"bob" > wrote in message
> My wife and I planned to take a similar trip (also taking in Venice
> and Rome), and renting a villa near enough to Florence that we could
> spend a week to ten days enjoying Florence's art & culinary treasures.
>

Sorry to hear of your problem. If you do go, this is the place we rented.
It was a great location, reasonable price, outstanding facilities.

http://www.villeinitalia.com/houses/...tHouseNumber=8

The agent was good also. This is just outside of Florence so you can drive
in in 20 minutes or take the train nearby.

The drive from here to Venice is about 3 hours.