Trip to Italy - Top Choices
 

I am traveling to Italy with my husbnd and two kids (16 and 11). We are staying "home base" in Florence and we want to do Euro trips to Venice and Rome. WE are staying for 8 days. Where is the best place to stay in florence (looking for a nice villa / apartment) that is close to the Heart of florence, cafe's, restaurants and shopping. Any advice on Must See's in those 3 locations would be appreciated as well - also knowing what would be cool for kids my age! Thanks!!!

wrong forum-try posting this in the Europe forum.

Yes, you should post in the Europe forum, but I can advise here.

Check sleepinginflorence.com and
florenceapartmentrentals.net.

We rented the Donati apartment off florenceapartmentrentals, and it worked out well -- good location, clean, well maintained, offsite contact person who was very helpful.

You can also go to slowtravel.com to read reviews of apts. in Florence.

I am not sure I understand why you are going to go back and forth from Florence. Much travel for no reason.
Fly into Rome and spend 3 nights. Take the train to Florence and spend 3 nights. Take the train to Venice and spend 2 nights. Fly home from Venice. You have just cut out 2 train rides and 6 to 8 hours of travel.

correction: that's slowtrav.com