ITALY Readers's Tips - I think you're right that staying in a hotel is simpler than renting a villa in the countryside. As you may have read elsewhere, the word villa is used quite loosely in Italy to describe a rental property in the country.The word villa certainly conjures up something quite grand but it might not be.What you might be comparing is a restored farmhouse or farm building in the country with a city hotel. Renting a villa allows one to cook simple or more elaborate meals and usually gives you much more space than in a hotel.It allows you to experience and explore the countryside and many small villages much more easily than you can without a car. However, staying in a villa in the countryside cuts you off from nighttime city events such as concerts and seeing the major monuments lit up at night, unless you were within easy driving distance. Florence does offer easy access to many destinations with public transportation. If you like the idea of an apartment and being able to buy some of the great produce and other foods you see and prepare a few simple meals, you could rent an apartment in Florence. Best wishes with your decision.

I think it also depends on what you want to do during your stay.If you want to spend most of your time in Florence and Siena, for example, you'll be parking the car most of the time, likely for a fee.If, however, you want to visit several of the smaller hilltowns and explore the countryside, a car is the ideal mode of transport, and for such a purpose a villa, which likely has free and easy parking, may well suit you better.Either option could suit you well, depending on your plans. You could always rent an apartment in Florence.ometimes you will get nicer accommodations for a lot less than a hotel.here are some good websites with alternatives to hotels.www.lidayrentals.m is one that I have been looking at recently for apartment rentals in Paris. In Florence we stayed in an apartment, it was very nice and comfortable and cheaper than most hotels there.ake a look at www.saspinelli.m you're right about the car, you can get most places by train from Florence, you can also rent a bike and take it on the train with you and bike through the countryside. did that last time I stayed in Florence.

I wanted to advise all travelers who are thinking of going to Umbria and going to Palazzo Terranova, that the management has changed and that they are not honoring their financial obligations.Beware and be careful traveler, as this has resulted in our having to hire lawyers to seek a refund of our deposit which is over 850.

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