Here is a B&B we liked near San Gim. You can see Volterra, parts of Chianti, Lucca/Pisa from here.

http://www.casanovadipescille.com/

We just returned from Italy two days ago. We rented a car in Venice and drove to the Val d'orcia. We stayed in a wonderful agratourismo owned by Americans...Poggio Etrusco....near Montepulciano. That whole area is not to be missed with breathtaking countryside at every turn. We particularly liked bagno Vingole and Chianchiano (wonderful restaurant, La Porta). The Avignonese winery has a great tasting and you can book lunch there in advance. The drive from Venice is about 4.5 hours. The driving is good now that there are speed cameras everywhere.

We loved San Gim, Assisi and Perugia - did all as day trips from Florence - but I'm sure you could do them from a central agriturismo.

Hi Racer,

Here's a link to a site listing 100s of agriturismi:

http://www.agriturismo.it/en/farmhouse/tuscany

depending on how long yo u have between Venice and Florence, you might think of staying at two in different areas - one to the north of Florence and one to the south.

you could then hire your car as you leave Venice, and return it before you get to Florence - where you won't want or need it, IMO.

Ravenna might be a stop for you between Venice and Florence. Faenza (root of faience has an important ceramics museum. I thought of suggesting Urbino, but it is almost as much out of the way when going between Venice and Florence as Siena.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157622914503405/show/with/4200858661/

Two years ago we spent a week in a farmhouse in Chianti in September. It was a lovely time of the year and we enjoyed many of the towns including Greve, Castellina, San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, Panzano, etc. Unlike you, we only got to my favorite Italian city, Florence, for a day trip.

The food and wine were great, the countryside beautiful, the weather near perfect for 7 days and the visit memorable.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Our stay will be 8 days, with (I am thinking) 2 days in Venice, the final 2 days in Florence, so that leaves 4 days in the middle. FouGras, I have John's cookbook and saw that she owns Poggio Estruco. Was it as fabulous as it sounds? I love the Montepulciano area (and the wines). Did you take any of her cooking classes?

If Venice is your first stop, stay a few more days. Well worth it. Two days is not enough if you have never been.

A slightly different area is Umbria, quieter and more rural than Tuscany. A car is useful there, touring Assisi, Spello, Todi, Gubbio. The city of Perugia is not so car-friendly.

En route, you could stop to see the mosaics at Ravenna and the Renaissance center of Urbino. Both of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

None of the cities are car friendly. You leave your car outside the walls in parking lots and then walk or grab a shuttle into town. This is true of almost all of the hill towns we have been to. (Why would a more then millennium - perhaps 2 - town have parking inside?)

goodness racer, with only 8 days I'd be tempted just to stay in Venice and Florence for 4 days each and get the train between them. Should you get bored with either or both, you could easily do a day trip or two.

if you like Florence so much, I'd be very surprised if you didn't like venice too.

BTW does that mean 8 whole days [ie 9 nights] or does it include arrival and/or departure days - if it does, you've got even less time.

Racer, yes, Poggio Etrusco was fantastic. I didn't take any cooking classes and Pam was running a tour for part of the stay. She and Johnny are absolutely delightful ( as are their dogs, Bella and Louie). The place was well situated for exploration. The apartments were very private and the other guests were friendly and interesting. Since, Pam left after our second day, Johnny took over and was very helpful with touring and restaurant advice. An Australian family spent the day at an organic cheese farm .....lunch and a tour that they raved about - all arranged by Johnny. I want to do that next time!

FouGras, which room did you stay in at Poggio Etrusco?

We booked Margherita but Pam switched us to Gelsomino so she could accommodate the Australian family. I peeked into Girasole which looked the best. As I said, the rooms are very private, spacious, and homey. All in all, we spent very little time in the room. I'd go back in a heartbeat!