Streamliner

My wife and I are taking our first trip to Italy in early October. We fly into Rome for four nights, then take the train to the Tuscan countryside for three nights, ending with five nights in Florence.

We are not all that into museums. We truly enjoy great food, good wine, simple sightseeing and shopping. My wife would like to take a half day cooking class.

As we get older, we really look for quiet, COMFORTABLE places to stay. In Rome, we are booked at the St. Regis. In Florence, we are at the Four Seasons. However, for Tuscany, we just can't seem to decide where to stay and would appreciate any suggestions. There are no Four Seasons there, so what's next best or even something better?

Also, we prefer not to drive a car there. Does anyone have any information on booking a car with a driver for a day and what that might cost?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ekscrunchy

You are a bit confused. Florence is IN the region of Tuscany.


First tell us where in Tuscany, outside Florence, you want to stay and we can give suggestions. I think you will be delighted to learn of all the luxurious non-chain hotels in the area.

Look at Il Falconiere in Cortona.http://www.relaischateaux.com/en/sea.../#.VWZSRUvolZg

In Montalcino, this is new, from Rosewood:

http://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/castiglion-del-bosco

Finally, my sister and partner, who are very fussy about where they stay, and have a generous budget, loved their stay at La Saracina a few years back:

http://www.lasaracina.it/home.en.php

Adoc86

Not a hotel, but I highly recommend Follonico in Monte Follonico. Its a picturesque B&B in a perfect location to visit many of the surrounding hill towns. Suzanne and Fabio are fabulous hosts! The property is adjacent to a vineyard and there is a beautiful view of Pienza.

I think visiting Tuscany will be difficult without a car, but maybe others will have good advice regarding that. We rented a car for our week-long visit and found driving around the area to be extremely easy.

Here is the link to Follonico's website http://www.follonico.com/

Flame123

For a lovely day or dayss of touring around the Tuscan countryside without a car, I highly recommend you book with Luca of www.hillsandroads.com. He is highly recommended on this board by many Fodorites.

He is a lovely young man, intelligent and funny, full of information and in love with his country. He has private tours as well as small group tours available now. Check his website for more information. He gets booked up quickly so don't wait till the last minute. We fell in love with Tuscany mostly because of his enthusiasm and wonderful two days we spent on the tour. He will tailor the private tour to your likes, capabilities, etc.

Have a wonderful trip.

Streamliner

First of all, THANK you for all your helpful suggestions.

I am aware that Florence is in Tuscany, but I don't think visiting the small towns in the countryside, using Florence as a base is a good idea, as I think we would spend too much time getting out there each day. As for what part of the Tuscan countryside, we are open to suggestions.

Again, we are not big on B&B's, much preferring something more along the lines of a small hotel, etc.

We are now thinking of renting a car in the countryside. Any tips there?

Thanks again!

Flame123

Well, I believe the most beautiful part of Tuscany is the Val d'Orcia countryside. In that area, you have beautiful small towns such as Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, to name just a few. All are beautiful, all are a wonderful experience. And yes, it WOULD be a hassle to stay in Florence while traveling with a car in the countryside, not to mention you might get caught traveling in the ZTL zone, one that is only open to residents or those that have special permits.

We have always stayed in agriturismos, or small B&B's in the Tuscan countryside but I know there are small hotels and even some that can be quite luxurious, just have not been to any. Others will surely send you suggestions on that.

Sassafrass

Florence is really all about art and you are spending the most time there. You might want a different base for that amount of time and less in Florence. There are many, many great hotels in Italy that are not chains, but are beautiful and unique in outstanding locations with excellent service.

ILUVPARIS

These are all quite nice. I've stayed at all of these and would recommend them. Il Borgo at Banfi is very nice but it felt very far removed ---in terms of going to dinner at night. They do have a very nice restaurant on property. I like Castello di Velona a lot as well as the location. It's been renovated since we stayed there about 10 years ago. Il Falconiere is beautiful but we tend to like the Val d'Orcia area better than Cortona.


http://www.castellodivelona.it/

http://castellobanfiilborgo.com/en/hotel/

http://www.ilfalconiere.it/


And as previously mentioned, this is probably one of the nicest places in all of rural Tuscany:
http://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/castiglion-del-bosco

If you are considering the Chianti region, Villa Bordoni is beautiful:

http://www.villabordoni.com/en/


Have a great trip!

sandralist

Friends of mine recently stayed at Castel Monsatero and raved about it.

http://www.castelmonastero.com/en/home

sandralist

Sorry for my typo! Monastero.

I'll also add that the husband in the couple, due to work, has an absolutely brutal travel schedule, and probably spends more than 100 nights per year in hotel rooms all over the world. So he's not easily impressed.

bobthenavigator

Locanda dell Amorosa

raincitygirl

You will be happy to have a car for the Tuscan countryside.

I can recommend Villa Bordoni, we stayed there for a week a few years ago.
It is really lovely, and it is a small boutique hotel so you feel more like you are in a big country house than in a resort. It was quiet, rooms beautifully decorated, best breakfast I've had in an Italian hotel, really good staff and a restaurant with delicious food. It was all very elegantly understated but fabulous.

It is also within range (by car)of all kinds of good restaurants which the staff are happy to advise you about and book for you.

ekscrunchy

Sorry I did not mean to be snarky with my comment about Florence being in Tuscany.

Agree that you should rethink having the car. Or commit to minimum two days with a driver; Flame has given you a great tip above. If budget is generous, that would be the way to go--to book a private driver for the length fo your stay in the countryside, which allows you to sample wine and avoid parking headaches. (The driving itself is easy)

Also agree that Val d/Orcia is spectacular. I'd lean toward checking out the Rosewood in Montalcino.

HappyTrvlr

We spent a wonderful week at Il Falconoere below Cortona. The dining room and service in the hotel were outstanding.

dac

Another vote for Locanda Amorosa! Have stayed there twice. Beautiful!

etruscan

For those who recommended Villa Bordoni, the farmhouse nextdoor has started to rent out one of their cottages and/or rooms. It would be a way to stay in the same beautiful location at a fraction of the price.

http://poderesomigli.it/

Jean

So, Streamliner, where did you stay?

HappyTrvlr

A poster above mentioned Il Falconiere adjacent to Cortona, setting is in vineyards below the hill top town. We spent a week there and many of the guests were return visitors, a yearly trip for them.
Go for the top room level offered. Their dining room is terrific. Family owned.