Taking our first trip to Italy in Sept. Made reservations for plane and hotels back in Feb & March. As I continue reading and researching areas we are being consumed with choices.... Actually it is becoming an obsession.
My question is this Where do I stay in Tuscany? I have requested rooms in the following hotels.
Siena Frances Lodge
San Quirico d'Orcia Palazzo del Capitano
Montalcino Palazzina Cesira

We want to rent a car in Chiusia and spend two nights in the country before venturing into Florence.
I would truly appreciate any input.
Also is driving a manual car in this area of Tuscany a hassle. I have not driven a manual car on a regular basis for quite some time but hope it's like riding a bike ( you never forget ).
Thanks!!

I assume you'll ditch the car when you get to Florence, no need for it there and there's no convenient parking. As a practical matter, if you don't regularly drive a manual car know, why would you introduce that uncertainty in the trip and possibly cause problems on an otherwise great vacation?

I agree with not wanting a car in Florence; I disagree that you should be worried about driving a stick...I think it will come back to you very quickly (assuming you either learned on one or have driven one in the past)...if it doesn't, either you'll find someone else to drive or you'll find yourself stalled on a road, lovely as it might be...

I'd worry about other things..such as how soon you can scrape together enough money to go back again!

Enjoy your trip.

DianeP, don't worry about the car...I rarely drive manual at home but always accept it in Europe. I've never had a problem, even had to drive one in Ireland (had reserved automatic but it wasn't available)shifting with my left hand. You'll be amazed how quickly you adapt!

Stayed at Palazzina Cesira this May and enjoyed it. It's a great bargain.
Your "obsession" reminds me of my wife for last years trip. She had done so much research (and loved it)that I thought we would need a suitcase for her notes.
It did make our trip even more successful.

DianeP, I can totally relate with the confusion and so many choices.

We stayed at Il Giglio in Montalcino which is just across the tiny street from Palazzina Cesira. The location was wonderful and Montalcino is a charming town with very good restaurants and adorable shops. Obviously, that was my #1 choice because we stayed there. There is no parking at the hotels, but whoever was at the front desk parked the car for us each night. And there is a public lot up the hill.

We did stop in San Quirico for lunch one rainy day. It is a very nice town, from what we saw, and it was smaller than Montalcino, but the location is also very good.

You should be happy with either location. Maybe if you look at the hotel amenities, that might help you decided where you would be more comfortable. Or do a search here on the hotels to get more info which might sway you one way or the other.

Good luck...you will make the right decision.

Hi Diane,

You're not obsessing - you are enjoying making decisions.

Personally, I really like Montalcino a lot - have stayed there twice, but San Quirico d'Orcia is slightly better placed for getting around.

But either is fine, that is such a great area to drive around, besides the other hill towns, don't miss San Antimo, the romanesque abbey just south of Montalcino.