Good point SeaUrchin. That's one of the reasons we had been thinking about the in-town option. As beautiful as some of the photos on agriturismo websites were, and as much as we're sure that sitting there admiring the view would be a great vacation, we couldn't ignore the fact that we'd like to do more for our first time than watch the sunset. Probably another time though, when we're old hands at the Italian thing.

I also have had the pleasure of staying at the apartment described in Coco's message. It was fabulous! The owners were so very gracious - helpful but not intrusive. The apartment was immaculate and contained everything we needed. Nice modern bathrooms and kitchen (kitchen went largely unused).
When we stepped out the apartment door we were steps from the shops, etc. From the windows were views of the Tuscan countryside. Loved it!
We loved Montepulciano and felt very comfortable there. Nice shops and restaurants - especially La Grotta which was super.

Thanks gigi2410 for a 2nd to Coco2311's recommendation Thanks to both of you as well for making this post each your first entry on to the fodors board. That's very flattering! ;)

They look like great apartments from the photos and your descriptions of the owners are reassuring. As we get closer to making reservations, I'm sure these would be good candidates.

I read "Vanilla Beans and Brodo" and thought it was the best book of its type - and believe me - I've read most of them. It actually gave some history of the town, and gave me a grreater understanding of some things Italian. (I was starting from a very low level, though :? )

I'm following this closely, as we are actually getting around to doing this, next year.

Clifton - have fun in Oz! :) I haven't seen you asking questions in the Oz forum.

Hi Margo. I was just thinking about ordering that book. They have it on discount at Amazon.

And as far as Oz, well, I'm married to a native Melburnian (and I better have spelled that correctly, for my sake!) so I have my own personal tour guide. So far, she's covered my questions whenever we've gone. This time we're off to see her family for Christmas and maybe slip over to Tassie for awhile. Christmas in summer weather. I'm adjusting still to the thought. :)

help please. I tried clicking on that web site for montepulciano and it takes me to netscape ina google window, but I can't get out of it. The apartment really sounds nice. Anything to suggest?

Hello Spolet:
This is the website for the apartments:

http://web.tiscali.it/poggiolo

It seems a little odd since we are used to using: www. but I tried it just to be sure and it did work.

Additionally, you can find a lot of general info on Montepulciano (links in ads for hotels, etc.) by going to Google and search for Montepulciano, IT.

Hope this works for you!

Clifton

"Christmas in summer weather. I'm adjusting still to the thought"

Of course Christmas is in summer. All that cold weather would be no good for the mangoes - or the beach! Have a grrrreat Oz Christmas (if that's possible in Melbourne ;) !) (Sydneysider here!)

coco: thanks, that worked. another place was palazzo benincasa. Another question: In late may is it cool enough to not need air conditioning in an attick or upstairs apartment during the day, for napping purposes,or,assumming the windows open if no a.c. , in the montepulciano area?

Coco, the web site for these great looking appartments talks about parking in the garden, how is it driving in town? how is it driving to the apartments?
Rick

Hi Spolet:

I understand your concerns about a cool place to stay! I am an old southern chick and had to adjust to no A/C when we were in a very warm Positano recently.

During our September stay in Montepulciano, we were very comfortable sleeping with the windows open; however, you might e-mail the owners and ask them about May. Have you looked at websites that give the average temp.? I haven't found much A/C anywhere in Italy.

LOL margo, I guess if they can find the holiday joy even up there in Sydney, well we should manage just fine down there in Melbourne ;) Seriously though, if you try out the in-town apt thing before we do, we'd love to hear how it went.

Coco, like Rick I'm curious too how easy it was to manuever the car through town up to the apartment. By the way, you mentioned a train ride to Florence? May I ask where you drove to to catch the train and how the parking was there by the station?

We based ourselves in an apt. in Montepulciano before heading to Venice.

We loved the town and were pleased with our decision to stay there. However, we did log a lot of miles driving throughout Tuscany and parts of Umbria (almost 1000 miles) due the our location.

Make sure that anyplace you stay has parking available.

If you

Clifton or coco, I got on that web site for the apartment owned by the two sisters. I found it, I think. Its in Italian and can't go from there to look at pictures etc. Can you help?

Harriett, scroll down on the home page and hit the British flag and the page will pop up in English or try this link:

http://web.tiscali.it/poggiolo/poggiolo_ing_home.htm

There are no prices listed and I assume you must contact the owners to get a quote, but can you give me an idea what they are going for. We will be in Italy June 2003 and there will be 4 of us.

Thanks so much for all the great information. It really is a help.

Obviously I am new at this posting stuff! I knew that I answered Rick's question but it wasn't where I thought I posted it. Will try again and answer other questions!

Author: Coco2311
Date: 10/13/2003, 09:01 pm
Message: DRIVING IN MONTEPULCIANO

Hi Rick,

Our hosts asked us to meet them in front of a large church which is just outside the city walls. We called them and they welcomed us (honestly) with big smiles, hugs and warm handshakes then we followed them. That first trip to the apartment was very tricky; however, my husband learned the twists and turns quickly. You will be grateful for reserved parking!

You don't need a car IN Montepulciano, only for day trips. When you see the size of the streets inside the city walls, you will understand exactly why. Everything is within walking distance! I was surprised to find out that the church where we met the owners was a short walk from the apartment; it's just getting a car to the parking area that makes it seem so far.

Hope that answered your questions.

Hi Rhonda,

If you click on 'terms & conditions' on the left side of the website, it gives the rates for all three seasons and the number of people. We were there in midseason and were able to split the amount with another couple.

It's after 10 p.m. in Montepulciano and I wish we were there, sitting outside and drinking vino rosa with our friends!

Clifton, please see my 'missing' note to Rick about driving around Montepulciano which I have posted below.

We drove to Chiusi which took 30 minutes or less and easily found the train station. (I know by now you are wishing I could answer a question without giving you the history).

We were trying to find out where to park our car from the 'ticket man' in the station but our Italian wasn't any better than his English. Then a young woman approached and said to 'follow' her.

She drove on a raised loop clockwise around the train station and showed us where we could park FREE OF CHARGE then walk under the tracks to the station. We would have never known!

Just a quick word about Florence. For some reason we had never visited it on earlier trips. When we got off the train, I was overwhelmed with the crowds of people--EVERYWHERE! We were there midweek/off season, yet the line to enter the cathedral went on forever. We did get in to see David without a reservation but it was early. Catch an early train! Also, we found no bargains in the market stalls between the train station and the Academia. Disappointing.

Coco, you've been a great help. I enjoy all of the extra background stuff (I'm always reading people's trip reports on here, even for places I'm not going!)

From what I saw on Trenitalia, Chiusi looked like the major hub but had thought about checking out the Montepulciano Stazione which is supposed to be about 7km out. At least driving by... but if Chiusi has free parking, I think I'll try to find this lot! Sounds like Florence is like anywhere else... if they know that people from out of town will be wandering by, sell it for what you can get. Don't blame 'em, I guess. I'm not looking forward to a crowd like that, but we have to be daytrippers to somewhere eh? I can't pass on at least taking a walk past the duomo.. but I think we will at least get afternoon reservations to the Accademia. Nooo fan of those lines. Or get a very early train and hit a couple shots of expresso or something before I go in. :) A morning person, I'm not but I do want to remember the day later on! Thanks a bunch.

Coco, Thanks for the info on the apartment in Montepulciano. It looks like the perfect place for a week of our next trip to Tuscany. I am in the process of making a reservation and could use some first hand advice of which apartment to request. Any insights?
Thanks!!