zeppole, thank you for your reply.

I appreciated everyones help and suggestions and I thoughly explore all ideas.
I hadn't thought of visiting Lucca from Cinque Terre, that is a good idea. I will look into it.
We like to do a mix of city and country and Florence does seem like a good hub for day trips.
Do you have any recommendations for accommodation in Florence?
We may consider the drive to Bologna airport -
is that an easier location to drop the car off? That may help if the drop off day is on a saturday or sunday?

Hi again, Aussie.

No, we are not staying at the VRBO place--rather, at an Agriturismo in Chianti.

For Florence recommendations, do you want a hotel, B and B (aka a Pensione, from the first time i went to Italy) or a flat to rent?

Hi Cali
I am open to ideas. I didn't think there would be many B&Bs in Florence but we do like them. Maybe a small hotel not large and an apartment is an option as well. We loved our apartment in Paris.

Sometimes its nice to able to ask someone at your accommodation for ideas and directions.