One place or two in Tuscany?
Feb 4th, 2006, 09:33 AM
#1
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One place or two in Tuscany?
My husband and I will be spending 6 days in Tuscany in May and we are having trouble deciding whether to stay put for those days in one place or stay in one place in Southern Tuscany and then move to another before heading to Venice. This is our first time to Itay and would like to at least visit Florence, Siena, Montelpulciano, Montalcino, Val D'Orcia and if time permits possibly some areas in Umbria. Is this too much for 6 days?
Also, does Villa Ciccolina or Palazzo del Capitano seem like a good base?
Also, does Villa Ciccolina or Palazzo del Capitano seem like a good base?
Feb 4th, 2006, 10:07 AM
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I stayed for two weeks in Val D'Orcia, and while I loved the town (Vivo), the basic drive to get to other destinations each day got a little tedious. I think three nights each in two different centrally located towns would be a great way to see lots of villages and a city or two without too much redundant travel time.
Feb 4th, 2006, 11:50 AM
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Totally agree with the 3 and 3, but you might not want to try to get to Umbria on this trip. You could be spreading yourself too thin. Besides, most of us go back. And back.
Have a wonderful trip.
Have a wonderful trip.
Feb 4th, 2006, 12:29 PM
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I am one that likes to move as little as possible.
But, a split of the time would be better for you if you are thinking Florence and Val D"Orcia. How much of your time do you want to spend getting from place to place?
And if you choose to linger for dinner somewhere, you are stuck driving a long way back.
You can always return. Do not sell the towns you want to visit short.
Have a wonderful trip.
But, a split of the time would be better for you if you are thinking Florence and Val D"Orcia. How much of your time do you want to spend getting from place to place?
And if you choose to linger for dinner somewhere, you are stuck driving a long way back.
You can always return. Do not sell the towns you want to visit short.
Have a wonderful trip.
Feb 5th, 2006, 07:07 AM
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Can you recommend places to stay in the areas you all suggested? I'm emailing Palazzo del Capitano and Villa Ciccolina for the areas near Pienza and San Quirico but am not sure of any place near the Chianti or San Gimmy area.
Feb 5th, 2006, 09:50 AM
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In San Gim. look at Hotel La Cisterna !
Just outside, a rustic place named Hotel Pescille
Near Colle, look at Villa Belvedere.
Do not miss www.letraverse.it near Pienza---rural B&B
Just outside, a rustic place named Hotel Pescille
Near Colle, look at Villa Belvedere.
Do not miss www.letraverse.it near Pienza---rural B&B
Feb 5th, 2006, 01:01 PM
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We loved San Gimignano. In addition, we were very pleased with our stay at Antico Pozzo (www.anticopozzo.com). Just as you're considering, on one trip in May we stayed 3 nights in SAn Gimignao and 3 nights at Locanda dell Amorosa in southern Tuscany. It was glorious! Hope this helps with your planning...
Feb 6th, 2006, 02:56 AM
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Which is the nearest train station to Locanda dell Amorosa? Is it close by to a town if we would like to go into dinner at night and not have to drive too far to get back to hotel.
Place looks beautiful!
Place looks beautiful!
Feb 6th, 2006, 05:22 AM
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I believe the closest train station to Locanda dell Amorosa would be Chiusi although when we were there we returned our rental car to Orvieto and took the train to Rome from there. Had I known about Chiusi, I would have utilized it for the rental car return/train. The nearest town is Sinalunga. We only ate pizza one night in Sinalunga and ate at La Grotta at the base of Montapulciano for a lovely dinner another night. Our last night we ate at Locanda - wonderful dining experience. The other place we've stayed in southern Tuscany (we're returning this next May) was recommended by StuDudley - La Saracina. It is a much smaller place (about 6 rooms) but I highly recommend it as well. It is halfway between Montapulciano and Pienza. The nearest train station is also Chiusi. (www.lasaracina.it) Check it out as well. I'd be glad to provide more information about the differences and similarities if you'd like.
Feb 6th, 2006, 05:44 AM
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Didi,
We have stayed at Locanda several times..you will love it...but Sinalunga has little going for it outside of the inn....the restaurant at Locanda is really beautiful and has excellent food...try driving into Trequanda, very close by, to have a meal at Conte Matto...great experience...Trequanda is VERY TINY...
also highly recommend a meal at Il Falconieri in Cortona...a bit of a drive, but lunch would be daytime driving...also memorable..more upscale than Conte...both worth the trips..
We have stayed at Locanda several times..you will love it...but Sinalunga has little going for it outside of the inn....the restaurant at Locanda is really beautiful and has excellent food...try driving into Trequanda, very close by, to have a meal at Conte Matto...great experience...Trequanda is VERY TINY...
also highly recommend a meal at Il Falconieri in Cortona...a bit of a drive, but lunch would be daytime driving...also memorable..more upscale than Conte...both worth the trips..
