SShprints

Hello, we are 4 adults in our early 30s. We plan on traveling in Tuscany for 4 days in late September and are torn whether to stay in Siena or Florence. We have been to Florence before and saw all the main sights. We really just want a great Tuscan experiance and plan to driving around Tuscany while basing ourselves in either of the 2. Please help us choose where to stay.

Tnx!

Sergey

joannyc

Since you have a car and have already stayed in Florence, I'd opt for Siena. Lots to see there and in the surrounding area!

kybourbon

Since you can't drive in the center of either, I think a town outside Siena would be better.

ira

ditto ky

njdivegirl

We stayed at an agriturismo in Mercatale - closer to Florence but hit a lot of small towns as well as Florence and Siena from there.

An agriturismo will give you a real Tuscan experience!

Italyagain

We stayed several times in places outside Greve. You really can't go wrong. Its all wonderful. Opt for a pool and the world is wonderful.

bobthenavigator

I would stay in a smaller town in Tuscany---here are some very good options:


BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TUSCANY

A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby

1. Relais La Saracina www.lasaracina.it 230 to 300E
Fabulous country home near Montepulciano—helpful owners

2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families
Isabella also has 2 apartments in Castelmuzio for rent—a good option.

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. Agriturismo apts. near San Quirico— www.poggiolo.info/ About 110E

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
New 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.

7. Fattoria Vignale http://www.vignale.it/eng/ Four star hotel in Radda in the heart of Chianti. About 230E for double

norrisken

Siena

Sueis_outoftheoffice

It can still be quite warm here in September. At first it is always tempting to find a base in a city - easy to see the sights, restaurants, shopping etc, however the more experience traveler to these parts will opt for a quite place in the country to return to at the end of the day.

Go for Greve-, Castellina-, Gaiole-, Radda-in-chianti or any place in between. Florence and Siena will only be 30 mins away and you will have a much more relaxing trip.

annw

I like the above recs for quiet places outside the city -- for a group such as yours, unless you want the city center experience (difficult with a car anyway) maybe consider also a small town like Impruneta -- about 9 miles from Florence and there are a couple of wonderful places where a group or a couple of couples could stay in very nice digs.

If this sounds like you, look up Relais Villa L'Olmo and Villa Monteoriolo. The first has several different configurations (two bedrooms/bathrooms unit, separate house, etc.) with kitchen, living room, etc.; the second has a 4 bedroom unit and a 2 bedroom unit, also kitchen, dishes. etc. Costs average $100-$150 a night and include breakfast per person or couple depending. I've stayed at both places and they are lovely -- views of the vineyards etc. Have done many trips into Florence (via bus) but also day trips via car to Siena, Greve, San Gim. and the like from these places, which also have English speaking manager or owners available.

annhig

can't top any of the suggestions made by bob, sueis, or annw.

if you want a bigger town experience, staying on the outskirts of siena would be preferable to Florence as it will take far less time to get out of the city for your excursions.

if you decide that it HAS to be Florence, the residenzia where i stayed a few weeks ago is just outside the residents only driving area so you can park and drive there without problems, so long as you keep out of the centre. they have a number of very nice double rooms:

http://www.residenzacasanuova.it/

alane

we stayed in siena and drove to the smaller towns in tuscany..... see above recommendation # 6 palazzo ravizza..... you can drive into the walls of the city. the city is beautiful....hotel rooms overlook the tuscan countryside.....eat at a different restuarant every night ...walk thru the city after dinner ...you only need one day to explore the city...we took day trips and explored a few towns each day..... one day going south and the other day driving west....easy to drive around tuscany with a GPS...... DO NOT eat in one town and think yuo will drive to another or your villa... after you have had wine......drinking and driving laws are very stiff......
i opt for sienna ..... not sure if there is enough to do in the smaller towns for 4 days,,,,,,,,

annhig

alane - you make a good point. it is great to be able to return to somewhere at night where there is a choice of restaurants and other entertainment, plus shops of course.

siena is ideal for that.

spiceolife

siena

mamcalice

Suggest if you want to experience rural Tuscany that you stay in the Chianti area. Bob the Navigator has great suggestions. Driving in and out of Florence or Siena every day to get to the countryside is not my idea of a relaxing stay. Unless you plan to spend most of your time in the city, opt for the countryside.

wanderful

My wife and I stayed at Fattoria Vignale in Radda, one of Bob's selections.

I highly recommend it, as well as its restaurant.