A very nice forumite here suggested to me that our family (two adults, three children ages 5, 3, and 1) might enjoy staying at an agriturismo. We'll be in Italy at the end of April/beginning of May following a trip to the Balkans and we can potentially allot a week or so for this. I have done some looking and I'm in love with the idea, but I have no idea where to start--there are so many. Can someone recommend an area to me that would or would NOT be good and for what reason? Can we assume that we would need a a car rental, or is it reasonable to assume we can use public transit? Would the weather be decent? We can fly home from either Milan or Rome. Thank you so much for any suggestions or tips you can give me!

Oh, I forgot to add that we don't require much by way of frills and while we're open to anything, we'd love a real live slop-the-pigs kind of farm. Thank you!

you need a car, some are run as multiple cottages, plus pool plus maybe restaurant, some are just a barn coversion. April still a bit chilly but no worse than balkans. At that time should be able to do short lets < 7 days.

Areas, Tuscany, Puglia, Verona/Venice

My friend got married here last summer and it was absolutely magical:

http://www.italiancollection.com/en/Le-macchie.html

It's close enough to day trip around to places but absolutely peaceful and lovely and the weather at that time of year is usually rather nice, if a bit rainy at times. It's nice to enjoy Italy before the summer heat kicks in.

Your travel window could be very lovely. I would just avoid the mountains of the north. I think Puglia is too far to go. In addition to Toscana (Tuscany) and the Veneto (Venice/Verona), you should consider Umbria.

You should do some google searches specifically for "agriturismo children" because some farm stays have activities for small children, including animals. This is an agriturismo I've always wanted to visit and I think children might especially enjoy it.

http://www.chianticashmere.com/

I'm sure the proprietor would be honest about the weather in her area at that time of year.

Many agriturismi serve dinner to their guests, but they are long drawn out affairs, and I think your small children might not enjoy them. It might be better for you to book an apartment with a kitchen, and they are plentiful on agriturismi.

Last but not least, although I think you are likely to see pleasant sunny days, nights could get cool, or it could get unseasonably cold. With such small children, you want guarantees that there is modern heat available (although you may be asked to pay for it, extra, if you use it.)

Count on the idea you will need a car for shopping and to put variety in your activities.

etonmymind, my sister stayed here with her two girls. They had a great time and thought everything was just perfect, wonderful fresh food from their olive groves etc etc. the link is http://www.sandonato.it/index.html
check it out. they are such a great idea, also it is a hop skip and a jump from San Gimignano which your children would enjoy also.

Schnauzer