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Advice needed for a good base near Siena for 5 days

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Advice needed for a good base near Siena for 5 days

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Old Jan 14th, 2013, 10:24 PM
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Advice needed for a good base near Siena for 5 days

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!!
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 12:15 AM
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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?
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 12:27 AM
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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.
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 04:25 AM
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Interested in what you discover as we will also be staying in the area also
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 04:33 AM
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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
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 05:09 AM
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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
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 05:29 AM
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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.
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 08:45 AM
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gawlergirl,
This may help http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 09:43 AM
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What time of year?
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 10:43 AM
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How about staying in a "hotel" which is actually a privately-owned hamlet (including a church) and a peacock?

tenutadiricavo.com
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 10:51 AM
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>>>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.
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 01:21 PM
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Look at Palazzo del Capitano in San Quirico---my favorite location in south Tuscany.
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 01:36 PM
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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.!!
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 01:55 PM
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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
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 04:28 PM
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Here is a special place--and quite affordable:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...a_Tuscany.html
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 04:42 PM
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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.
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 08:13 PM
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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.
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Old Jan 15th, 2013, 08:16 PM
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The actual name of the Piccolo is Piccolo Hotel La Valle di Pienza and it is in your price range.
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Old Jan 16th, 2013, 05:20 AM
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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.
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