Poggiolo Apt's/Montepulciano - Maribelle 1/Monticchiello...how difficult with a car/would you recommend using as a base?

This is a tough one because it is so beautiful and peaceful when you are staying in the country. I've done that and it was great. However, I like to have a glass or two of wine with dinner - I think it is an important part of the meal especially in Italy. I couldn't/wouldn't do that when I had to drive home from the town at the bottom of the hill. Our villa was on top of a small hill with winding roads to get there (think small switchbacks). Did that ruin my vacation - not at all. But it is something for me personally to consider the next time I rent a place.

Look at this one---I love San Quirico as a location to explore.
www.house-in-tuscany.com

We will certainly have wine with dinner! Even if we stay in town I know at least one night I want to have dinner at Grappolo Blu in Montalcino.
Decisions, decisions!

Bob - Wow! Looks wonderful. Love the terrace as I'm an early riser and can see myself having coffee there first thing in the morning and a glass of wine at the end of the day!

I was looking into some places in San Quirico thinking it might be easier to get in and out.

Thanks so much.

It is a dilemma. My sister & I stayed on the edge of Montepulciano in an apartment at Montorio. We rented the two bedroom...it has wonderful view. When we wanted to go into Montepulciano we parked in the upper lot...so we wouldn't have to climb to the top.
http://www.montorio.com/

I know, this only adds to your confusion....but it is another choice.
It was an easy, lovley drive to Monticciello/La Porta restaurant.

Wow...the SQ house is so lovely, thanks for the link. For me the problem with this house would be that I wouldn't want to venture out and explore - I'd be content to stay in and enjoy all the house had to offer!

It is indeed a dilemma whether to stay in the country or in a village. We've done it both ways and they were equally enjoyable, just in different aspects. Make one choice and then vow to go back next year and do the opposite!

We are staying at this apartment in Montepulciano.

www.appartamentialpoggiolo.it

It's in town, but on the edge of it, and has its own parking area. It will be easy for us to get in and out of the town for day trips around Tuscany, but we don't have to drive through town or search for somewhere to park each time we return.

We chose it after reading great reviews on the Fodor's site.

We are also staying at the above property with a car and I was going to suggest that until I saw the others poster's suggestion. SC Foodie, when will you be there?

Hi Peteralan - We'll be there Nov 1 - Nov 8. When are you there?

We are booked in for the week 13 Sept - 19 Sept. Really looking forward to it!

Peteralan - I'd love to hear what your trip is like when you get back! And your opinion of the apartment. What number apartment are you renting? We're in #3.

Have they given you a detailed list of what is supplied and what you (and we) have to bring? I was just getting ready to send them an email about that.

travelfan1 - have you found a place to stay? Let us know what you decide!

Hi SCFoodie. I will definitely get back to you after our trip . It will be nearly time for you to go if you haven't already because we aren't home until 17 October. When will you actually set off? We are in apartment 1.No they haven't told us we need to supply anything. I would be happy if you could let me know what reply you get. Many thanks.

SCFoodie:
I see you are arriving on November 1st and have asked elsewhere about the All Saints holy day.

We were there last year and were totally unprepared for what we found.

So I've posted a thread about it. Thought you might be interested.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35125574

In your title were you referring to the Al Poggiolo Apts right in Montepulciano? We stayed there a week and I honestly think it's the best of both worlds. Sitting on our balcony, looking over the old gardens and into the countryside -- it would be a strain to even believe you were in town. You see nothing of the town from there, but all countryside instead. It has no feel of being in town. Yet if you turn around and go out the front door, there it all is within easy walking distance.

Put me in the camp that doesn't want to drive at night, drink, then drive back into the dark countryside. I LOVED that place.

By the way, if you're there in November, get the apt we had with the little fireplace on the outside balcony. That would be wonderful -- able to sit outside, yet be warmed by the fire.

JeanneB - thank you for the reference to your post. I read your report - great info to have. I am hoping that since the holiday is on a Saturday, many people will start their travels on Friday evening. But we'll be prepared for major traffic out of the Florence area just in case (we land at the Florence airport at 12:15 in the afternoon.) We are going to contact our landlord to request reservations at a restaurant in town for dinner on Saturday evening, and maybe even Sunday evening. At least we have no plans to drive anywhere on Sunday!

NeoPatrick - We think we're in the same apartment you had - #3! We chose it because it was on the top floor, had the outdoor grill/fireplace and the photos showed an awesome view. Any chance you remember what "necessities" were supplied and what you had to bring with you? We are still a little concerned about finding an open supermarket on the Nov. 1 holiday.

Hi SCFoodie and Peteralan,

We stayed at Poggiolo Appt's two years ago in March and it was the highlight of our 4 week Italian trip. We also had apartment number 3. The pictures on the website don't do the apartment justice; it's even better in person. Just make sure you are in good shape to tackle the stairs at the apartment and Montepulciano in general! We loved Montepulciano and in March it was deserted and lovely. We wore winter clothes as it was cool in March but the atmosphere was just amazing. This years trip was to France which we loved also but my heart belongs to Italy. Have a great trip!

SCF:
You're welcome. On Sunday, you might want to reserve for lunch instead of dinner. Chances are your restaurant will be full of big Italian families celebrating the holiday. Sunday lunch was one of our highlights.

Surely the stores along the autostrada will be open Saturday. Perhaps your landlord could answer that?

Have a wonderful trip. It's a beautiful time to be there.

Peteralan - We leave for Italy on October 31. I sent you an email with other info.

JeanneB - Yes, we're counting on shopping at the stores on the autostrade! I'll check with the landlord about lunch reservations on Sunday.

NeoPatrick and Colleen - any recommendations for restaurants for dinner on Saturday night and lunch on Sunday? We like casual, inexpensive to moderately priced meals. Nothing fancy. A nice antipasti or pizza and a pasta with a glass (or two!) of the house red wine make us happy! Thanks in advance for your help.

Gee, we Fodorites should start leaving each other notes if we're all renting the exact same apartment. Yes, we loved that apartment. There were only two of us, but we used the second bedroom as a "luggage storage/walk in closet/dressing room. And it was nice having the extra bathroom too!

I'm not sure what's open on Sunday, except we did have dinner on Sunday night at Al Quattro Venti up on the main square.

We did enjoy the funky but cheap and popular Florentine steak place -- Acquacheta. We ate there twice! And we ate twice at Merzocca, which was probably our favorite in the town overall. Our most expensive dinner in Montepulciano was on the terrace at Cafe Poliziano -- and it was superb. And our lunch at La Grotta was wonderful. Probably our least favorite was Diva and Maceo (?), which was probably the most highly recommended. Go figure.

We, too, ate at Acquacheta, and will return next month - our meal was delicious! La Grotta, as well (you'll walk downhill for dinner, and will walk your dinner off on the return) was memorable - I agree with NeoPatrick.