I would go with Palazzo Squarcialuppi. Siena is a hilly town for walking and getting into and out of town each day can be a driving stress.

We ended up driving through Sienna between Chianti and Tuscany and I was surprised by the size of it. We didn't go near the older part, so I hope that that area is near the edge of town so it's easy to come and go.

As far as short changing Sienna, just set aside a day to stay there and walk around. I had to keep telling myself on this trip that I can't see everything. I did a lot, but know that I want to go back to see more. Prioritize, stay flexible and you'll have a great time.

Pienza is small, but if you start eating at 7:30 or so, you'll easily fill up the evening, and can have a nice stroll afterwards.

If you go to Castellina, let me know and I'll look up the gelateria's name for you.

Is the apartment all they have available? No rooms?

Never mind...I see you were talking about Siena apartment, not Castellina.

As I said originally, I prefer Castellina because it's so much easier to drive in and out of. But Siena is much bigger. You'll have to flip a coin!!

Jeanne - We actually prefer apartments over hotel rooms. We like the extra space, having a fridge etc.. The apt has a balcony as well. Also, the apt is a little less expensive than the hotel. The apt is right next door to the hotel, and has all the amenities (spa, wifi). So it seems like a win/win, we get more for less.

Thanks kwren - Yes, I always worry about missing something! This will more than likely be my only trip to Tuscany (too many places in the worls to see!), so I want to see it all.

Jeanne - We were posting at the same time! In Castellina I'm intested in the apartment that is next door (and rented by) Palazzo Squarcialuppi.
http://www.affittacamerelacastellina.com/index_e.html

I was more concerned about those parking directions you put up. Then I realized you were talking about Siena.

The Castellina apartment looks very nice...great rate! Do you get to use the spa? Please say yes!!!!

Ahh, yes, that wasn't very clear, those parking instructions were for the Siena apartments!

So I've booked the Palazzo Squarcialuppi apartment http://www.affittacamerelacastellina.com/index_e.html. Soo excited! And the spa is included! :)

So my initerary to date:

10/30 - Florence

10/31-11/3 - Castellina (Palazzo Squarcialuppi apartment
http://www.affittacamerelacastellina.com/index_e.html

l1/3-11/6 - Pienza (Casa Frati http://www.agriturismo.it/it/agritur...715/index.html)

11/6-11/9 - Lucca

Next project ... Lucca lodging. I saw some apartments on VRBO I'm hopefull about.

Lookin' good! Chianti time allows for a day trip to San Gim. You can see Siena on the 3rd on your way to Pienza.

I would add a night to Pienza, drop it from Lucca. But I didn't want to go to Pisa, so that might be part of your consideration.

I just realized I'll be arriving in Provence the same time. We arrive October 31. Bonne journee!

I'm planning on making Wed 11/2 as our Siena day. I really want to see Market day so that is a can't miss for me. I'm thinking of seeing either San Gim or Volterra on our way from Pienza to Lucca. Pisa is going to be a day trip from Lucca. If we have time I'd like to see the area north of Lucca, like Barga, if we can fit it in as well.

Have fun in Provence ... that's on my to do list!

You might consider Montepulciano on your way to Pienza. Then you may not need to head east again once you're settled. Most of our must-see places were west/north of Pienza.

Make that west/south of Pienza.

What kind of car rental price quotes are you getting?

I'm using www.economycarrental.com (used them successfully in the past). We're paying about $900-$1,000 for 9 days automatic, with the additional driver, intermediate or full size, I can't remember.

I have been following your decision-making with great interest. We are planning two weeks in Tuscany and Umbria in September and have just emailed Casa Frati having only found out about it through you. I hope they have a room for us too! It looks like just what we were looking for. Isn't it great to share our information and plans like this.
We love economycarrentals too (used them twice last year in Turkey) although we are going for a smaller car because petrol is sooo expensive and some of the roads a bit narrow.

In case anyone has any good suggestions... we are staying 3kms out of Florence (above Piazzale Michelangelo) in a villa for a week and will 'do' Florence and Chianti from there with a couple of days out to Siena and Lucca. Then we go to Pienza (hopefully Casa Frati) for 2 nights and up to Montepulciano for one night (so we can be there after the tourist crowds go home). Then we move to Spello for a couple of nights and then over to Orvieto (stopping along the way) for one night and drop the car there before we train to Rome for a couple of nights before flying off to Rhodes.
Any 'MUST SEE' spots along the way we may have missed?

I'm glad this thread has been a help! I'm so excited about Casa Frati. I hope there is availabilty, then you can come back and tell us about it!

Funny, I used economycarrentals in Turkey as well. I tried to rent a smaller car, but I kept getting the emails back saying there was no availability. So I moved up in class and up in class, until one finally confirmed. I just wish I could drive a stick confidently enough for Tuscan hills.

I looked it up, it's smaller than I though, more midsize.
F Economy A/C, Renault Clio, VW Polo

Hi aimeekm,
Did you get a quick reply from Casa Frati... I haven't heard back from them after 2 days and am getting a little concerned. How did you contact them? I did it through their own website email [email protected]

That's the email address I used, and I got a quick reply to both emails I sent, less than 24 hrs. Maybe try again after another day or 2?

I'm looking at Lucca apartments now. It's strange there are so many when Siena has so few.

As long as I am within the walls, will I be well located? Lucca seems to be pretty compact. Will I be poorly located at an apartment near the wall (but inside) rather than nearer the center?