh.

I love Arezzo too. The best ice cream shop in the world is there, the horseys and the mummified nun.