Hi everyone,
I have a generic question- I'm in the beginning phases of researching and planning a family reunion in vacation (and convincing them all to go), I have found some websites, including AirBNB & VRBO, but I was wondering if anyone has rented villas in Italy for vacations? If so, what website or company did you go through? Was it a good experience? Any tips or advice?
I am thinking we will probably have the most luck in Tuscany, but I am open to suggestions if anyone have some!
My husband and I have rented twice from a company called To Tuscany. Just google the name and it should pop up. They personally visit each villa that they rent. We would definitely use them again.
We rented a villa for 12 people in Castellina in Chiati through Tuscany Now. It was suggested to me from friends to hire a cook for the first and last meal of our week long stay. Because when you arrive (usually on a weekend and depart on a weekend) the groceries stores may be closed. It was wonderful to arrive, explore the villa and have a chef prepare the meal. The chef was booked through Tuscany Now. It was so delicious that we asked her to cook for a third night. It tasted better than any restaurants we ate at. It was also less expensive than a restaurant. They charged per person. It included wine, 4 course meal and dessert!
Thank you both so much! I will look in to both of these companies!
Hi Christine,
I was successful with airbnb for our trip next June to Rome, Orvieto, Florence and Venice. Good luck.
I too have used Tuscany Now. Seems to be a good company and easy to work with. They give discounts on returning customers which was nice for a our last trip.
Thank you!
It's been many years, but we rented an amazing Villa through The
Parker Company in Volterra.
The name of the Villa is La Paiola and it is still rented through the company. Great launching point for day trips and owner is fabulous.
I used VRBO when renting an apartment in Rome about three years ago. It has a great website. The website gives you alternatives too as it "knows" where you are looking. You can filter the area, the price, etc.
I was overjoyed at the apartment my hubby and I had off the Piazza Novona. It was huge with high beamed ceilings, king sized bed, marble bathroom with TUB. It also had a small kitchen with frig stocked with staples such as milk. A capaccino maker which we used every morning, etc. A second bathroom with shower. A large livingroom with flatscreen tv. It was fully air conditioned. The apartment was located in an old castle that is still owned by the same family since the 1600's. Awesome.
We just rented an apartment for next spring in Cortona also by using VRBO.
You might take a look at this place, in Umbria near the Tuscan border. It's run by a friend of mine. http://www.anticavetreria.net/
It's an old glass factory that she and her husband converted into apartments in the tiny town of Piegaro. Tons of charm, swimming pool, gorgeous views, secure parking, great rates. It has lots of units, one with four bedrooms. Would be great for a family reunion.
Christine,
We've used 2 or 3 different companies (successfully), but one of my favorites and most dependable has been The Parker Company. They rent properties all over the world. Let me give you a brief experience about using them. We rented a villa through them located about an hour south of Milan. We flew into Milan airport (an hour north of Milan) and experienced serious lost luggage issues. We had set up a time to meet the owner of the villa and get the key and check in. Since our luggage delay was going to really screw that up, I remembered that we had been given, in addition to a Parker phone number in the U.S., an Italy number as well (English speaking). I called them, and they contacted the owner, told him our plight and arranged for a later meeting time to check in. It made a non-issue out of a possibly harrowing experience. IMO, it's worth googling them.
We used Karin Dietz at Chianti and More for a 6BR villa rental with pool in Panzano. Excellent service. Well credentialed. Beautiful villa for a special family vacation. We had a chef at the villa one night.
www.chianti-and-more.com. The properties are only listed with this agency, not found on multiple websites. She knows them and their owners well. Highly recommended.
Thank you again everyone! This information is invaluable! I really appreciate it! Spending this afternoon researching further!
We went through Karen Brown's website for some of our villas but also used this forum for many recommendations.
