has anyone stayed in a great villa in italy? i would like one with a pool and that has room for 8-12 people. i hear some even come with cooks. any suggestions will be appreciated.

Do a search here. Plenty of companies recommended many times over.

Check www.slowtrav.com They/we have listed every agency you could need. Then prepare to spend hours looking through the villas. I'm not exaggerating when I say there are hundreds.

La Limonia, Sovicille near Siena. Sleeps eight in four bedrooms, each with its's own bath. Servants quarters, washer. Wonderful pool. Arrangements can be made for a cook. There is a housekeeper.

Jody, I know a fabulous villa near Lucca that sleeps ten and has a cook as an option. I will be visting the owner in Oct. and will be seeing the villa first hand. Contact me directly if you want to know more.

The best site I've seen, for villa info and photos is <BR>www.Travel-Italy.com

Jody, I'm also looking for a villa for next summer. Got two amazing big catalogs of properties all over Italy from The Parker Company (www.theparkercompany.com) and www.tuscanynow.com. These are both filled with lots of information and pictures of hundreds of villas, apartments, farmhouses, etc. in every price range. Happy hunting! I still haven't made up my mind..