We are looking to travel to Venice, Tuscany and Amalfi coast in Sept- Oct. We would like to be in a centrally located town in Tuscany where we can visit Siena, San Gimignano and some of the other Tuscan towns(suggestions?). We will have a car. Any ideas on towns to stay in?

Siena itself is fairly central but I assume you prefer to stay in a smaller place, is that correct?

There is no one location that is perfect. I prefer south of Siena[ Montalcino, Pienza et al] but others like the Chianti area or near San Gim. This may help:


BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TUSCANY
A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby

1. Relais La Saracina www.lasaracina.it 230 to 300E
Fabulous country home near Montepulciano—helpful owners

2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families
Isabella also has 2 apts. in Castelmuzio for rent—wonderful—see her site.

3. Terre di Nano www.terredinano.com 100 to 155
Both rooms and apartments at rural Agriturismo near Monticchiello

4. Casanova di Pescille http://www.casanovadipescille.com/ 100E
Rural B&B 3 KM from famed San Gimignano—we loved the views of San Gim.

5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti

6. Agriturismo apts. near San Quirico— www.poggiolo.info/ About 110E

7. New historic B&B north of Pienza. http://www.camprena.it/index.htm
Site of filming for THE ENGLISH PATIENT About 90E for double

8. 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

B. IN-TOWN LOCATIONS: For walking convenience to shops & ristorantes.

1. Palazzo del Capitano www.palazzodelcapitano.com 170 to 210E
Very nice small hotel in center of San Quirico—perfect location to explore.

2. Vecchia Oliviera www.vecchiaoliviera.com/ 150 to 200E
Nice 4 star hotel at the gate into lovely Montalcino---has pool.

3. Palazzina Cesari www.montalcinoitaly.com 80 to 110E
Lovely small B&B in heart of Montalcino—great value—2 night stay minimum.

4. Locanda di San Francesco www.locandasanfrancesco.it 180 to 200E
New boutique B&B in a lovely location in Montepulciano—great reviews !

5. Politian apartments http://www.politian.com/ Good value apts. with
minimum stay of 3 nights in Montepulciano---helpful host---85E

6. Palazzo Ravizza www.palazzoravizza.it 170 to 250E
Very nice & popular hotel in Siena with parking.

Pienza. You can easily visit Siena, Montalcino, Montepuliciano and other hill towns. San G is a bit further, but you might visit enroute (after picking up your car). Where do you plan to pick up your car?

We stayed in an agriturismo just outside San Gimignano, less than 1km away, an easy walk to the medieval town. It is lovely and has spectaculare views, and has high reviews for its food, hospitality, etc. It is called Agriturismo Nicolai - Palagetto di Sotto, and they produce their own wines and olive oil, on request you can go and visit the cellars and they even might organize wine-tasting.

San Gimignano is very central in my opinion to reach all major towns of Tuscany, and some of those in Umbria. Plus it is so very very beautiful, we ended up visiting it about 4 times during our stay, even just to have dinner there.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. We are picking the car up in Florence. Staying in a larger place like Siena is not an issue all.We may stay near San Gim.

About 10 years ago, we stayed in a wonderful hotel near Siena called Borgo Pretale www.borgopretale.it. It is a renovated 11th century abbey. It had a great restaurant, the rooms were very nice, and it was a convenient drive to several lovely Tuscan towns. Friends recently stayed there and said it was great.

We have stayed in Greve and in Panzano, fairly close together in the Chiani area of Tuscany. They are well suited to visiting Siena and San Gimignano. If you want to visit Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino, you would be better off staying in Siena or a little further south.