We're in our mid-twenties, beginning a 10-day Honeymoon in early November. We've already booked hotels for three nights in Rome and two nights in Perugia (where I studied). Now we're looking for someplace romantic in Tuscany to park for four nights, to make day trips to Florence and Tuscan towns from. We'd like someplace where we can leave our room/hotel and have a nice glass of wine late at night, or a late night dinner, and walk back to our room. We don't want to be captive to a room or grounds of a hotel or resort or agrotourismo every night (despite some gorgeous and inviting grounds of the many all-inclusive Tuscan resorts and farms we've seen. Maybe next trip). I think we're looking for a mid-priced place in or right near a town to leisurely enjoy at the end of a day (we dont' want to "go out"-- just have a good mix of relaxation and visible Italian life). Open to options that require a car for the best location, or a town with train service. Thanks!

You could try San Gimignano which is very attractive and interesting, especially when the day trippers have gone home. It's built on a hill and cars have to park outside, but they can load and unload outside the hotels. There's lots of interest in the town, and we used it as a base for visiting further afield.

I enjoyed my stay at the Hotel Leon Bianco. My room had a view of gardens, which is quieter than one overlooking the square.
http://www.leonbianco.com

In the same square is Hotel La Cisterna. This is more expensive, and has rooms overlooking the countryside.
http://www.hotelcisterna.it

we stayed at Il Giglio in Montalcino on our honeymoon. we loved it. we had an amazing view from our window. we could've gotten a terrace but didn't and I wish we did! we had a car for the Tuscany part of our trip and visited a bunch of the tuscan hill towns. one of the best parts of our honeymoon!
check out my travel blog for pictures of the hotel and reviews of our trip.

http://marztravels.blogspot.com/2008...honeymoon.html

I think St Querico would be nicer, the size would mean that the hotel would make a little fuss of you bt they would also leave you alone and if in the main square you could walk out as you wish. The walls are pretty rather than rearing and majority of the centre is flatish.

Despite the obvious good restaurants if you like fish try the restaurant attached to the petrol station (grimaldi??) it is excellent but looks like a bit of a dump

LizaMarie

I just loved your pictures, my husband, my 26 year old son and I will be visiting italy in October, I will be 4 days in Rome 3 in Montalcino also staying at the Il Giglio, and 4 days in Venice then we will fly to Germany, I would like to know your opinion about the Hotel in Montalcino and also about the town, I am so exited and can not wait to get there, so I'm trying to gather all the information I can.

Thanks

tribi and Umbra,

I also stayed at Il Giglio in Montalcino and was very happy there. The hotel is lovely and I had requested a room with views of the surounding countryside - views were spectacular! Room and bed very comfortable, bathroom large and completely in travertine marble. Owners parked and retrieved car daily. It was easy to find and drive in and out of Montalcino.

Highly recommend dinner at Grappolo Blu!

I was going to suggest Siena as you can easily get the bus to Florence or San Gimignano. But Montalcino is lovely.

Montepulciano rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't enjoy the all rather isolated streets and steps. I hardly got the feeling of a "center" at all. Whereas in that part of Tuscany I did like Montalcino very much. There were definite shopping areas, less of those sort of blind staircases, and a more pleasant feel.

San Quirico d'Orcia is a bit small for much pleasant evening strolling.

Thanks Dayle

tribi-
Montalcino was my husband and I's favorite place in all of Tuscany. the town is small and walkable. the people were so friendly! I loved Il Giglio, our room was large, impeccable and had a little fridge. they lent us wine glasses and a wine opener. the bathroom had adorable little tolietries, real nice handmade labels etc. the staff was pleasant, helping with directions and the car parking was so important to us. the resturants sciame and grappolo blue were outstanding. the staff at grappolo were so nice and accomodating. there are great little shops on that small main st, including a store with all olive wood products, wine shops, cheese shops etc. I loved the fortezza and the wine tasting there as well as walking there from the hotel as the scenery was amazing. plus it is pretty conveinent to visiting the countryside a neighboring hill towns. DH and I dream all the time about retiring in Tuscany we loved it that much!!! glad you liked our pictures, thanks!!! have a nice trip

LizaMarie, thank you so much for all the information
I am sure we are going to love it too.

Thank you all!

We just finalized our reservations at Il Giglio for four nights in November. We can't wait!

Umbra2001

I'll be staying there in October, and will let you know how it went as soon as I get back, I can not wait eather.

I love Montalcino. Stop by La Fiascheterria for a glass of Brunello... and to watch the people. There is a wonderful non touristy restaurant called Re di Macchia (via Saloni 21)

Hi jnjfraz

Do you have a trip report about Montalcino? Is the town very big. I am wondering if after we come back from our day trips, are we have time to walk around and get to know the town a little bit I know we should have stayed there longer however we only have 2 weeks vacation and we have to visit our relatives in Germany.

Umbria2000 and tribi,
Send me an e-mail and I will send you some ideas for day trips from Montalcino. It is too long to post.

Henry