Boggsy44

Hello. My wife to be and I will be honeymooning in Sicily and then Tuscany in the first two weeks of October.

After leaving Taormina in Sicily, we will be landing in Florence on a Saturday afternoon. After hanging out and sleeping in Florence that night we will rent a car and spent the next four nights exploring Tuscany. Because we are flying out of Florence, we will be coming back there for one day and night before flying out.

We are hoping for some good suggestions on a base town for exploring Tuscany by car. Our hotel budget is probably up to 300euros at the very most per night. 150-250 would be better but we want a romantic place for the occasion.

I've done a lot of research but am quite confused. I THINK we want to stay just outside Siena so we can experience the "country" feel while having access to Chianti and south to Montelpulciano and San Gimignano. However, many areas in Chianti, like Greve, also look nice.

Any help would be so appreciated.

bobthenavigator

On that Sunday you will need to get your car at the airport.

This may help for accommodations:


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.

7. Fattoria Vignale http://www.vignale.it/eng/ Four star hotel in Radda in the heart of Chianti. About 230E for double

Boggsy44

Awesome information! So much to go through. Great recommendations on the hotels.

Sounds like all the areas (Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano, etc) have great places to stay.

If you had to pick one base town which might you pick? Based on pure beauty, culture, things to do and convenience?

Also, is a pool of any significance in early October? From looking at the average daily temp for October it seems like it may be too cool for the pool.

Thanks again!

bobthenavigator

I love Palazzo del Capitano in San Quirico---and the fact it is in the village. If you want rural, look at Terre di Nano in Val d, Orcia or Fattoria Tregole in Chianti. Forget the pool that late.

Boggsy44

Thanks Bob. Sounds like you like Pienza. I'm seeing a lot of Pienza threads throughout here. Thanks! I guess the only pool worthwhile in October might be of the thermal variety-- anyway I would be able to enjoy some water in Sicily (i hope).