We are a group of 6 adults (4 in their mid-twenties, 2 of us in our early 50s) traveling to Europe next summer and want to spend 4-5 days renting a villa in the Tuscan region. Does anyone have any recommendations on a particular city I should look into? I notice many villas require a weely rental. We will want to take a day trip to Florence. Also, we would like to see Cinque Terre, is it too far to visit as a day trip or do we need to plan to overnight in that area? While in Tuscany we would like to take a couple of day trips but also relax and enjoy the area food, wine, and surroundings. Thank you!

If you stay in the general area of Lucca you can day trip to both le CInque Terre and Florence. You might want to park your car at a local small train station and train trip in to both places, rather than battle parking and local traffic, plus unusual rules and regulations.

For your group, you might also consider renting apartments in an agriturismo that serves meals, which means you don't have to shop and cook, and clean up.

For instance, this is a wine-and olive oil producing agriturismo near Lucca that has apartments with kitchens, but you can also ask to have meals prepared for your group on request:

http://www.fattoriamaionchi.it/tuscan-holiday-farm.html

I think this place only takes week-long bookings ( although you can always e-mail and ask), and you may run into this with most villa rentals.

Some of these agriturismi near Lucca allow short term stays, and have restaurants.

http://en.agriturismo.it/tuscany/luc...nte=1&mezzap=1

good luck!

Or, save two middle men getting their piece of the pie and book directly from owners at VRBO.com
See hundreds of reviews at slowtrav.com for a start.

We had friends who got married in Sienna but had all their pre and post wedding festivities at this villa. All the adults stayed in the large villa - those with children stayed in the apartments which were quite nice. The villa would probably be too large for your group but the apartments might work out nicely. It is in a lovely area with easy access to Florence, Sienna, the Chianti area, etc.

http://www.ilcastagno.net/eng/index.asp

Thank you for your replies! The agriturismos look intriguing. We have booked through vrbo many times I will check that out also. AprilinParis, that villa looks lovely!

If you use a search site to locate a agriturismo or villa, you don't have to book through the site. All these places have websites of their own. Just google up the name of the place you like, plus the town it is in.

The 8 of us had a marvellous time at Villa Luciano!
Good base, Florence is 40 minutes by train, Cinque Terre 2 hours drive to visit as a day trip, Siena is one hour drive.... don't' miss!
Londa village is 5 minutes walk the two restaurants was delecious.
In Chianti Rufina area (20 minutes drive) I suggest you to visit Castello di Nipozzano winery guided tour at wine cellars and wine tasting.
Be sure to take a day or 2 to relax, enjoy the town the Villa
http://www.villaluciano.com

I have stayed here in the past, outside of Volterra yet near enough to drive to Florence for the day. The nearest autostrada is near Poggibonsi.
The owners may allow you to stay less than a week if they are not booked but I am not sure. It is a lovely villa.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationR...a_Tuscany.html