Tuscany recommendations - where to stay
Jul 9th, 2015, 10:01 AM
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Tuscany recommendations - where to stay
Does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay in Tuscany? Specifically somewhere in/near Siena or in the Val d'Orcia region (Montepulciano, Pienza, etc.)?
Do you recommend an agriturismo, B&B, apartment, or hotel?
It is for two people and we will have a car. I'm not sure whether we should stay in a town or near one. Originally I had thought that it would be a fun experience to stay in an agriturismo and have dinner there a few of the nights, however, maybe it would be better to be in a town so that there is more to do at night and maybe then we wouldn't have to drive as far.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Do you recommend an agriturismo, B&B, apartment, or hotel?
It is for two people and we will have a car. I'm not sure whether we should stay in a town or near one. Originally I had thought that it would be a fun experience to stay in an agriturismo and have dinner there a few of the nights, however, maybe it would be better to be in a town so that there is more to do at night and maybe then we wouldn't have to drive as far.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Jul 9th, 2015, 10:11 AM
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Really depends on how long you are traveling and want kind of experience of the region you want to have. But other than eat in restaurants, there is not much to do at night in a rural town in Tuscany, except take a walk if you like. In the ones with lots of tourits, there are sometimes cafes/bars where tourists hang out.
Some people really enjoy just settling into the countryside for a change, and having dinners made for them. Not all agristurismos are located far from through roads, and one of things I like about staying in them is that it is so easy to park!
Agriturismos that have both apartments and restaurants are to me ideal because I often like to eat a big lunch and then just have a light meal with wine at dinner, so having a kitchen really helps that. I also prefer to have my own breakfast at my preferred time.
Some people really enjoy just settling into the countryside for a change, and having dinners made for them. Not all agristurismos are located far from through roads, and one of things I like about staying in them is that it is so easy to park!
Agriturismos that have both apartments and restaurants are to me ideal because I often like to eat a big lunch and then just have a light meal with wine at dinner, so having a kitchen really helps that. I also prefer to have my own breakfast at my preferred time.
Jul 9th, 2015, 11:12 AM
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This may help:
BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TUSCANY
A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby
1. SANT’ ANTONIO APTS. http://www.santantonio.it/ Lovely apartments
in a rural setting near Montepulciano—very helpful owner
2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families
Isabella also has 2 apts. in Castelmuzio for rent—wonderful—see her site.
3. Terre di Nano www.terredinano.com 100 to 155
Both rooms and apartments at rural Agriturismo near Monticchiello
4. Casanova di Pescille http://www.casanovadipescille.com/ 100E
Rural B&B 3 KM from famed San Gimignano—we loved the views of San Gim.
5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti
6. Fonte Bertusi www.fontebertusi.it Lovely rural B&B near Pienza with apartments and pool. Wonderful décor by artistic family—fair prices.
7. New historic B&B north of Pienza. http://www.camprena.it/index.htm
Site of filming for THE ENGLISH PATIENT About 90E for double
8. http://www.borgoargenina.it/index.html A special rural B&B in Chianti.
The lovely owner, Elena, will make you feel like family. 170E for double
B. IN-TOWN LOCATIONS: For walking convenience to shops & ristorantes.
1. Palazzo del Capitano www.palazzodelcapitano.com 170 to 210E
Very nice small hotel in center of San Quirico—perfect location to explore.
2. Vecchia Oliviera www.vecchiaoliviera.com/ 150 to 200E
Nice 4 star hotel at the gate into lovely Montalcino---has pool.
3. Palazzina Cesari www.montalcinoitaly.com 80 to 110E
Lovely small B&B in heart of Montalcino—great value—2 night stay minimum.
4. Locanda di San Francesco www.locandasanfrancesco.it 180 to 200E
Nice boutique B&B in a lovely location in Montepulciano—great reviews !
5. Politian apartments http://www.politian.com/ Good value apts. with
minimum stay of 3 nights in Montepulciano---helpful host---85E
6. Palazzo Ravizza www.palazzoravizza.it 170 to 250E
Very nice & popular hotel in Siena with parking.
BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TUSCANY
A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby
1. SANT’ ANTONIO APTS. http://www.santantonio.it/ Lovely apartments
in a rural setting near Montepulciano—very helpful owner
2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families
Isabella also has 2 apts. in Castelmuzio for rent—wonderful—see her site.
3. Terre di Nano www.terredinano.com 100 to 155
Both rooms and apartments at rural Agriturismo near Monticchiello
4. Casanova di Pescille http://www.casanovadipescille.com/ 100E
Rural B&B 3 KM from famed San Gimignano—we loved the views of San Gim.
5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti
6. Fonte Bertusi www.fontebertusi.it Lovely rural B&B near Pienza with apartments and pool. Wonderful décor by artistic family—fair prices.
7. New historic B&B north of Pienza. http://www.camprena.it/index.htm
Site of filming for THE ENGLISH PATIENT About 90E for double
8. http://www.borgoargenina.it/index.html A special rural B&B in Chianti.
The lovely owner, Elena, will make you feel like family. 170E for double
B. IN-TOWN LOCATIONS: For walking convenience to shops & ristorantes.
1. Palazzo del Capitano www.palazzodelcapitano.com 170 to 210E
Very nice small hotel in center of San Quirico—perfect location to explore.
2. Vecchia Oliviera www.vecchiaoliviera.com/ 150 to 200E
Nice 4 star hotel at the gate into lovely Montalcino---has pool.
3. Palazzina Cesari www.montalcinoitaly.com 80 to 110E
Lovely small B&B in heart of Montalcino—great value—2 night stay minimum.
4. Locanda di San Francesco www.locandasanfrancesco.it 180 to 200E
Nice boutique B&B in a lovely location in Montepulciano—great reviews !
