We are planning a trip to Italy for August 2022 with our three boys ages 6, 10, and 11. After a few days in Rome, we would like to spend a week (or less if allowed) in an Agriturismo in Tuscany. I have done some preliminary research, but I am finding the number of options and my lack of familiarity with the geographic area to be overwhelming. These are my priorities, which the place must have: pool, air conditioning, and wifi. We are willing to rent a car.
We would be happy to cook for ourselves some nights, but it would be nice if there were a restaurant on site or nearby. Do most of these places have some type of restaurant? Or only a few? When they say they sleep 6, should I assume one of my boys will be on a futon in the kitchen? Ideally everyone would have a bed. I am willing to spend about $2000 for the week. Where is the best area to go? We are all history buffs (well, not the six year old :)), we want to spend time outdoors so the boys can blow off steam, I would love to go horseback riding, and I want to balance "educational" sightseeing with some fun activities for the boys.
My biggest fear is I will book something based on pictures or descriptions online and will then get there and they will give me the dingy apartment instead of the nice one they featured online. We don't have super high standards; we can rough it a little bit. But we don't want bugs and we do need air conditioning. I have searched on VRBO, Agriturismo.it, and a little on TripAdvisor. I would appreciate any advice people have, or experience with a certain area. Please pardon my ignorance on this topic. My husband and I have both traveled in Europe before, but not in Tuscany and not with kids. Thank you!