Thinking about renting a place in Tuscany for a week or so in September/October. What area would be a good central point to base ourselves in and what airport to fly into? If I sound ignorant about this, it is because I AM and am relying on you Fodorites to point me in the right direction, as you always do. Thanks!

Chianti and the Val d'Orcia areas are both good. There are plenty of sights, towns and villages to explore in a week or so within a base in either area. The Maremma area is also good for a week or so.

I love staying at this agriturismo, in a central and beautiful location just outside of Pienza in southern Tuscany (Val d'Orcia/Crete Senesi)-

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

Here are some others, all well located in the same general area. Some on the list also serve "home cooked" dinners using local ingredients-

http://www.santamariapienza.it/index.php?lang=ing

http://www.agriturismocasalpiano.it/index.html

http://www.cretaiole.it/index.en.php
(Excellent location)

http://www.cretedisiena.com/Casa_Picchiata/english.htm
(Excellent location)

http://www.terredinano.com/pages_eng...o_toscana.aspx

http://www.lafonte.toscana.it/2006/ita/
(Excellent location)

http://www.agriturismosangallo.com/ENG/home.html

http://www.tobruk.it/agriturismo.php?lingua=en
(Incredible views and a beautiful property)

http://www.casafrati.toscana.nu/
(Well priced)

http://www.lupaia.com/location.html
(A beautiful B&B located in the valley below Montepulciano)

http://www.lafoce.com/
(Beautiful apartments/houses/villa/property- very special)

http://www.lacasadiadelina.com/index...t&id=9&lang=en
(A small, lovely B&B located within the small, lovely town of Monticchiello)

http://www.lemaribelle.it/intro.en.php
(3 apartments located in Monticchiello)

If none of the above works for you, consider searching these two websites-

http://www.cretedisiena.com/english/

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...cany/valdorcia

I like to use these guidebooks to point me in the right direction-

http://www.amazon.com/Insight-Guide-.../dp/1585733008

http://www.roughguides.com/website/s...ny-Umbria.aspx

Grazie, zoecat....your recommendations are awesome.

If I may add my 2 cents or rather 2 euros, I can suggest:

In the area of Montepulciano

Podere San Giuseppe
www.tenutasantagnese.com
[email protected]

Agriturismo Trese
www.verdidea.com

Villa Poggiano
Stefania Savini
[email protected]
www.montorio.com

Have fun checking out these beautiful accommodations.

GoodLuckGirl- That Verdidea site has a lot of great choices and is nice for searching within specific areas. Thanks for sharing!

Hi there...fly into Florence if you can and rent the car from the airport. Easy to get on the highway to Tuscany from there. We have enjoyed Montepulciano as a base (Relais San Bruno) and Greve as a base as well (Villa Vignamaggio).
enjoy!
CC