We are hoping to buy a holiday home in Tuscany and thought of using a site called Toscana Verde. Anyone heard of it or used it? Anyone got any better suggestions? Thanks, Liz

Liz, go to www.slowtrav.com and check out that site. It's a non-commercial site where a lot of people who are interested in buying property in Tuscany post their experience and recommendations. <BR><BR>Be sure to invite us over when you're ready for guests!<BR><BR>Buona fortuna<BR>Liz, too

Hi Betsy. Thanks for your reply. I have already tried slowtrav without much luck! I can't believe we're actually going to have our own place in Italy! I'll keep you posted. Liz

By the way, Liz, have you read Frances Mayes books, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany? <BR><BR>There's also a message board at the SlowTrav site, I think the address is www.slowtalk.com. I haven't visited the site for a while, but I remember several posts about finding your way through buying property in Italy.

Liz, when can my wife and I rent a room from you. Seriously, good luck to you, this is a dream of mine as well.

Perhaps you could check: www.timesonline.co.uk,and Telegraph.co.uk. On both newspapers,there are overseas property/property sections with detail info on almost every contries in the continent. It seems quite popular for Britons to buy a second home somewhere.

Thanks for all your kind and helpful replies. I'll keep you posted! Liz

Liz,<BR><BR>I'm curious, because my husband and I are thinking about the same thing, how much time per year do you plan on being in Italy once you buy your property? Will be lucky enough to spend months at a time or will it be a 2-3 weeks vacation once a year? Just wondering because even though we dream of owning (and can afford to do so) our jobs won't allow us to spend enough time to justify it. Are you considering leasing it out when you're not there?

By the way, here's my all time favorite web site for property in Italy...<BR><BR>http://www.casait.it/base-ing.htm

Hi Sandi. We're really looking at the whole thing as an investment for the future as well as giving us some enjoyment in the meantime! I get 5.5 weeks holiday each year and will spend the majority of it at the Italian abode. I live in London and can get cheap flights that take only 2 hours max. I'm looking at an area within 1 hour drive from Pisa airport. I plan to let my kids and their partners have some time there too and after that I'm planning to rent it out to any interested friends and work colleagues etc. I'm still working on how the place will be cleaned up and prepared for the next guests each time! Thinking way ahead in the future, I hope to retire there! Liz

Liz, I know of a great place right near the Pescia river but it needs work. It is around 30 minutes from Pisa. The site is (currently it is at a free hosting site so sorry for the pop ups) http://villabonocchi.tripod.com/<BR><BR>You could also get the magazine Italy which you can find in the UK as well as getting a subscription at www.italymag.co.uk In it you will find quite a few agencies that sell properties.