Ten-13 long-time friends (couples and one single) want to rent a nice villa in Tuscany from April 29-May 6, 2006. We want to be within short walking distance of an attractive town, with train and highways for day trips readily accessible. We want some dinners prepared for us at the villa. Recommendations?

You might have a look at this recent thread about a villa complex that sounds as if it could put your group up:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34665082

This is the Web site:

http://www.lupinari.com/

There is a villa rental agency that has quite a few large villas:

www.villeinitalia.com

We rented through Italy Farm Holidays....not all the properties are farms.
We stayed in a lovely apartment in Loro Ciuffenna....Molino Le Gualchiere.
One of the nice things about Italy Farm Holidays....Susan & Ralph Levey live in the New York...so making the arrangements was very easy. I'm sure that a phone call with all of you requirements would be an easy way to start your search.
914-631-7880
www.italyfarmholidays.com

You'll love Tuscany!!

Go to slowtrav.com for all things about rentals in Tuscany.

Thanks for your helpful comments.

I've looked at a number of the villa rental websites, but a challenge with many is that they lack easy ways to sort through their alternatives to find those that meet your criteria.