As part of a very long trip next September and October (2010), I'm going to be asking questions somewhat helter skelter, as many decisions have been made, but there are many more to be made. We are two very active, travel-savvy, couples celebrating retirement, and turning 62 at the same time...we are doing a two-week Aegean-Greek Isle cruise with time in Italy before and after..we've been to Northern Italy last year, but did not have a car---trained everywhere...

This time we'd like to rent a car and do Tuscany...we'll be in Florence prior to our 4 days in Tuscany..should we rent there..or train somewhere else more rural and pick up a car there..any suggestions where? We would like suggestions as well, as where to stay..we'd like a two-bedroom unit..apartment, farmhouse, agriturismo.. or .whatever to base out of...please give us ideas...I've looked at VRBO, googled things and really haven't found anything...thanks, Pam

Do you have a budget for the place to stay? Is a pool important?

I think it's best to narrow your search by choosing an area first, then the place to atay. I love the Val d'Orcia area in southern Tuscany, staying outside of Pienza or Montepulciano. There are plenty of small, charming villages and sights in the area to keep you busy for 4 days; or just relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape. I feel it is the most beautiful part of Tuscany.

Here is my favorite place to stay and a link for more information and places to stay near Pienza-

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/
http://www.portalepienza.it/

Also, check the apartment reviews here-

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/lis...uscany%20South

I suggest renting the car in Florence and driving directly to your destination.

We enjoyed a week at Le Manzenaie, a farm house (Podere) outside Montepulciano.

They have 5 or 6 units - we stayed in the separate 2br/2 floor building (Viole).

www.lemanzinaie.it

Slowtrav.com is a great resource for things like this.

Thanks, zoecat, I don't know much about Tuscany yet, so thanks for the input about that particular area...the fontebertusi looks very interesting, but I couldn't find a price..as 2 couples we could spend up to around 200 euros a night for a 2-bedroom unit, and a pool is not necessary...mostly it's the ambiance of the place and it's location. We love to drive and explore, so we'll mostly be just sleeping and maybe hanging out a little, eating bread, cheese, olive oil, and drinking vino....

And J62, that place looks interesting, as well..we're still open for ideas, but thanks to both again..

Here are a few places I've gotten info on for our trip in the spring...we're two couples in our 50's. It was a little harder finding an apartment that rents less than a week...but definitely less expensive than hotels.

Recommended on this forum and Slow Travel, in Montepulciano, views, computer, 120E, downside is it's only one bath.
http://www.politian.com/

Outskirts of San Quirico d'Orcia, 5-10 minute walk into town.
2 bath newer condo, outside patio, 150E
http://www.tuscanhillstravel.com/
also at http://www.vrbo.com/144563

In Monticchello, 2 bath, no LR, outside patio, 800 yr old building, washing machine, 100E, 1 bedroom completely separate...may be a little quirky but a great price and if you love older buildings...
http://www.lemaribelle.it/maribelle3.en.php

Have fun planning!

We're two couples in our fifties as well and planning our first trip to Italy. Here are a couple I have found. Pam, we are looking for the exact same thing. Somewhere close enough to a village so we can walk and find a meal (after several vino's out on the patio) but somewhere that has a "feel" to it. Though I do like the look of Zoecat's suggestion. I do find it annoying that a lot of rentals don't show their rates, I like to see straight away if a particular place is in our budget or not.

www.accommodation-tuscany.it/Aboutus.htm

http://www.terredinano.com/pages_eng...o_toscana.aspx

www.appartamentialpoggiolo.it/

Good luck with your house hunting.

Pam...The condo in San Quirico isn't 150E..it's $150! Sorry.

The rates for Fonte Bertusi are on their website, just click where it says "rates" on the home page. There is a daily rate and also a weekly rate for each apartment. Here is a link taking you directly to the rates-

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/price...s-rooms-bb.asp

zoecat, I love those apartments but wish they had two bathrooms. Its just too hard trying to get 4 people through one bathroom when you are trying to get out for the day. And two separate rooms is out of our budget.

Thanks so-0-0 much for all your feedback..We just returned from Florida visiting our friends we're travelling with. We locked in our 6-week calendar for days here, days there, etc. Now we're looking at lodging at each location...I've quickly glanced at the suggestions from everyone, and they look like just what we want..after researching some more, I will have questions and hope you'll be there..

Great ideas Travelfan, and Maudie if you go before us, I'll look forward to suggestions..and Zoecat,I don't how I missed the rates page...duh, but I did find it. Gotta run..again thanks. Pam

Hi Pam, let us know what you decide, we won't be going for ages yet.