We are searching for the best agriturismo experience in the Pienza- San Quirico region. Objectives are natural beauty, large bed, pool, interesting food/wine/ produce environment, outdoor cooking etc. So far we have found Le Traverse which looks like an interesting option. Most reports seem to be very good but there are some not so good ones too. Opinions on Le Traverse and other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Loved Fonte Bertusi when I was there last May. It is right outside of Pienza....I can't wait to return there!!

Try this:
http://www.poggiolo.info/

You may find this place interesting: Terre Di Nano
http://www.terredinano.com

My son and wife stayed there last September and loved it!
It is off some dirt roads but situated between Monticchielo (5-10 min. drive away, small but a good restaurant there) and Montepulcano (10-15 min away, lots shops, wineries and restaurants). Also within reach is Pienza (good cheese) and of course, within an hour and half drive of most of the great spots in Tuscany.

In two weeks I'll be staying at an agriturismo right outside of Pienza. I couldn't find much information about it, and no one here responded that they were familiar with it. So I booked it based upon their website and my correspondence with the owner. I can give you feedback on it when I get back. Here is the link -
http://www.agriturismocerreto.com/index-ing.htm

Another vote for Fonte Bertusi. I've stayed there 4 times and love it. Hi Kathryn!

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/

Thank you. Any comments about Le Traverse which still appeals based on king bed, nice room, pool etc and great location ?

Moving away from Agriturismo, I have been very impressed with comments made by Fodorites over the years about La Saracina and Chiostro di Pienza. These seem to make me think more deeply about countryside versus town locations ! ?

Hey Scotia - I also stayed at Terre di Nano! We took the La Terrazza apartment with a fantastic rooftop terrace, and panoramic views. I'm so glad to hear someone else enjoyed it as much as we did!

Hi sheri_lp. I noticed that the Terazza sleeps four and is fairly large. There are only two of us so was wondering if you were aware of the alternatives or whether the Terazza is the standout and worth paying the premium for two. Cant quite tell from the web site what the views and environment is like from the other rooms offered. Any comments greatly appreciated ? Thank you.

I just noticed you wanted a pool - forget about Cerreto. I wasn't sure if they had a pool or not because we don't plan on swimming so I never took notice, but I just went to their website to check it out.

In response to your implied question about staying in the countryside vs. town: it depends! If you're going for a relaxation vacation and just want to lay around the pool or if it's just for a night or two, find an agriturismo that serves dinners and has good food. Otherwise, if using this as a base to tour southern Tuscany, I'd stay in or, best of all, on the edge of a town, a town with a choice of restaurants. Pienza and San Quirico fit this criteria and are excellent bases for daytripping by car.

I wouldn't want to eat at the same place every night. I like to try different restaurants. And, after a hard day of sightseeing, it's nice to have a leisurely dinner with wine and not worry about driving home in the dark.

Bob - Il Poggiolo looks amazing. Did you stay there?

No, but I did have clients stay there and they liked it. I prefer San Quirico as the perfect location for day trips in south Tuscany--it is just outside.

We've stayed at both Chiostro and Saracina. Latter is incredible. Enormous rooms (and bathrooms of equal size), pool, beautiful breakfast room, ultimate place to pamper yourself and relax--but no dining, so you have to drive every night and find your way back. It's also way up there price wise, but once you see it, you'll know why. Chiostro has nice public rooms, a pool--but down steps from the rooms, but relatively plain bedrooms--unless they've redecorated since we stayed there in 2001. Price is quite a bit lower than Saracina, but you can walk to dinner every night if you so choose--or drive as you would at Saracina to some of the better restaurants in surrounding towns.

We've stayed twice at Saracina and count it as one of the nicest places we've ever stayed (given that we've made 73 trips to Europe, that's saying quite a bit about Saracina) and only once at Chiostro, but I don't know which I'd opt for if we were going again right now. The opportunity to be right in town is pretty important and the price is quite different between the two. A lot depends upon what you want out of a place for the trip you're taking this time.

Good_Will - there were three of us in that apartment. One bedroom has the queen and the 2nd bedroom has two twins. We liked the size of the kitchen and living room, and the terrace as I mentioned. It was comfortable, and had everything we could need. We were on the terrace each morning with coffee and each evening with wine - and of all the places we stayed, it's our favorite. Giorgio the owner was very helpful getting us set up, and responded quickly to email.

