On Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:53:33 -0600, Christine Dabney
> wrote:

>On Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:35:47 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski" >
>wrote:
>
>
>>You have the right idea. The exchange rate sucks right now, but there are
>>bargains to be had on renting a villa. Some are going for half price,
>>others are negotiating the listed prices. Airfare is not all that bad, less
>>than it was a year ago.
>>
>>We've have breakfast at the villa, then head out for the day. We'd have or
>>main meal at a restaurant, then return to have a light dinner of whatever we
>>bought at the local markets. Usually some combination of: bread, cheese,
>>fruit, salami, and of course a bottle of wine.
>>
>>We stayed here on the last trip
>>http://www.villeinitalia.com/houses/...tHouseNumber=8
>>
>>I've not checked car rentals recently. In our case, it was about the same
>>price and faster to fly into Milan and drive to the villa than to lay over a
>>couple of hours and fly to Florence. The drive down was just part of the
>>tour and we drove to Venice and stayed for a couple of days before heading
>>home. .
>>
>>If you rent the place for a month and have people stat to split costs for a
>>week or so at a time, it would be a blast. Our first trip was 10 days, our
>>second was 12 days, our next will be at least two weeks.
>>
>>
>Oh thanks for that site!!
>
>Now, to start saving my money...and seeing who would be interested in
>a year or so....
>
>Christine

I agree- Tuscany. I have been very lucky to stay in Firenze/Florence
twice. But it is never long enough. The first time we stayed in a 2
Star(Probably) hotel and loved Firenze. The 2nd time, 3 years ago, we
spent a week in an apartment and that was wonderful too. Just looked
up places for rent on the Internet. (Virtual Tourist is a great site
too.) Wish I could go on your trip. It would be such fun but I have
too much family. Tuscany is gorgeous with soft air and unbelievable
light! Just mind blowing. Firenze has wonderful museums and food and
is too good to believe. Glad I have photos.

aloha,
Cea