My adult daughter and I are on our first trip to Tuscany. We will be driving from Pisa to Venice over 4 days. We'd like to stay in an agriturismo in Tuscany for those days and make day trips from there. The 3 places we have in mind are Fonte Bertusi (near Pienza), Tenuta la Cipresseta (in San Gimignano) and Poggiacolle Farmhouse (also near San Gimignano). They all look lovely with reasonable prices and have availability for our dates, so we're having a hard time choosing between them. I hope someone can help us decide! We'll be there in 2 weeks. Thanks!

Can you be more specific about the 4 days...does that include the drive time from Pisa to your base to Venice?
If that's the case, that's not a lot of time. I think you would do well to concentrate around the area of San Gimignano...Pienza might be a little far.

Tenuta la Cipresseta is not really in San Gimingnano...it is a little NE of Poggibonsi. But perfectly situated for a 4 day stay, being very close to Siena, SGimignano, and many other hill towns.

Just spent a week there and it was a VERY pleasant place, with a lovely owner (Rosita). Great price too.

But we were two couples, and they are 2BR full apartments (nicely decorated with splendid views).

If you plan on eating out in the day, and then coming home at night and preparing a light dinner and Bkfst the next am, it is PERFECT. But it is not in a town or anything, and so is a little isolated at night. But it is absolutely quiet and beautiful.

So if you are just two people, it may be a bit big. But it was great for us. Rouss

When we choose a place to stay while on vacation, we use the same criteria we used when we chose a place to live - location, location, location.

I think the Val d'Orcia around Pienza is the prettiest countryside in Italy.

Stu Dudley

Carol- We'll have 4 nites to spend in Tuscany, driving out of Pisa on the 18th and to Venice on the 22nd. It isn't a lot of time which is why we're unsure where to base ourselves. Things either look so close or so far on a map, but not knowing the countryside or roads, it's hard to judge travel times.

Rouss- Rosita wrote a lengthy and very sweet response to my inquiry, so right now we're leaning toward staying at her farm.

Stu- the Pienza area and Fonte Bertusi look beautiful, but our stay is brief and so we're torn about which place to choose.

Thank you all for your quick replies!!

>>we're torn about which place to choose.<<

Is your objective to choose the best place to stay in, or see the best part of Tuscany?

Stu Dudley

Stu-We'd like the best of both which is why I've asked for help. I've had several bad hotel experiences, so I try to be very cautious in picking a place to stay. Our budget is not unlimited, but I wouldn't classify us as budget travelers (this is a belated 30th anniversary gift for me from my husband, and a 30th birthday gift trip for our daughter). I've narrowed our choices to the 3 I named and was hoping to get advice from people who know them or the areas they're in. Each place was highly recommended on these boards, as were the locations. And each one seems to have something special to offer.

Jo1023,

Based on what I read on this board as well as slow trav and trip advisor, I am staying at Fonte Bertusi for 3 nights mid May(but will also have a few nights in San Gemignano).

Everyone raves about the Val D'Orcia area---originally I was booked at the agriturismo Le Creteoile but they did not have availability for the week. I know most people won't agree with this but you could also consider 2 nights in one place and 2 nights in another.

Hope this helps rather than confuses you! Kathy

I feel that the Val d'Orcia (Pienza) area is not only the most beautiful part of Tuscany, but it is also a great base for day trips to charming villages- all within 10-30 minutes. Certainly enough to see and enjoy with 4 days. I love Fonte Bertusi so much that I am returning this May for the 3rd time in 2 years. The first 2 times were 7 days each. This trip will be 9 days.

I think the beauty and tranquility of the Val d'Orcia and Fonte Bertusi will be a great balance with the rest of your planned trip.

Enjoy your trip!

bookmarking for later...

I'd love to know what you've decided upon. Fonte Bertusi looks heavenly, but I noticed that the minimum stay on the website is 1 week. Were you able to make arrangements to stay less than that?

Fonte Bertusi rents per night also.