Italian Companies To Consider

Direct-to-owner rentals are certainly available in Italy (See "Websites to Visit"), but if you want the security of dealing with an experienced rental agent (who can step in if things go wrong), here are just a few of the many excellent agencies you might consider.

Roman Reference (www.romanreference.com), as the name suggests, this is for the city of Rome only.
Venetian Apartments (www.venice-rentals.com)
Lodging in Florence (www.lodginginflorence.com)
Regione Toscana's website (www.agriturismo.regione.toscana.it), has a government run clearinghouse for farmstays in Tuscany; some are simple room rentals, others are for stand-alone homes and apartments.
Bellvilla (www.belvilla.co.uk), for all regions.
Home Base Abroad (Pictured above; www.homebase-abroad.com), good for Tuscany, Umbria, Amalfi Coast and Lake Como.