http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/lists/featureddestinations/paris

This was from one of my researches. You'll have to put your destination in for a search.

Our villa experience was wonderful! So much better than staying in a hotel. We could hire a cook to shop and fix our dinner and was it ever good. We were wise to do it our first night there because we were too tired to go out for dinner. Jet lag something awful.

While in Tuscany, try to visit the Banfi castle and shop. They have some wonderful items but don't let them ship them to you. They aren't real good at packing things so they won't break. An American couple own the castle.

I have a close friend who was born and raised in Italy. Would you like to contact her? If so, you can PM me and I'll get her contact info to you.