We will be in Tuscany in Mid July. A friend recommended we stay at Borgo Argenina, which has had rave reviews all over the web. Here is my question....
do we need a B & B with a pool because of the heat? We do want to try to be on Italian time, which means we will rest in the middle of the day.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

well, ljnee, no-one "needs" a swimming pool - in fact I would go for A/C as my first priority in July, because if your room is boiling hot, you won't be able to sleep when you are having your siesta.

in fact, my experience is that they don't sleep in the middle of the day, they eat. then nap, and go out again in the evening.

I agree with annhig. The pool will only be cooling while you are in it and if it's in the sun the water might not be very cool. Get AC rather than a pool.

I would go for the pool. If you are staying in an old Tuscan property as would seem to be the case then the walls are likely to be very thick - often up to three feet - and the room will be cool throughout the day. The important thing is to have the shutters closed during the day especially on the side facing the sun. I have never felt the need for A/C.
The heat in Tuscany is a dry heat and is perfectly supportable if you follow what the locals do. For roughly 20 years I have spent roughly two months each summer in the Chianti region.

Ditto to nochblad above. When we stayed in a B&B just outside of Panzano, we found the walls of the old place to be super thick and the room was always cool in spite of the heat. I kind of doubt that there are many--if any--places in Tuscany w/AC. I could be wrong, though!

I would look for AC - but think you will have trouble finding it.

I know people say it's a dry heat and the walls keep the heat out - but when it's 95 and humid - which happens often in the summer - the bedrooms are not 70 degrees (which is what I need to sleep). So - figure out how much heat you can tolerate (and do realize many shops, restaurants, hotels etc do NOT have AC) before deciding where to stay.

We loved Borgo Argenina and she is a delight. You must judge your heat tolerance.

I'd be more tempted to stay in San Sano, which has a pool, air conditioning, serves dinner and appears to have bigger beds-- and is cheaper!

http://www.venere.com/hotels/gaiole-...otel-san-sano/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...i_Tuscany.html