Originally had planned staying within the city as a Tuscan touring base. An earlier lodging inquiry response just came offering great accomodations in San Quirico. Any opinions on a choice ? The latter would not be so hilly, not so touristy, and equally quiet at night.....also a little bit closer to Siena.....Guidebooks are light on San Quirico, for whatever that is worth. Thanks.

Montepulciano is a great location for southern Tuscany touring - better than San Quirico in my opinion. You will be a short drive to all the well known villages and sites--note that it will require a car. You can visit San Quirico easily as well as St. Antimo, Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, Pienza and lots of others. Montepulciano itself is a pleasant, laid back typical town with traditional hours and amenities. Go for it!

I haven't visited San Quirico but I absolutely loved Montepulciano and would stay there if I could next time I visit Tuscany. I stayed in Montalcino (and would go back there to stay as well!) it was very easy to get around and I made day trips to many of the hill towns. it is an absolutely beautiful region and you probably can't go wrong no matter where you stay! I can't find San Quirico in any of my Italy travel guides. have fun

I agree with the others - Montepulciano is a great location. You can't go wrong in or around there as a base.

I have been to both several times and they are much different. Montepulciano is more of a real medieval town with more to see and do. San Quirico is much smaller and more quaint and it is a real delight to experience the village ambiance in the evening. Both are wonderful but San Quirico has the better location to explore south Tuscany.

Montepulciano.

It is hard to contradict Bobthe navigator, since he has been so many times and knows way-way-way more than I do.

However, as far as personal favorite, I would cast my vote for Montepulciano. It would not even have to be smack in the middle of Montepulciano. Could be something in the area around or between Montepuciano and Pienza (an agriturismo?), if walking hills is an issue.

Anna Roz

San Quirico and Montepulciano are not that far apart - only 22km. Each town is interesting but in different ways. San Quirico has easier access and, as a "Tuscan touring base", is more centrally located for Val d'Orcia daytrips.

I visited both and each has its own charm. Montipulciano has more restaurants, shops and points of interest. I liked the parking situation for San Quirico and I think it makes a slightly better base for visiting the region...IMO.

>>Montepulciano is a great location for southern Tuscany touring - better than San Quirico in my opinion......... You can visit San Quirico easily as well as St. Antimo, Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, Pienza and lots of others. <<

All the above places are closer to San Quirico than Montepulciano - with the exception of Pienza, which is about half way between Montepulciano & San Quirico. However, the distances between the villages are small & it won't impact your itinerary.

Stu Dudley

Depends on what your want to see!

If you're interested in the Siena area (Siena, San Gim, Montalcino, etc.), then San Quirico is logistically better. If you're interested in eastern Tuscany (Arezzo, Cortona, Chiusi) and/or Umbria, then it's MP hands down.

I don't know much about San Quirico, since my total time spent there is about 3 or 4 minutes total en route and back between MP and Montalcino. MP is a much bigger town than San Quirico -- used in a relative sense since MP is only about 15,000 people -- and therefore has more tourist infrastructure, which is both good and bad. I personally would try San Quirico just because it's a bit off the beaten path, even though I know nothing about it.

My vote would be for San Quirico. We stayed there for 3 nights and loved it. Very quaint, but with a few restaurants for dinner that we could walk to. I agree that it probably depends if you like a larger rather than smaller place. We would definitely stay there again, but we prefer quieter places.

We stayed in San Quirico for 4 nights and loved it. It is central, quaint and quiet as others have said but we ate at 4 different restaurants - all very nice. We stayed at the Relais Palazzo del Capitano - a lovely hotel. Parking was very convenient.

But neither town is far away from each other. It depends what style of place you like.

LOVED our stay in San Quirico, and would go back in a heartbeat.

What time of year?
just to confuse you more, my favorite is Montalcino,especially if you get a room with a view.

St. Quirico!

Our next planned trip to Italy will start in Peimonte and then we will stop In San Quirico for a few nights (will be our second time staying there) on our way down to the Amalfi Coast...

So my vote is for S.Q.

>> Montalcino,especially if you get a room with a view. <<

We stayed at an agriturismo outside of Montalcino and the view from our private pation was: San Quirico!

www.larasina.it

private patio

I don't know why I always want to say St. Quirico instead of San Quirico. Perhaps, I have finally used up all my brain cells.

In any event, below is the link to our favorite hotel.

http://www.palazzodelcapitano.com/index.html