Help me find a Villa in Val D'Orcia this Summer!
 

We are celebrating my wife's very important Birthday this August in Tuscany!

My two sons, their wives and four children ( ages 7, 6, 3 and 6 months) will join us for the first week in August ( 1-8). Our goal is to find a villa in the Montepulciano/Pienza/Montalcino area with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, swimming pool, AC, and within 20 - 30 minute drive of a town with restaurants. Our sons are really into Brunello wine so any area that would make it more likely to enjoy this wine is important.

Since this will be the first time for the children in Europe/Italy I am also looking for an area that they can enjoy as well.

Thank you!

We loved our stay here http://www.santantonio.it

Hi ALLYBOY,

Try LA FOCE - beautiful with a rich history

http://www.montepulciano.net/la_foce...m#.VQ8v3eE4td0

We've rented 60 gites/villas in France for June & Sept stays. We normally have them reserved about 1 year in advance.

You are trying to find a villa in one of the most popular areas in Europe, and in the most crowded month - which is just 4 1/4 months away. You had better lower your expectations/requirements and book ASAP. We've spent about a month in an apt in the Val d'Orcia - but "in town" - not out in the countryside.

Stu Dudley

Obviously you are moving ahead promptly with your plans and I would not let yourself be affected by other people's anxious approach to Italy based on their experiences in France (?)

The Slow Travel website can be a good resource for villa rentals. Also do searches on booking.com.

It is a great idea to look around the Montalcino area if your group has a serious interest in Brunello. I would also sugget that you consider looking for a group of apartments on a farm (agriturismo) instead of one large villa, especially if you can book an agriturismo that also has a restaurant onsite. But one of the great advantages to adjacent apartments is the guarantee of all the bathrooms you need, plus a bit more privacy for everybody (including nap times for kids or adults as needed, away from noise). Most agriturismi have pools.

I would also suggest to you that when you do searches, look by the number of bathrooms, but also double check to make sure that the bed arrangments are really what you need. Sometimes a villa advertised as "sleeps 10" will be counting sleep sofas or bunk beds that won't work for the number of adults in your party.

PS: I just did a quick search on booking.com for 5-bedroom villas near Montalcino for the first week of August and was given a choice of 21 available. And that was just one town in the val d'Orcia, and many villas are not listed on booking.com. So don't feel unduly pressured to make a hasty decision. Italy is not France, and there is a ton of villa rentals in Tuscany, in the prime areas.

Thanks for the optimism sandralist! Just found out yesterday it was my "job" to find the villa! I will also look into your suggestion of apartments on a farm/agritursimo.

We have stayed in two of properties owned by the Moricciani family, but not this one. It does however, look wonderful! We saw it being remodeled when last in Castelmuzio. The activities organized by Isabella are second to none. http://www.casamoricciani.com/index.php/en/the-villa

I would look for somewhere between Pienza and Montalcino. I like this website for the area around Pienza because it links you directly to the property. You will have to make sure the places are in the area you want as some are towards Montepulciano, etc.

http://www.portalepienza.it/Siti_com...riturismo.html

You can also look at the Montalcino tourism website although it doesn't function the best. It does include web links to the farm houses in the area that have them.

http://www.prolocomontalcino.com/en/...u-3/farm-house

One of the problems you might run into is finding places still available with AC.

We stayed here for a week:

http://www.fontebertusi.it/en/apartments/

I highly recommend it. Just outside Pienza. Eight different apartments in the Villa, sleeping from 2-4 in each one. Pool too.

Your family can have a wonderful breakfast in the main dining room before heading off for the day's activities. Best breakfast we had in all of Europe.

Wonderful hosts and great location.

i didn't notice you are also looking for air con. You might take a look at Tuscan Dreams villas -- but I would expect the prices to be sky high.

This place is magic: http://www.emmavillas.com/en/Casa-An...0fe6bb1922d9a5

I am so jealous!!! It sounds perfect for you and your large group. I actually stayed there two years ago when it was a b&b so as a smaller group in one of its apartments and it was amazing. However they now rent the place out as one and I don't travel with that many people, and wish so much to return!!! It truly is a place of dreams, and within walking distance of Pienza. I would jump at the chance to rent here.

There is a place called Agriturismo CRETAIOLE which I believe really will tick all your boxes. It is definitely geared to children and I highly recommend you check out their web site. I have tried several times to stay there but could not, due to various reasons, but the people I e-mailed with back and forth on several occasions, were some of the nicest I have had to deal with. Good luck and have a great vacation!!

The last two places being suggested don't seem to have AC.

