Here goes, ideas?, suggestions?
Flying into Milan, going to Lerici or Tellaro (not sure public transportation or car) for 3 nights. Then we want to stay in Val d'Orcia region for a week. Looking on this site and all others and now just confused about where to stay. Looking for a suite/apartment with some privacy in a B&B, hotel or farm with beautiful scenery, middle of the road price.Dn't want a place that's "difficult" to get to because of long, winding roads. It's so hard to decide where to stay from all of the info I've been getting. We love scenery, great food, meandering around small towns, so from reading, thought the Val d'Orcia area seemed best for us. Then, we going on to Rome for 5 nights and flying out of Rome.
Suggestions for place to stay in Cinque Terre area and mostly, in Val d'Orcia?
Thanks

Sorry, forgot to mention this trip is beginning of Sept. 2007.

For Lerici, check into...

http://www.lapiccolaoasi.com/

We stayed with them at their villa overlooking Aecola (and had meals in their restaurant in Lerici) for a week. Very much enjoyed it! (We loved Tellaro.)

On another trip, we enjoyed our one-week stay at this agriturismo just outside Montalcino...

http://www.larasina.it

Arcola, not Aecola.

Contact Mrs Nepi for amazing farmhouses near Siena and val d'Orcia you won't be disappointed!!!

Happy anniversary! What a wonderful reason to travel to Italy. We've traveled to Tuscany for the past 4 years. I'm sure you'll receive many great suggestions of places to stay. We've been very pleased with 2 places in Tuscany - La Saracina and Locanda dell Amorosa. Given your preferences, La Saracina would probably fit your needs better. www.lasaracina.it Happy planning!

Thanks for the tips. Tuck, did you tour Cinque Terre region from Lerici easily? Car?, or public transport? Would Tellaro be a good place to stay also?
Vicodarbia...how do I contact Mrs. Nepi?

>did you tour Cinque Terre region from Lerici easily? Car?, or public transport?>

Easily, yes. And enjoyably too - departing and returning by public transport - the commuter boat that makes stops at each of the towns. We'd buy an all-day ticket and hop on and off.

>Would Tellaro be a good place to stay also?< Maybe - I don't recall seeing any lodgings (or tourists) there; it's a tiny town.

Hi Bev,

Just a note. We visited CT in May a few years ago and at that point, the boats did not run every day between all towns. Just check before you take off for the day, so you'll know what you can/can't do. Trains go between all towns frequently, but are mostly in tunnels so not as scenic for sure!

Topping

bevmil,
I have been very happy with my stays at La Crociona http://www.lacrociona.com/ The Val d'Orcia is a beautiful area. If you want suggestions for daytrips send me an e-mail.

Henry

Congratulations! We are also celebrating 40th this year (November) by flying into Venice, staying a couple of days, boarding a ship (RCI Splendour of the Seas) for a 7 day cruise through Greece and Croatia back to Venice, then driving from Venice to Tuscany then along Cinque Terre ending in Milan for flight home. Haven't finalized all hotels yet - still researching but know that for Venice for sure we need to hurry as many are already sold out for November! I have read that Venice is pretty much sold out on weekends year round so one must make haste in reserving rooms, and it seems to be true. This will be a return trip to Venice, Florence, and Milan for us (first was 12 years ago)but first time in the Tuscan country side and along Cinque Terre. We are excited. I also relish the experience of driving with the Italians again(still fresh in my mind after all these years!).

bevmil:

Happy 40th.

For Lerici you may want to consider the Doria Park--nice view balconies. It has parking so you could drive yourselves there from the airport and then on to the Val D'Orcia if you wanted to.

http://www.doriaparkhotel.it/

For Tellaro, the Miranda (which has a well known restaurant --fish only I believe)

http://www.locandamiranda.com/

Also, look at this website for travel advice/consultations

http://www.bellavitaitalia.com/

Try this villa in Londa for celebrating your anniversary. http://www.villaluciano.com

Still about Val D'Orcia/Valdichiana you can check this site:

http://www.casadibacco.net

Congratulations on your 40th....we are celebrating the same and stayiing two night at Hotel Florida in Lerici (09/26 and 27) and Valentina has been great to work with. You can take a ferry right from Lerici to the CT. Before this we have stays in Sulzano on Lake Iseo, Venice and Florence...afterward San Gimgnano, Montepulciano and end in Roma.

ttt
Also traveling to CT and Val d'Orcia in Sept. Having trouble finding mid range places to stay, preferably IN a town,(so we have somewhere to walk around at night) where parking is available.