La Foce photos on google are simply stunning! I can't find the name of the Siena resto, sorry. Where to next?

enewell: Yes, I thought the house was worth not having the view.

HOWEVER, you could consider staying at the Locanda del Capitano, right across the street, and if you had a room on top floor, with balcony, you would have great views!!

Also, there are two other houses for rent in Montone, one is just outside the walls with great views, and the other is larger, and just inside the walls, and featured on SlowTrav, by a nice lady called Margaret something.

I'll see if I can find them. and re post if I do., but I think if you google houses in Montone, you might find them.

There is one that is for 2 people, and one that sleeps 6. as I recall.

TDudette: We are going to France this fall, in three weeks we fly to Paris, for 3 days, then the Dordogne in a house with friends for a week, then back to Paris for a week's apartment rental. Are we not fortunate?? I hope our old bones will manage it OK!!

Dear Taconictraveler, thanks so much for the Montone information. You've given me much to think about! I will search out the other properties in that village. I hope your France trip is fabulous!

Enewell: Take a look at VRBO 178649. It is the little stone house I mentioned, just outside the Medieval walls in Montone. We have obviously not stayed there, but it is has views, and though it doesn't seem too private, neither was our house, Montone Due, and yet we loved every minute there!
It's called Casa Montone, and really looks good.

One thing to be aware of in Montone is that most of the larger places I've seen to rent are down in the new town, which is not as charming as the old medieval town, so this Casa Montone seems to be a good alternative, with views, but maybe more traffic during the day.

I'll try to find the other one also. Good luck in your search

Just looked at Casa Montone. Love the fireplace and bookshelves! Another possibility to contemplate... Thanks for all the tips!

Taconic - i'm so glad to come across your trip report while researching for an upcoming potential trip to Tuscany (fingers crossed!).

Do you prefer Tuscany or the Dordogne more?

Thanks for sharing your travels. Looking forward to reading this report!

Piccolina: I guess I'd have to say I prefer Tuscany, especially the southern part, the Val d'Orcia. Maybe that's because I know it better. And I even speak French!! I did have a marvelous second trip to the Dordogne this year, and I would not turn down another trip there!

Where do you plan to go in Tuscany?

Tacon - sorry for my delayed reply. I didn't know you responded until I started reading your trip report now!

I'll be staying near Pienza for a week. Then heading to Florence for 4 days afterward. I just finished reading part 1 of your trip report for your 20 matchless days and am wondering if Umbria (and all those other wonderful towns you mentioned, such as Gubbio, Urbino) is too far to do as day trips if I'm based in Pienza?

My geography about Tuscany is very poor at the moment - don't really have a general sense of where places are just yet. Apologies if I sound like I haven't done my research. But thank goodness for google maps! I think Pienza is in the Val D'orcia area, which you mentioned is your favorite part of Tuscany.

Wow - I'm getting really excited about the trip just hearing you say that you prefer Tuscany over the Dordogne. It's a bold statement!

Piccolina: hope you find this. I think Urbino is really too far for a day trip from Pienza. When we were staying in Montone, near Umbertide, Gubbio was an hour, and Urbino was two full hours away.

Then From Montone west to Pienza would be over an hour. Google maps says Gubbio is two hours from Pienza, so by that reckoning, Urbino would be three hours from Pienza.

We never went on a day trip farther than two hours away, and even that was probably too much.

I love Pienza, a great small town, with good restaurants. If you are not familiar with it, check this forum for Puenza restaurants. There are two wonderful ones, but you should reserve. I can't remember the names at the moment, but if you can't find them, I'll find them for you.

Also, if you haven't been there try to plan to see the gardens at La Foce (usually open on Wednesday afternoons, I think.) but you can email "lafoce.com" and contact Benedetta Isidori, the manager, who will tell you more exactly how to see them.

If you need any more detailed info, feel free to email me at betsy at shequine dot com. .