I am looking for recommendations for a house to rent for a week or two in Northern Italy or Tuscany for my family of five. We don't want to do a ton of tourist activities, just looking for a place to relax and take some walks and do a few smaller activities or day trips. We would prefer quiet villages with a garden for kids to play. With three small kids, we would like to have our own space and not have to worry about our kids making too much noise for those around. We are also looking for something that is budget friendly, but clean. We have been to Lakes Como and Garda, so we would like a slightly different area. I have never been to Tuscany and have heard it is lovely. I thought if anyone could give me some great recommendations, it would be the Rick Steves community. Thank you for your input.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Faith, will you have a car?
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, United States
907 posts
You don't mention money other than budget friendly, but how about this:
http://www.tuscanynowandmore.com/villas/casa-del-poggio/
We stayed in the bigger unit with a family of 12 and had a ball. There is a pool for the kids (cold water though), you are right in the middle of the town and the kids play in the main piazza, you can wander to your hearts content, there are restaurants, shops, and groceries (with wine). There is even a cooking school in town. We love San Gemini, check it out.
One thing, it isn't in Tuscany, it is in Umbria. Oh well, that isn't all bad!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16231 posts
Posted by
OP
Germany
22 posts
Yes, we will have a car, so the house does not need to be near a train station.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
792 posts
I have stayed here several years in a row, fantastic Italian family. https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g3963266-d2319997-Sunny_upper_floor_Chianti_apartment_with_large_terrace_and_astounding_views_sleeps_5-.html
Posted by
west Chester, PA
372 posts
I am a big fan of Lucca, which is in northern Tuscany. The walls that surround the town have parks on it, a large biking path and several playgrounds. There is so much to do there for all ages and being on the train line between Pisa and Firenze, you have many options. You can easily get there from any airport without a car. Just a thought.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
I know this is a bit "out of the box" for your post but have you thought about home exchange? With the time you want to spend in one place this might be a great budget alternative for you! If you have your own home it's easily done...we've exchanged homes 13 times all over the world and it's amazing, especially with kids. We use this website...HomeExchange.com Let me know if you want more information!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
We have stayed all over Tuscany, but this is the one we keep going back to.
Look at apt. Pietro, 2 bed 2 bath. They can add a bed to the large bedroom for your toddler. It's a stand alone, garden area is just outside the gate. The couple who own it speak English, he did his doctorate here in the U S.
Just great hosts.
Swimming pool, ping pong and it's own Castle.
They also have bikes available.
Close (under an hour) to everything.
For more info, look at their PDF file.