A friend of mine and her two teenage sons are traveling in Italy this August and are planning to be in the Florence area for 4 - 5 days. Does anyone have recommendations for a well-appointed hotel or Villa close to Florence (but not in the city)? They plan on taking day trips to Florence, Pisa/Lucca & Cinque Terra and are also looking for a good tour guide to accompany them.
It would be preferable if the accomodations came with a swimming pool and table tennis (something to keep the boys busy) and be in a location with good access to the freeway.
They should stay closer to Lucca if they want to go to the Cinque Terre, Pisa, Lucca..and Florence. Travelling from Florence in the summer is a mistake.
The tiny highway can be filled and STOPPED with traffic!
If they are taking the train that is a different story!
Your friends might look into "agritourism". This refers to numerous old villas in Tuscany which are usually attached to wineries or at least vinyards. Many of these villas have been fabulously refurbished to 4 star hotel standards with swiming pools and other amenities. Just google "Agritourism in Tuscany", there are nunerous listings showing locations aminities and pictures of the property. I can't offer any help on the tour guide but I'm sure someone else will have some recomemdations for that.