Feb 6th, 2006, 06:53 AM
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I think you will enjoy the countryside around La Saracina or Palazzo del Capitano, a lot more than the area around Locanda dell Amorosa. There are more restaurant options in the Montepulciano/Pienza,San Q/and Montalcino region. La Chuisa in Monteffollonico is probably just as nice of a restaurant as the Amorosa restaurant. I've dined at La Chuisa three times, but have only walked through & examined the menu at Amorosa - never dined there.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Feb 6th, 2006, 07:32 AM
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We are considering La Saracina also. Could you explain it a bit more, is it hilly or countryside, can you walk to any restaurants? How far to drive to dinner if not? Is there a specific room you would recommend? What are the bathrooms like? I've looked at the website but the pictures are limited. I just want a mental picture to look forward to! We are going for 2 weeks in Sept. Thank you for any information!
Feb 6th, 2006, 08:44 AM
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La Saracina is just off the main road between Montepulciano and Pienza. It is one of our two "most favorite" hotels in Europe. It is an old farmhouse renovated in the early 90s. Only about 6 rooms. There are fantastic views over the Tuscany countryside from the hotel It has a large swimming pool, tennis court, and some vineyards & olive trees. It is more of a B&B than a full service hotel. No bars to serve you drinks, or nobody to haul your bags. The owners will, hovever, give you great advice about things to do in the area. They live "upstairs" in the main house. There is a very lovely sunny breakfast room.
The rooms are huge. Malvinsa is the best, followed by Trabbiano. We've stayed in both. One time, 5 couples - all college chum - met there for an "occasion" and we took up almost all the rooms. There is a shower in the Malvinsa that has two shower heads, and so large that a curtain is not needed. There is a tub/jaccuzi that you can do laps in. Double sinks. Ralph Lauren towels (at least when we were there in the late 90s) Large bedrooms.
It's in the countryside - can't walk to a town. Montepulciano is less than 10 mins away by car, so is Pienza. There are plenty of restaurants in both towns. La Grotto next to the big church is one of our favorites - it's only about 7 mins away. La Chiusa, a Michelin 1 star restaurant is about 15 mins away. I could not think of a more restful spot - you may not want to leave.
The pictures on their web-site do not do it justice.
We have sent many close friends there - and they all loved it. Many Fodorites & aol travel people have always "raved" about it.
Perhaps Loconda will "pamper" you more, but you will fall in love with Tuscany at la Saracina.
Stu Dudley
The rooms are huge. Malvinsa is the best, followed by Trabbiano. We've stayed in both. One time, 5 couples - all college chum - met there for an "occasion" and we took up almost all the rooms. There is a shower in the Malvinsa that has two shower heads, and so large that a curtain is not needed. There is a tub/jaccuzi that you can do laps in. Double sinks. Ralph Lauren towels (at least when we were there in the late 90s) Large bedrooms.
It's in the countryside - can't walk to a town. Montepulciano is less than 10 mins away by car, so is Pienza. There are plenty of restaurants in both towns. La Grotto next to the big church is one of our favorites - it's only about 7 mins away. La Chiusa, a Michelin 1 star restaurant is about 15 mins away. I could not think of a more restful spot - you may not want to leave.
The pictures on their web-site do not do it justice.
We have sent many close friends there - and they all loved it. Many Fodorites & aol travel people have always "raved" about it.
Perhaps Loconda will "pamper" you more, but you will fall in love with Tuscany at la Saracina.
Stu Dudley
Feb 6th, 2006, 09:17 AM
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Fantastic review, thank you! Sounds like what we are looking for. So bring our own wine if we want a glass in the evening? I have put in a request for Malvasia. This site has helped so much, thanks again.
Feb 6th, 2006, 09:23 AM
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Unfortunately La Sarcina cannot accommodate us for 1 day out of the time we will be there. We aren't sure if we wanted to stay someplace else just for one night before moving there.
With that said, any preferences between either Palazzo del Capitano and Villa Cicolina and if so why?
With that said, any preferences between either Palazzo del Capitano and Villa Cicolina and if so why?
Feb 6th, 2006, 10:44 AM
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StuDudley recommended La Saracina to us this past May when Locanda dell Amorosa was booked up. He's right - the website pictures don't do it justice. While both properties offer wonderful accomodations, La Saracina is, indeed, more of a b&b. The owner, Simonetta, was very helpful each morning in helping us plan out our day, secure dinner reservations, and each evening we had our own wine by the pool overlooking Montapulciano in the distance. The location is slightly more convenient at La Saracina. We're returning this May. I had a difficult time deciding which of these two I wanted to return to - because of the location, I chose La Saracina. That said, a stay at Locanda dell Amorosa would also be delightful.
