So if you were going to hire a f***-off villa in Italy, with staff, for about 12-14 people, which companies would you start looking with?

[MintyDixCharrington]

We are talking high-end please. I feel there must be excellent agencies I just haven't found yet... any ideas?
Ta muchly

ohhh thank you

there must BE serious agencies out there but I can't find them. have looked at parkers (not completely inspired) and private properties abroad (too french) and have now drawn a blank

www.scottdunn.com/accommodation/villa-fontelunga.html

www.elegantresorts.co.uk/location/Europe/Italy__And__Islands/Tuscany/Lucca/villas/110.html

www.elegantresorts.co.uk/location/Europe/Italy__And__Islands/Umbria/Perugia/villas/22.html

www.elegantresorts.co.uk/location/Europe/Italy__And__Islands/Tuscany/Lucca/villas/109.html

loads here that would suit

www.real-italy.com/

I'm just looking myself at the Villa book site I linked to - seriously drool-worthy villas there! And loads of big ones - from around half way down the Italy page onwards!

Crikey. They are gorgeous.

oooh clandestine the villa book is great, thank you
off to look at jura's too

I love MN!

look at this one - damn it Minty - at this rate I will be splurging myself on a large get together

I'm a bit stuck on castello granduca at the moment! will look at yours

We always use Cottages to Castles.

Never had any probs.

puglia too hot in august
lovely though
god I need to make myself a sandwich and have a sift through that site

and torre whatsit jura looks superb too

thank you both, this is exactly what I was looking for

homeinitaly is fantastic too

right, off to get my lunch and give this some attention

hoorah!

Scott Dunn

this is the current frontrunner, what do you think

Isn't it a bit modern and charmless? The comfort is a bit... Sheraton-like?

I think it looks beautiful, Minty .

I think you could do better

well not exactly modern, it is 16thc

I'm not so fussed about the inside as long as the beds are good. just want something in a good location, with a chef and a nice swimming pool

oh and the yanks I'm going with need broadband and airconditioning and it is amazing how many villas THAT knocks out of contention

don't worry I'm still looking though

PPH have you had a good look at Jura's 'Your Tuscany' site. Some lovely places on there! I love the one just outside Florence, but sadly no pool

I love the outside of this on here but not sure about the inside

children might destroy it

and looks a bit multicoloured and dark

this looks good

has air con
and catering

yes I've emailed them
they need to send me a list of what villas are available when we want to go etc
they haven't replied yet
looks FANTASTIC though, that site

Yes, I agree that broadband and A/C knock out a lot of the more traditional decorations. Personally I like frescos when I'm in Italy and lots of antiques, but they don't like A/C at all .