Monticchiello

It is not nearly as hilly as Montepulciano. It is a very small town.

I agree with zoecat - not as hilly. It's much smaller than Montepulciano - quieter. The view from Osteria la Porta is magnificent! I've eaten there at lunch several times. The food is delicious - one of my favorite restaurants in Tuscany. The lady who owns it is very friendly, and I imagine would be a delight from whom to rent. Hope this helps...

We would bew very happy staying in Monticchiello, as it is easy to drive in and out. Also along with La Porta thee is another great rstaurant there, the Taverna di Moranda. We've eaten there five times and it was the best meal we have ever had in Italy. We were just in Italy 2 mos ago and ate their 2 nights in a row as we were staying in Pienza. Massimo the chef is a magician.

Would you mine telling us your budget?

Marycang: I smiled when I read that because my sister just returned from a visit to Italy which included about a week in Pienza.

I asked her where they had eaten and she mentioned that one of their favorite meals was in Montichiello.

So of course I responded, "La Porta." But while they liked La Porta a lot, they absolutely adored Taverna di Moranda. So the southern Tuscany portion of my restaurant list is now longer by one name.

Thanks all of you for such a prompt response.
Ira, there are 3 of us and we are looking for a 2 week stay (June 2010). Our budget, I would say, around 600- 800 euros a week. We definitely want to stay in a city center: some day trips and no driving at night. We want to practice our Italian, stroll around, cook and relax! Pienza is another option (it seems more flat).

There should be quite a few places in Pienza in your price range. I have a list of apartments if you need them. I stayed at Il Giardino Segreto last fall which is in the historic center and has a nice garden. I had the smallest apartment (La Serra - 45€)and I would suggest you try to book something bigger as the bedroom was up some steep stairs and there was really nowhere to sit downstairs except at the kitchen table. The other apartments are bigger and the seating a bit better.
http://www.ilgiardinosegretopienza.it/

Hello kybourbon. I seem to recall reading a post, or trip report about your stay in the apartment. Can you point me to it?

I wonder how many of us have eaten at La Porta? (hand raised)

Hi Kybourbon,
I've seen the Giardino Segreto and it seems nice. I already emailed them regarding the two bigger apartments. I am also considering Antica Locanda (Pienza and San Quirico). I would love to be in an older building. I would like to see your list, and the thread that "nancythenice" mentioned. Would you post it here or do you want to send to my email?
No doubt, La Porta is a favorite!
Thanks!

I think you'd be happier in Pienza or San Quirico. Monticchiello is sweet, but it's tiny and doesn't even rate as a "comune'; it's just a "localita".

There's a palazzo in the center of San Quirico with at least one large rental apartment. I can't recall the name, but Google should bring it up.

Google did: It's Palazzo Costanti. The apartment has a living room, smaller sitting room, eat-in kitchen and two bedrooms and rents for 1000 Euro a week.

Thanks Zerlina!
We also had the feeling that we will have more options either in San Quirico or Pienza. I saw the Palazzo Costanti, it's gorgeous, but more than we can afford. I already found about 10 appartments in Pienza and S. Quirico. I am contacting them. Let's see!
Thanks again,
Martha

If you will consider Montepulciano, I had gotten a weekly rate of 550E for this two bedroom in Montepulcaino....great views, computer and highly recommended here and on Slow Travel. It was between this one and Il Giardino Segreto in Pienza for our trip in April 2010. Turned out the apartment was already booked so I reserved an apartment and room at Segreto.

http://www.politian.com/

Have a wonderful trip.

Travelfan1,
Well, Montepulciano should be our first choice, but... we are 4 friends turning 60 this year and we heard that the city is quite steep so I don't think that our wrecked knees will let us do all the climbing for 2 weeks!
Thanks for the feedback!

I didn't write a trip report. I spent a couple of nights at Il Giardino Segreto on my way from Orvieto to Siena. I was traveling alone and stayed in the smallest apartment which doesn't have as many amenities as the others. The garden gates are locked at night and you are given a key to enter. If you have any questions, just ask.

I checked out a few places in Pienza (I was on a bit of a scouting trip) for a future group trip. Most of these are apartments and some also have just rooms. Most will be in the weekly rate of around 350-500 for an apartment for two. The Nautilis and Portale Pienza links will have direct contact to the owners of the properties.

Most apartments won't have AC if that matters to you.

http://www.santafrancesca.it/INGLESE/ilcorso/struttura.htm

http://www.soggiornoapienza.it/

http://www.ilgiglio.toscana.nu/

http://www.anticalocandapienza.com/

http://www.portalepienza.it/Siti_commerciali/Pienza_affittacamere/LaCasina_/lacasina_.html

http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/affitti/laquiete/index.html

http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/affitti/mauroechiara/index.html

http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/affitti/laginestrapienza/index.html

http://www.portalepienza.it/Siti_commerciali/Pienza_affittacamere/camereoliviera/camereoliviera.html

http://www.ilgiglio.toscana.nu/

http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/affitti/affittacameredelcorso/index.html

http://www.portalepienza.it/Siti_commerciali/Pienza_affittacamere/Camee_le_Mura/camee_le_mura.html

The Portale Pienza website has a list of bars/restaurants along with accommodations.
http://www.portalepienza.it/

I stopped at the wine bar Le Buca di Enea (pictures on Portale Pienza) which is around the corner from Il Giardino Segreto (nothing is more than a few minutes walk in Pienza). There was no one at Il Giardino when I arrived and the owner of Le Buca called them from me. I had the most wonderful bruschetta while waiting - the fresh Pienza pecorino was melted, topped with toasted pine nuts and drizzled with honey. The place is tiny with only about 6 tables.

I also checked a few hotels in the area. Most hotels are at the edge of the old town, but within a few minutes walk. I have a list if you want them. A couple of them have pools.

Thanks Ky Bourbon. Is the hill really that much of a problem in Montepulciano? I too have worn out knees, but, for example, the apartment linked to by travelfan1 says it has parking in front of the house - which if true makes it sound like getting in the car to explore elsewhere wouldn't be a problem. Does the issue arise when you go out to a restaurant or to explore the town on foot?

Pienza would be my first choice, followed by San Quirico. If your knees bother you, I would pass on Montepulciano. If in Pienza, you must eat at Latte di Luna and Il Rosselino. Delicious food!

Kybourbon,
I went through "nautilus" and "portale pienza" and both have apartments that I haven´t seen before.I talked to my friends and we decided to narrow down to Pienza! We will visit the other places on day trips.
La Porta, Taverna di Moranda and Latte di Luna are on my list for dinner!
Thanks everybody!!!!