We will be travelling in May and would appreciate your recommendations for accomodations. What location do you recommend for 5 nights in southern Tuscany.....we will have a car. How about Florence. Any favorites??

sorry if redundant to prior request.......I thought I was posting specifically to Italy. All recommendations appreciated! Linda

how about a villa w/ a kitchen? we stayed in a wonderful ancient place 30 min outside of florence on a wine estate.... there are a number of websites that list houses and apartments - much cheaper than hotels - and most have decent pictures. we went through invitationtotuscany.com run by a very nice couple. good luck.

Linda1951,
I like La Crociona http://www.lacrociona.com/index.htm about 3km outside of Montalcino but anywhere between Montalcino and Montepulciano would be great. I have suggested daytrips in southern Tuscany (it is too big to post here) if you are interested e-mail me.

Henry

I can highly recommend Fonte Bertusi, located just outside of Pienza. A can't imagine a better location and place to stay for exploring southern Tuscany and for relaxing. The views are beautiful and the accommodations wonderful. May is the perfect time of year in this area.

fontebertusi.it

lydie,

that is a great website ... which estate in particular did you stay at?

In Florence, I highly recommend Tourist House Ghiberti. 158 euros a night in May 2008.

www.touristhouseghiberti.com

Shanrae71 - We stayed in Poggio Capponi; the name of the apartment was "I Pini". That's one of serveral apartments in the main farmhouse. Ours was a 3-bedroom suite upstairs, which turned out to be a blessing (in August) because the breeze was essential! The pictures aren't very helpful but the views were quite wonderful. If that one isn't available, the only thing I would make sure is that the apartment you're interested in is at the TOP of the hill - not down by the restaurants (La Cappellina, for instance, which didn't seem to have much charm.

In October, we spent 5 days at La Sovana, an agriturismo that was as much resort as farm. They produce their own wine and olive oil. Here's the web site:
http://www.lasovana.com/

It's in Sarteano, about 2-3 km from the A-1 autostrada exit for Chiusi.

We took the train from Chiusi to visit Siena and used our rental car to visit the smaller towns.

If your itinerary permits, you might want to consider taking the train to Chiusi from Rome (or wherever you will land). Many of the IC trains stop there, and there are a number of car rental agencies with offices in Chiusi. Hertz, for instance, is right across the street from the station.