There are two main buildings. Just looking at the website now, and we stayed in what they call an 'independent house'. When you drive up and go to check-in, that's the building we stayed in upstairs. The adjacent building is their 'villa' with some hotel rooms and some apartments and where they serve breakfast on a B&B option I think.

There is also one small house by itself called Casetta - and you walk by it as you go toward the pool. It's big and would be nice for a longer stay too.

I don't think they have outdoor grills or anything, but they do produce their own wine and olive oil. The day we arrived was the last day of the harvest but the hills still were green and beautiful in mid-October.

If you decide to give it a try, let me know I'll help with directions.

If you're looking at Saracina, have you checked out L'Olmo? It's in the Pienza area, gets rave reviews, looks very nice, and may be closer to town or easier to get to. Prices may be similar to Saracina though. OTOH, maybe it would be a good alternative to both. Google and take a look.

I'm surprised that you've heard/read negative things about Le Traverse- We stayed there almost 2 years ago and LOVED it! We had two rooms as we were traveling with my adult son as well. Both rooms were VERY comfortable - initially I was worried about no a/c but the rooms were cool enough at night that we actually slept under the covers (BTW - it was 90+ during the day). Pinuccia was a great hostess - booked wonderful restaurants for us, gave us ideas for our daily itinerary, etc. Breakfast was excellent and as I recall there was a bottle of wine from their vineyard as well. We enjoyed sitting by the pool in the afternoon after sightseeing. There was an English couple there who were staying for an entire week and were also very happy with all Pinuccia's recommendations - including where to buy bread, cheese, wine for picnic lunches. We purchased several dozen bottles of olive oil from her before we left and had her ship them to our home - made for great gifts for friends and to keep us in olive oil for a good year or so.

Not sure what could possibly be wrong, but for us - well, we're just hoping to be like the English couple some day and spend an entire week there!

Thank you all for your comments. AllTravelr, after searching the forum for Le Traverse back for several years we did find a few negative comments here and elsewhere, however most comments have been very positive. Mimar's comments were also thought provoking. After taking a satellite view of Le Traverse I was impressed by its close proximity to Pienza and its stand alone position with great views and so, we are off to Le Traverse as our southern base. We can then visit Pienza for dinner by car where we will be able to park. As we enjoy long walks we may even take the 4km walk there. we will report back on what we find at Le Traverse and in the area. If you know any restaurants in Pienza or San Quirico that have been good in recent times then please let us know ? Thanks again.

See if this helps:

GOOD EATS IN TOSCANA---2008
I have never been called “ BOB THE FOODIE” , but here are some of the best places to eat in Tuscany based on feedback from many of my clients. Reservations are suggested for most!
$=inexpensive $$=moderate prices $$$= expensive

FLORENCE:
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco $$ Across the river & very good.
La Giostra $$$ Excellent, but you must book in advance

SIENA:
Osteria Le Logge $$ Great place for lunch and near Il Campo
Cane e Gato $$$ A fixed price & menu for a true feast—allow 4 hours

LUCCA:
Buca di San Antonio $$ Best in town and near San Michele
Il Giglio $$ In the piazza of the same name---favorite with locals

SAN GIMIGNANO:
Il Pino $$ Very good typical Tuscan fare
Le Vecchie Mura $ Good value for a tourist town

MONTALCINO:
Taverna Grappolo Blu $ Popular with locals as well.
Ristorante Poggio Antico $$ Excellent cuisine 5km south of town at winery location
Enoteca Osteria Osticcio $ Best wine tasting & small meals in town

MONTEPULCIANO:
La Grotta $$ Near San Biagio church & very good
Café Poliziano $ Great place for lunch on shopping street

PIENZA: Latte du Luna $$ Best choice in this charming village

BAGNO VIGNONI: Osteria del Leone $ Good lunch choice in this spa hamlet

MONTICCHIELLO: La Porta $ Charming place with outside terrace

SAN QUIRICO: Trattoria al Vecchio Forno $ Good food & fair value

CASTELLINA: Al Gallopapa $$$ Creative & varied menu in Chianti