This place does have AC. I haven't stayed there, but have stayed across the road at a place with a somewhat similar name (no AC there though). This is located between Pienza and San Quirico and has AC listed.

http://www.bonello.eu/ita/home

Thanking you all for your wonderful suggestions!

I want you to know that I have checked out each of the properties and unfortunately haven't found a match as yet. It's either already booked, doesn't have the number of bedrooms needed, no on premises swimming pool , no AC or list a bedroom when in fact it is just a sofa bed.

Please keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks

There is at least one on Parker Villas that would be large enough, has a pool, A/C. A business associate of mine used it for a retreat. I don't know the exact location, but it's in the general area you're looking at.

A quick question: Is it better to rent from an agency that lists villas as opposed to the owner?

It seems that most are not listed by owners and the same property can be listed by more than one agency.

It makes little difference who you rent from-- agency or owner, but our experience is an agency can add a layer of cost--something you are not able to quibble with much at this late date. As you stated, agencies(Parker) will rename a property different from the owner's name and can cause some confusion when trying to 'vet' the property.

I must say that I'm not surprised at your difficulty in finding a place with your requirements at this late date in spite of some who think there are scads of available properties. You might consider expanding your location to include Chianti. Best of luck.

Success!!!!

I have found a villa through Emma Villas. The location appears to be just where we wanted: 8 km to San Quirico; 11 km to Montalcino; 16 km to Bagno Vigoni; 17 km to Pienza; 30 km to Montepulciano and 38 km to Siena.

We have all our bedrooms/bathrooms/pool in a beautiful country setting.

Thanks and Grazie to all who have helped in this process.

Glad you found something. Now you can relax and enjoy this wonderful weather we're having here in the SF Bay Area (I think you might be from Bay Area).

Do you have my Italy itinerary - with a heavy dosage of Tuscany? We've spent 8 weeks in San Quirico, and I put together several scenic driving and walking itineraries. Also, lots of info about restaurants in the area. I've sent my various itineraries to over 5,000 people on Fodors. If you would like a copy, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail.

Here is my wife's Shutterfly book. Click "view photo book" and then "full screen"
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/re...=1EYt2Llw1ZMgm

Stu Dudley

Back again to report that we leave on our trip in less than three weeks.

As I mentioned earlier we are a family of 6 adults and 4 children. If anyone has any ideas regarding special activities for the kids; restaurant suggestions in the towns of the Val d'Orcia; how and where to celebrate as a family my wife's Birthday it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

This may help. Have fun !

GOOD EATS IN TOSCANA

I have never been called “ BOB THE FOODIE” , but here are some of the best places to eat in Tuscany based on feedback from many of my clients. Reservations are suggested for most!

$=inexpensive $$=moderate prices $$$= expensive

FLORENCE:
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco $$ Across the river & very good.
La Giostra $$$ Excellent, but you must book in advance

SIENA:
Osteria Le Logge $$ Great place for lunch and near Il Campo
Cane e Gato $$$ A fixed price & menu for a true feast—allow 4 hours

LUCCA:
Buca di San Antonio $$ Best in town and near San Michele
Il Giglio $$ In the piazza of the same name---favorite with locals

SAN GIMIGNANO:
Il Pino $$ Very good typical Tuscan fare
Le Vecchie Mura $ Good value for a tourist town

MONTALCINO:
Taverna Grappolo Blu $ Popular with locals as well.
Ristorante Poggio Antico $$ Excellent cuisine 5km south of town at winery location
Enoteca Osteria Osticcio $ Best wine tasting & small meals in town

MONTEPULCIANO:
La Grotta $$ Near San Biagio church & very good
Café Poliziano $ Great place for lunch on shopping street
Osteria Acquacheta Best bistecca in Tuscany

PIENZA: Latte du Luna $$ Best choice in this charming village

BAGNO VIGNONI: Osteria del Leone $ Good lunch choice in this spa hamlet

MONTICCHIELLO: La Porta $ Charming place with outside terrace

SAN QUIRICO: Trattoria al Vecchio Forno $ Good food & fair value

Hi Allyboy

Afraid I don't have any recs for you - but I am wondering how your experience has been with Emma Villas? Would you recommend them?

Thanks
Mat

Hi Mat,

We had a very positive experience with Emma Villas. The house we rented was wonderful, in good condition and well stocked with snacks and drinks when we arrived. Before we arrived they had requested that we leave ( in cash 1500 euros) with the housekeeper who would deduct various costs upon our departure. I requested that it only be 500 euros with a credit card deposit of the balance. The week we were in the house it was extremely hot and we used the air conditioning a great deal and ran the dishwasher and laundry machines all the time. It ended up costing us the 500 euros. I can only vouch for the house we stayed in, however, I found Emma Villas to be reliable , responsible and professional. Good luck!