5. Politian apartments http://www.politian.com/ Good value apts. with
minimum stay of 3 nights in Montepulciano---helpful host---85E
6. Palazzo Ravizza www.palazzoravizza.it 170 to 250E
Very nice & popular hotel in Siena with parking.
Jul 9th, 2015, 11:30 AM
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We spent two nights at Hotel Alma Domus in Siena http://www.hotelalmadomus.it/inglese/index.php and one night at Fattoria Poggio Alloro near San Gimignano, though this might not quite be in the area you want. http://fattoriapoggioalloro.com/?lang=en/
Both places were great, though.
Lee Ann
Both places were great, though.
Lee Ann
Jul 9th, 2015, 01:16 PM
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After a day of touring, my husband & I prefer to park the car & walk (from our hotel) to a restaurant for our evening meal. So we like to stay in a town with several restaurant choices.
We have stayed twice in Pienza & once in San Gimignano where dinner was the main event of our evening. It was very pleasant to wander through the town after dinner ... minus all the day trippers!
It really does come down to what kind of experience you want.
Good luck with your planning!
We have stayed twice in Pienza & once in San Gimignano where dinner was the main event of our evening. It was very pleasant to wander through the town after dinner ... minus all the day trippers!
It really does come down to what kind of experience you want.
Good luck with your planning!
Jul 9th, 2015, 02:02 PM
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San Quirico - Loved staying there! A lovely quaint village with several good restaurants for evening meals, and a great location for exploring Tuscany during the day. We stayed in apartment for the week we were there.
Jul 10th, 2015, 10:22 AM
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If you plan on spending time in Siena, the previous poster's suggestion of The Alma Domus is a fabulous one... Siena is a larger town/small city and not necessarily an easy one to get in and out of, find parking, etc if you plan on spending several days... And the historic center is one that the flavors and textures change dramatically after 5pm when a majority of the tourists head for their tour buses... In the evenings, the town is much less crowded and a lot easier to enjoy... and to truly enjoy it, you'd want to be staying in the historic center... The Alma Domus is a historic "convent run" hotel in the center that has recently beautifully remodeled about half their rooms. The value is incredible for the location (3 minute stroll from Piazza del Campo)... You need to ask for one of the renovated rooms on the top floor with a view of The Duomo... I don't think you'd be disappointed... i most recently took a small group of 12 there in mid-June, and everyone loved it...
If, on the other hand, you'd prefer to be a little more rural, but still be in a village, you may want to consider Palazzo Squarcialupi in Castellina-in-Chianti, about a 15 minute drive north of Siena... Castellina is one of the original "Leauge of Chianti" hill towns and sits at the crossroads of, what most people consider, Chianti's two most scenic drives; The Chiantigiani , the north-south scenic roadway thru The Chianti Classico and SR429, the east-west scenic roadway that connects the "League" and runs from Poggibonsi-Castellina-Radda-Gaiole... Palazzo Squarcialupi sets on Castellina's pedestrian main street and is both a beautiful building/facility, and a wonderfully managed full service hotel (nice surfaces, pool, spa, restaurant, bar, etc)... here, you'll pay a little more, but the view from one of their "valley view" rooms is breathtaking... and being in the center of Castellina is truly wonderful... have fun!!!
If, on the other hand, you'd prefer to be a little more rural, but still be in a village, you may want to consider Palazzo Squarcialupi in Castellina-in-Chianti, about a 15 minute drive north of Siena... Castellina is one of the original "Leauge of Chianti" hill towns and sits at the crossroads of, what most people consider, Chianti's two most scenic drives; The Chiantigiani , the north-south scenic roadway thru The Chianti Classico and SR429, the east-west scenic roadway that connects the "League" and runs from Poggibonsi-Castellina-Radda-Gaiole... Palazzo Squarcialupi sets on Castellina's pedestrian main street and is both a beautiful building/facility, and a wonderfully managed full service hotel (nice surfaces, pool, spa, restaurant, bar, etc)... here, you'll pay a little more, but the view from one of their "valley view" rooms is breathtaking... and being in the center of Castellina is truly wonderful... have fun!!!
Jul 10th, 2015, 11:40 AM
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We spent a week at LaCrociona just outside Montalcino. Barbara and Fiorina the hosts (mother and daughter) are wonderful; quaint little apartments (we had 2 bedrooms), onsite restaurant, tasting room and pool.
Jul 10th, 2015, 05:44 PM
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I stayed for 3 days in Montalcino and thought I had died and gone to heaven. The Brunello! I enjoyed dinner at Grappolo Blu so much, I had dinner there all three nights. My visit was in 2005, so I don't know if Luciano and Mariapia are still actively running the taverna, but their children were waiting tables back then.
Montalcino was a good base for me. I liked being able to taste at the Fortezza Enoteca, which has all the nearby vineyards available for tasting and very knowledgeable staff. Beautiful views if you go up on the Fortezza walls!
Montalcino is an easy drive to Sant 'Antimo abby for the Gregorian chants (go early or late to avoid "visiting hours" and the tour buses). Enjoy the actual services. Also a very scenic drive to Montepulciano and Pienza, of you want to visit those towns too.
Buon viaggio
Montalcino was a good base for me. I liked being able to taste at the Fortezza Enoteca, which has all the nearby vineyards available for tasting and very knowledgeable staff. Beautiful views if you go up on the Fortezza walls!
Montalcino is an easy drive to Sant 'Antimo abby for the Gregorian chants (go early or late to avoid "visiting hours" and the tour buses). Enjoy the actual services. Also a very scenic drive to Montepulciano and Pienza, of you want to visit those towns too.
Buon viaggio
