john183

Yahoo!!!! We are planning our 4th trip to Italy in May of 2014 (this time two couples going to parts of Tuscany and Umbria, the Amalfi Coast and Rome). We are in the very beginning stages but the plan so far is to fly in to Rome, rent a car at FCO and drive to a villa in either Tuscany or Umbria for a week. Then figure out the best way to get to Positano for about 4 days and finally end up in Rome for 4 or 5 days.

The part I need help with is where to locate for the first week (we want to stay in one place all week). On one of our trips, my wife and I stayed just outside of Panzano in an apartment in a villa that we absolutely loved. The view of olive groves and vineyards on the lovely rolling, green hills of the Chianti Classico area from our terrace was perfect.

When I draw a circle around the places we want to visit on this trip, Sinalunga is very near the center of it. I know I am probably asking the impossible but I would like to find an apartment in a villa somewhere near Sinalunga that has a terrace or balcony view of scenery something like the area near Panzano. We are looking for more than just a place to sleep – for part of the week we want to have some down time cooking and sipping wine while enjoying the apartment and the view.

I’ve done some searching and the closest thing I have found so far is the Tosca apartment in Villa Puccini. http://www.parkervillas.com/italy/tu...uccini-tosca/6 Even though I like the apartment itself, I have a few concerns (mostly about privacy). I can’t seem to find any reviews of Villa Puccini anywhere online. Does anyone have any experience with this place?


Yea I know you are thinking if he wants a Chianti Classico view, he should stay in the Chianti Classico area - but it’s still early in the search and I’m holding out for a perfect place in a central location!!! LOL!!! So I thought I would see if anyone knows of a nice 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in a villa somewhere near Sinalunga that they would recommend. Thanks….

john183

Topping to give this one more try......

bobthenavigator

The Crete area of Tuscany is nothing like the Panzano area, and many actually prefer south Tuscany to Chianti. I would look near San Quirico and Pienza for the best of Tuscany.

john183

Thanks Bob. I'm one of those crazy people that actually prefers Chianti to south Tuscany. I was just hoping to find something with a Chianti-like view near Sinalunga but I guess that just isn't going to happen. So it looks like I'm going to have to settle for long days trips from a villa in Chianti or a less than spectacular view with shorter day trips from a place near Sinalunga. Either way, I know the trip will be great because we'll be in Tuscany!!!!

kybourbon

I don't care for the Sinalunga area (or Sinalunga). It's just too new and doesn't have the views you would find a bit south. I'm sure there is a spot or two with views, but I think much of the area isn't attractive.

Without knowing what towns you want to visit, it's hard to suggest a more appropriate location.

kybourbon

FWIW - If you do stay there, there is a local train with just a few routes (one to Arezzo) if you don't want to drive all the time. Of course you can also catch a train there to places like Siena (Trenitalia) or south to Chiusi.

http://www.trasportoferroviariotosca...vizi_orari.asp

bobthenavigator

OK---check out this one for a good compromise.
Tell Elena I sent you.

http://www.borgoargenina.it/index.html

A special rural B&B in Chianti. The lovely owner, Elena, will make you feel like family. 170E for double

Jean

In your OP, you mentioned you were considering both Tuscany and Umbria. The scenery you describe sounds like Umbria, esp. around Todi, Monte Castello di Vibio, maybe Montefalco.

Without knowing where you want to day trip, recommendations are somewhat meaningless.

john183

Thanks for the replies. I always have a lot on my wish list but try to play it by ear and narrow it down once we are there. Our list includes: Chianti Classico area (Panzano, Greve, Castellina, Radda), Cortona, some of Southern Tuscany (Montepulciano, Pienza, San Quirico D'orca, Montalcino) and Umbria (Assisi, Deruta, Orvieto). Plus a little time for stumbling across some new places. Sinalunga seems central and convenient for most of these places but there would still be a couple of long days even from there.

kybourbon - I'm afraid I agree that the area near Sinalunga just doesn't have the views I'm hoping for. Thanks for the train info.

bob - the Villa Oliviera looks great - exactly the views we had in mind. It's on my list to check out.

Jean - if only Panzano wasn't so far from everything else we want to see I would stay there again in a hearbeat - but trying to cover quite a bit of ground in one week from one place without spending every day driving all day is our goal.

Jean

I think your day trip list is ambitious. You mention 12 towns to drive to and see in 7 days. As you know, you have to park outside every town and walk in/out which adds time everywhere.

For that list, I don't see the great advantage to staying in Sinalunga unless you're valuing a few minutes' driving time over atmosphere. For example, Montepulciano is only 10 miles from Sinalunga and much more charming. Of course, you need to find the property that works best for your group.

john183

Jean - our day trip list is really just a list of many possible day trips that we would pick and choose from once we are there. But I'm beginning to see your point. I'm thinking a few minutes extra driving time will be well worth it if we can find a place with the right atmosphere. Thanks for your input.

macanimals

Just a quick point about your "Parker" Villa Puccini and the lack of reviews.

Parker will include reviews but as always, one second guesses those provided by the villa/apartment as self serving. Independent reviews are probably out there but likely under a different name for the villa. Parker has the habit of renaming a place for its offerings. A few years back we took a Parker villa for a couple of weeks and realized no one knew the place under the "Parker" name but under a different one. It all worked out well--lovely place for 16!--and we did find reviews under a different name. So don't despair and good luck. Paul

john183

macanimals - thanks for the info about Parker villas. I think I would have to get lucky to stumble across a review of this villa under another name - not sure how else to find it.

We have expanded our search to areas near Castello Brolio (close to Gaiole) and we are finding quite a few good options. Looks like we should be able to find something we will really like.

kybourbon

It's not hard to locate this place (distinctive pool) or it's name. A quick Google search turns up San Giustino di Banella Marzia in Sinalunga with reviews (and pics) on TA.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...a_Tuscany.html

Here's their website.

http://www.sangiustino.com/

john183

kybourbon - Wow! You're obviously much better at Google searching than I am. What did you search for to find this so quickly? Thanks for the help.

BTW You made a comment on my trip report to Piedmont that I've been wondering about for nearly a year now. Here is your comment:

>>>I bought some wine on clearance 6-7 few years ago at my local wine shop. It was 1990 Giacomo Borgogno e Filgi Riserva. $7 a bottle (seems to be selling online for $150 a bottle). I haven't opened any yet, but I think it's about time. Bogogno and Piedmont is on my to do list.<<<

So have you opened a bottle yet and have you made it to Piedmont yet?