Are there towns in Tuscany where you can stay right IN town? (I TOLD YOU THIS WAS A NOVICE QUESTION! Ha) Like in Montalcino for instance, are there accommodations within the walls?

I have friends thinking about a trip. They want to be able to stay in towns, walk places, and leave the car parked outside the towns (or wherever) until they want to move on to the next town. Not interested in staying in the countryside or farm situations.

Thanks.

There are accommodations in most Tuscan hill towns, either hotels or apartments. They may vary in the amenities that they offer, but they are there.

Yes, you can stay within the walls of Montalcino. I remember seeing at least one hotel near the bus station. I am sure there are others; we chose to stay in an agritourismo outside. There are other hotels outside the city walls as well.

This - from the Castello Banfi winery Web site - offers what seems to be a pretty complete list of accommodations in and near Montalcino:

http://www.castellobanfi.com/montal_stay.html

I often suggest staying in one of the villages. Montalcino is a good choice as is San Quirico at the Palazzo del Capitano.

Thanks everybody!

Great list Eloise! I'll peruse it while sipping my 1999 Castello Banfi that I got for Christmas.

I stayed at this one in Pienza. It is directly across the street to the city gate -- literally a two minute walk to the center.

www.piccolohotellavalle.it/index_uk.htm

Very lovely small hotel with a 180-degree view of the Tuscan hills from our room. Pienza was a great base for touring the area.

We stayed in Montalcino in 2005 and will return in 2007. The Hotel Giglio was a nice place with good breakfasts.
http://www.gigliohotel.com/en/aboutus/
One room has a very nice terrace and a great view of the Val di Orcia.
You can find accomodations in virtually any Tuscan town. We've stayed in Castellina, Siena, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Cortona, Pisa, etc.
[email protected]