We are going to Italy in October and are spending 3 days in the Tuscany region. We had originally booked a hotel in the center of Siena but since we are spending our 10 other days in the middle of Rome, Florence, and Venice we are now thinking about a nice relaxing place in the country. We will have a car and are planning to explore the countryside. Anybody have experience with a winery or a nice place with possibley a pool that is in the area? Also, if anyone thinks we are off base on not wanting to stay in the town of Siena I'd love to hear from you as well. Any suggestions are greatly appreciate. Thanks.

Amy, <BR> <BR>Last year, we stayed near a lovely hotel, the Belvedere San Leonino, which is located out in the country (with a pool) between Castellina in Chianti and Siena. We didn't stay there, but I did put my head in and have a look around, and it looked very, very nice. It may be just what you're looking for. Here are some web sites <BR> <BR>&lt;www.hotelsanleonino.com&gt; <BR>&lt;http://www.chiantinet.it/assopec/alb...lcome.html&gt; <BR>&lt;http://www.pathfinder.com/travel/TL/.../1036.html&gt;

Amy: <BR> <BR>Just returned from Chianti. We stayed at Tenuta di Ricavo (you can find them on the web-sorry no addresses handy - try Romantik Hotels - Tenuta di Ricavo)about 5 minutes east of Castellina in Chianti and about 35-40 minutes from Siena. Sounds like a long way but actually very well situated for day trips throughout Tuscany. We visited Montepulciano, Montalcino,Castellina. Badia e Coltibuono, Volterra, San Giminagno and many little towns in between. Montepulciano was the furthest from our hotel at 1.5 hours and we worked our way back to a wonderful dinner at the hotel. Tenuta di Ricavo is spectacular-very secluded and peaceful-yet a full service country inn. It has 2 pools, a great restaurant and very helpful staff. Rooms were reasonable for the time of year (approx $150 USD)and certainly a good value. We checked out many other places in the area for future trips and you may want to look into Vescine, also very beautiful. Do not miss Cane e Gato for dinner in Siena - if you do nothing else - eat there!

My husband and I stayed at a really charming hotel/villa about 1.5 miles north of siena up on a hill called Villa Scacciapensieri. Our 3rd floor room looked out over a magnificent Italian garden and terrace which offered fabulous sunset views as well. The grounds were great. There were several seating areas outside and a pool. The concierge was terrific (Bruce), and it was easy to get around by rental car, bus just outside or taxi to Siena, Montalcino, Castellina, Badia e Coltibuono, etc. It was $277. per night for a double room with private bath, breakfast and taxes. Phone: 011 39 0577 41441. email: [email protected]

I foound the website for Villa Scacciapensieri: www.web.tin.it/villascacciapensieri. Check out the "images of the villa".

We also stayed at the Villa Scacciapensieri outside of Sienna. We had a beautiful room with a balcony overlooking the countryside. The breakfast was in the garden or a lovely breakfast room if raining. There was a pool and very nice service. We ended up leaving our car when we went into town and took a taxi to dinner ( the Cane e Gato!!!!! must go) otherwise we drove around the countryside all day to Cortona, Montalcino, Montapulciano and the Castle di Brolio in Chianti!!! I would definitely recommend this hotel. <BR>Mary

Thanks for all the great advice. The first two options were already booked - I'm glad we didn't wait to just wing it when we got there. I did email the Villa Scaccipensirei - the pictures on the web site look wonderful - and I am waiting to hear back. However, please keep the suggestions coming along since they may be booked - also any restaurant recs would be great. I have heard rave reviews about Cane e Gato so that is a must. Thanks again for all the advice.

Borgo Pretale near Sovicille is maybe 10 miles from Siena and Locanda dell'Amorosa in Sinalunga--one the best places we've found for touring around in Tuscany. Also like the Granducato in Montepulciano and Al Brunello di Montalcino in Montalcino. Recommend eating at the Locanda and at Poggio Antico near Montalcino. Cane e Gatto is indeed super--sounds like it's been "discovered" though so you might want to reserve ahead. There's also a little hotel called Villa Gloria near Siena in Quercegrossa, but I haven't been inside. You could almost stretch your boundaries a bit and look at places in San Gimignano or Volterra. As to are you off base not wanting to stay in Siena, that's your choice, but know that Siena is wonderful after the tourists leave and is a perfectly safe town in which to walk after dark. I might do the outside the city hotel in connection with Florence instead. Enjoy.