Hello! After staying in Florence for a few days, my wife and I would like to rent a cottage or a villa for a week before returning to Florence to fly home. Does anyone know of a reputable company that rents such properties? Or a particular website that is reliably competent? We would like to stay somewhere in Tuscany... Thanks!
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Daniel, when we are looking for rentals in the EU we usually use VRBO.com and Homelidays.com. Like renting from any rental agency, you "need to do your homework"; check to ensure that the rental you pick has good customer reviews, Google map the location to make sure that it is not next to a Disco or noisy restaurtant, or on a main street, etc. If the property is listed in Trip Advisor.com, read the reviews posted by fellow travelers, or just search TA to find a place that sounds good to you. Sometimes using "specialty' recomendation websites yield great "finds". We have found some great rentals using Alistar Sawdays and Karen Brown websites. We also enjoy staying in an Agritourisimo, if one is available. The one we picked in the Firenze area had a huge apt, with a pool and a view, and awesome owners, and cost us less than $80/nite. Many serve home made meals.
Posted by
Celina, Ohio, USA
74 posts
We had a great experience with Rentvillas.com. We booked a wonderful villa in far northern Lazio, tucked right between Umbria and Tuscany. Everything about the rental experience was excellent. They were very efficient in the booking and went well beyond just renting us a place to stay. They gave great information about traveling in Italy, suggested places to visit, and gave us several links to other opportunites to explore th area. We will definitely book through them again.
Posted by
OP
Onalaska, WI, USA
9 posts
Katharina - I am very interested in your website - I will definitely check out the information and be in touch! Thank you!
Posted by
Florence, Italy
9 posts
Great! Look forward to hearing from you.
Posted by
OP
Onalaska, WI, USA
9 posts
Katharina - I just submitted an inquiry via the website - but if you have a particular property in Tuscany you believe would be particularly nice, I'd love a personal suggestion! My wife and I will be traveling for our 10th wedding anniversary, so the more romantic, the better! My email address is: !!!! Email address removed by webmaster. The Private Message system is at your disposal in the Helpline to contact each other privately while keeping your contact info safe. !!!! Thanks! Daniel Lerberg
Posted by
San Francisco, CA
166 posts
We initially rented from italianvillas.com (now part of AAA) as they have actually been to all the villas they rent. Now we rent directly from the villa owners. Our two favorite places are: 1) Aiolina and La Fornace, just outside Siena: http://www.aiolina.it http://www.aiolina.it/soleluna.htm 2) Vignamaggio (a very grand villa with B&B rooms) http://www.vignamaggio.com/index-english.html They claim to be the birthplace of Mona Lisa, but she was actually born in Florence. More than happy to forgive them this as it's such a beautiful property. Mathew
Posted by
Beverly Hills, CA, USA
1 posts
Dealing with owners and Italy-based agencies can be tricky. Need to do lots of checking. What if problem occurs when you show up? I prefer U.S. based www.beautiful-places.com. They have some terrific properties -- bookings are done thru real person so you can asked questions not just see pix/read descriptions. Property managers at all locations. Always on Conde Nast Traveler's top villa agent list.
Arlene
Posted by
Narragansett, RI
61 posts
You can also try www.wimco.com . They are a Newport RI based company that has a strong base in the Caribean and are now renting villas in Tuscany, Very reliable.
Posted by
OP
Onalaska, WI, USA
9 posts
Many thanks to all who have posted! I have since booked a property through Trust and Travel, and they have been extremely helpful and knowledgeable!