I am trying to find a villa for approx 5 days (2 adults/2 kids) that would allow day trips to Florence and Siena along with a good time in Tuscany eating, drinking and biking. I'm having a tough time figuring which town to settle in as well finding a place that doesn't have a week minimum in August. A pool is a necessity with the kids (10 and 13). This is in the middle of a Venice to Positano/Rome -- 2 week trip.

ecp222,
Try La Crociona http://lacrociona.com/ right outside Montalcino. They rent for less than a week.

Have you stayed here before? Is this a good base for a few days? Thanks.

Henry has written a long and detailed trip report about day trips from there.

Click on his screen name, and his trip report should come up on the left; it might be pretty far down, though...

Here is Henry's trip report for you, ecp22:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34494897

Happy planning!

Very often, if you find the right property for your needs, it makes sense to just pay the seven days and lose the two you don't want. But you will still need to arrange the itinerary so as to start on a Saturday, most likely.

Best wishes,

Rex

I agree with Rex. However, if you find a property you really like you may want to send an e-mail and ask if paying per night is an option. We were planning on doing what Rex recommended; we are staying at Le Casa Gialle, near Assisi in Umbria. The weekly rate was quite reasonable and we were planning on paying for 7 nights even though we are staying for 5. I sent an e-mail and found out that they do have nightly rates and I now have a reservation for 5 nights in March. I don't know if this would be possible in August but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Good luck!
Tracy

Thanks for the info. Henry's information and details will be very helpful. Thanks for the link. Ed

ecp,
Yes, I have stayed at La Crociona and loved it. Southern Tuscany is a beautiful area with lots to see. Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions.

Eloise and Tiff,
Thanks for covering my tardy reply.

i just posted the following on another similar thread:

Date: 01/11/2006, 03:35 pm
I've enjoyed using the website tuscany.net.
You can specifiy "short stays", your location and budget, and other amenities like swimming pool (which you should have for your kids). They also have loads of photos (which I love), and a safe booking process.

One place we stayed with our 2 kids is the charming Relais Villa d'Olmo. We rented the independent villa with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, private pool, washer/dryer for less than a week. (250 eur per nt) We LOVED it!! It's in a small village--Impruneta, just about 30 min. south of Florence. The area is convenient to touring the Chianti area.

This summer we're staying at the Fattoria de San Bennedeti (I think I got the spelling wrong) in similar lodgings (but cheaper!), which is farther south near Montepulciano.

Have fun planning!
Dina