I'm back again - I have been overwhelmed with all the advice for a villa in Tuscany! Now with the advice I have gotten, I have changed my MO. Can anyone recommend a place to stay in Tuscany that is near a village with shopping, resturants, etc and also a beautiful view for 2. We will rent a car because we will want to visit other towns. Would also like to have gardens, pool and maybe vineyards on the property - THANKS!

Forgot to mention - this trip will be in June or July 2004

I see from your other earlier thread that you have already received the advice to check out the tons of info on www.slowtrav.com

In addition to that, let me suggest that you contact Mr. Larry Haase directly of www.domani-usa.com - - feel free to say that I referred you - - and he will probably be generous talking with you by telephone and making some first hand recommendations.

I have experience renting villas in several different locations in Italy (Tuscany, Rieti, Garda) - - but never before for a place suited for a couple - - always a larger place.

Best wishes,

Rex

What do you mean by a "village"? I think genuine "villages" would usually not have few if any fixed shopping locations and rarely if ever have restaurants. Do you mean a regular medium sized town or small city?

I guess I meant a small city!

Carol's question is right on, and now your reply undescores a problem you will face. Rare indeed will be the "small city" that has a villa "IN" it.

I submit that you are really looking for an apartment; otherwise you are going to be looking at two people paying for a property whose price is set at what six or eight people might expect to pay as a group.

OK - an apartment would be fine as long as it has the pool, gardens, view etc. If it is a car ride that is not too far that is ok. Just don't want to be too remote

We really enjoyed Locanda Le Piazze near Castellina in Chianti. It has rooms overlooking vineyards, a beautiful pool, a wonderful restaurant and is convienent for touring the SS222 from Florence to Siena. Other choices would be Villa Vinnamaggio near Greve in Chianti or Relais Fattoria Vignale in Rhadda in Chianti.
If you have enough time I would spend three days in the Chianti region and then move down to the area south of Siena and stay three nights there. It is a good base for touring Montepulciano, Pienza, Monteriggioni etc. I have always had very good luck picking places to stay from the Karen Brown book "Charming Inns & Itineraries" of Italy.

Has anyone rented from Tuscanyok.com and if so what property. Their castles look great, just wonder if they are too remote?

Got another question - has anyone stayed at the estates of Abitare La Storia Association which are historical castles that have been converted to B&B or hotels? Some of them look very impressive!

Where is Ira when I need him?????

We're recently back from a wonderful stay in Montepulciano. We stayed within the walls in a wonderful apartment owned by two sisters. The property has been in their family for over three hundred years and they have converted part of it into four modern, well-appointed apartments. Views from one side of the apartments are the Tuscan hillsides while just a few steps out the front door and your in the heart of this wonderful town. There are enough shops and restaurants to keep you busy a long while. We also took day trips to Pienza and
Assisi and took the train from nearby Chiusi (about a thirty-minute drive) to Siena and Florence. We had a car (incidentally the apartment has parking 'in the garden' which is a real premium) but did not need it except for our day trips. The web page for the apartment is http://web.tiscali.it/poggiolo. Hope you check it out.

Hi ballet,

As much as I appreciate your unlimited faith in my omniscience, I'm afraid I can't be of much help with this itinerary.

Decide your location first and then the property. Tuscany is large and diverse. Staying in the heart of Chianti is much different than say near Montalcino. Pick the location and price range and then shop the rentals. Spend an hour at slowtrav.com for a good start.

I'll second the comments about Locanda le Piazza in Castellina. We loved the place and would have stayed IF there had been a vacancy. As it turned out, they directed is just down the road to RISERVA DE FIZZANO -- a group of apartments with a similar lovely view, pool, restaurant. Perfect for the two of us, and a short ride to all the sights in that part of Tuscany.