My husband and I and another couple are celebrating our 50th birthdays travelling in Europe, we will share 2 weeks in Italy together and I would like to know where would be best to base ourselves for 5 nights in Tuscany preferably near Siena but close to Pienza area too and any recommendations for accommodation. Very excited!!

This is a beautiful area, a terrific part of Tuscany to stay in both for its own attractions and for touring.

How long are you staying? If for a week in Tuscany, a villa or apartment will be best. If for less, a hotel.

When are you visiting? In summer, a villa or agriturismo (think 'a farm B&B')with a pool would be very, very nice.

Budget?

Will you have a car? That can affect where you stay. It sounds like a lovely trip. We stayed in a villa in that area of Tuscany and it was fabulous. Our place was too big for you though, so no point in sending you in that direction.

Interested in what you discover as we will also be staying in the area also

hotelborgoantico.com in an tiny walled town just off the main road

Piccolo Hotel San Valentino on the top of a hill near the Monestry

I've never stayed in Buonconvento but I'm told the town is ok

My favorite place to stay-

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/

Other places to consider-

http://www.santamariapienza.it/index.php?lang=ing

http://www.agriturismocasalpiano.it/index.html

http://www.cretaiole.it/index.en.php
(Excellent location)

http://www.cretedisiena.com/Casa_Picchiata/english.htm
(Excellent location)

http://www.terredinano.com/pages_eng...o_toscana.aspx

http://www.lafonte.toscana.it/2006/ita/
(Excellent location)

http://www.agriturismosangallo.com/ENG/home.html

http://www.tobruk.it/agriturismo.php?lingua=en
(Incredible views and a beautiful property)

http://www.casafrati.toscana.nu/
(Well priced)

http://www.lupaia.com/location.html
(A beautiful B&B located in the valley below Montepulciano)

http://www.lafoce.com/
(Beautiful apartments/houses/villa/property- very special)

http://www.lacasadiadelina.com/index...t&id=9&lang=en
(A small, lovely B&B located within the small, lovely town of Monticchiello)

http://www.lemaribelle.it/intro.en.php
(3 apartments located in Monticchiello)

If none of the above works for you, consider searching these two websites-

http://www.cretedisiena.com/english/

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...cany/valdorcia

Do you want to stay in a town where you can walk to dinner or out in the countryside? With views? Do you have a price range? What amenities do you need?

Pienza actually makes a good base for southern Tuscany as it's easy to drive in and out. You can easily reach a lot of hill towns (Montalcino, Montepulciano, San Quirico, Monticchiello, etc.) and within an hour of Siena.

gawlergirl,
This may help http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm

What time of year?

How about staying in a "hotel" which is actually a privately-owned hamlet (including a church) and a peacock?

tenutadiricavo.com

>>>How about staying in a "hotel" <<<

I don't see where the OP asked about a specific type of accommodation, only a specific area. The hotel you suggested is not really in that area.

Look at Palazzo del Capitano in San Quirico---my favorite location in south Tuscany.

Thank you for all your replies, the trip is planned for late September and we will have a car, i am undecided whether to choose somewhere in town or out of town. Zoecat , a wonderful list of places, i have been liasing with the La Fonte owner and i had contacted the owners of Cretaiole which looks amazing but a bit over our budget, I was hoping to keep in under 250 Euro per night for 4 of us. I would love somewhere that had a restaurant but not far from a town as well My husband and i both work in the wine / tour business in South Australia so are very keen to taste some fabulous wines too.!!

Is that 250 euros per night per couple or per night total? If it's per couple, I can recommend Locanda San Francesco in Montepulciano. No restaurant, but they operate a wine bar.

http://www.locandasanfrancesco.it/bo...l-tuscany.html

Here is a special place--and quite affordable:

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

Impaired driving laws are very strict in Italy. With that in mind, it's desirable to stay at a place that serves dinner or is within walking distance of restaurants. That way, after a long day of sightseeing, everybody gets to drink wine.

We have stayed at the Piccolo Hotel in Pienza four or five times and have always enjoyed it. It is a small hotel, locally owned, with beautiful views. It also has parking (a big deal) and is in easy walking distance to the town center. We like the location of Pienza.

The actual name of the Piccolo is Piccolo Hotel La Valle di Pienza and it is in your price range.

I think you would be happy with La Fonte. The location could not be better and the dinners are homemade and very good.

I really love staying at Fonte Bertusi, which does not offer dinner (but does offer a great breakfast) and is located about 100 yards from La Fonte. You can always walk over to La Fonte for dinner. Fonte Bertusi also has a very nice selection of local wines for sale. The property and owners of Fonte Bertusi are excellent. I've stayed there 5 or 6 times and will continue to return. There is also a nice selection of restaurants in Pienza and other nearby towns. Pienza is a 5 minute drive from FB and La Fonte.