Tuscany
 

We're going back to Tuscany!
Last we stayed at Castello Vicchiomaggio. Now we'd like to try some place new. Last we traveled around Greve mostly and saw Sienna and San Gimignano. Now we'd like to see Montalcino and Montepulciano but also do a day trip to Florence. Can anyone suggest a place for us to base ourselve and suggest a nice agritourism where we can stay and preferably have breakfast?
Thank you!

No one has anything to suggest?

What is your price range?

We stayed here near Pienza and absolutely loved it. The breakfasts were unbelievable. The hosts are wonderful. We loved the location. Montepulciano, Montalcino and even Orvieto were easy day trips. Happy planing.

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

There are some beutiful places around Pienza, but I don't know the specifics (but I do know who does).. Go to slowtrav.com and ask Bobthenavigator for a suggestion. He has never steered us wrong.

Fonte Bertusi, as michele_d suggests, is wonderful. I've stayed there 5 times and will continue to return.

Some other choices in the area-


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

We spend 4 days at the Fattoria Fregoli in July. It's a couple of miles outside Pienza - perfect location. (actually just a few minutes from Fonte Bertisi listed above)

You can see pictures in the last half of this set...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=a68f5a1d2e

Wonderful breakfast made by one of the owners
beautiful views and pool
4 apartments. Ours had 2 bedrooms, one up in the tower.

http://www.agriturismo.it/en/farmhouse/tuscany>>

here's the website for numerous agriturismi in italy.

the search engine will let you narrow down your search.

For Pienza, you can search their website that lists the properties in the area.
http://www.portalepienza.it/

Montalcino and Montepulciano use proloco to list theirs.

http://www.prolocomontepulciano.it/
http://www.prolocomontalcino.it/

We stayed at Terre di Nano and loved it. We had the "little house" it's self catering. They also have rooms (and breakfast) in the main Villa. If you go, take home some of their Olive Oil, it's divine.

It's a lovely property

We were the only Americans at the Fattoria Fregoli and it was not very touristy. This place was charming and a family run affair. The rooms look like what is shown on the website. Certainly never crowded, although all 4 apartments were rented while we were there. You will see in my pictures a little sign which reads Il Macchione. I was a bit confused by that, but it is the name of the hill upon which sits the farmhouse. The name of the agriturismo is Fattoria Fregoli - it was turned into an agriturismo a few years ago. The owner speaks English and works hard on his fields. He was going to take us to see his olive oil production but because of an illness in his family, there was no one to take us. When we bought some olive oil anyway, they gave us some extra smaller bottles. If you prefer something more touristy with set activities and popular with Americans, this isn't for you, but we were completely happy there, and loved that there was a sign on the main road so we never missed the turn in the dark. (The sign wasn't for the agriturismo, just for a town past it, but it assured that we never missed the turn!)

Antico Borgo San Lorenzo is a great rustic villa - that the Bandini family has reconstructed over an old San Lorenzo church on the old pilmigrame route to Rome. A family owned business - very friendly folks! We stayed here two years ago.

Antico Borgo San Lorenzo
Localita Pian Dei Campi Poggibonsi, SI 53036 Italy
1-866-599-6674

Its on a perfect location, about 25km north of Siena making Florence within 45 min drive, Crete area, Greve all very accesible. We drove down to Montalcino - San Quirico d'orcia, Pienza - Montepulciano and stopped in each town - it was a great drive. Stopped along the way at some vineyards.

Wow! You are all wonderful! It'll take me a day or so to go through everything and then post back! (I can only research this at night, after all the little ones are put to bed!)

I would say our budget is around $200-$300/night for the 6 of us (my family of 5 plus my mother-in-law). Ideally, we'd like to be at a place in the countryside that does have a breakfast and then we'll do day trips for lunch and dinner. And as long as we're driving distance from Montalcino, etc. and Florence, we're good! Sounds like I have a lot of Great options! Thank you again so much!

Hi Jacquie!
I can suggest a wonderful place in Lucca, http://www.locandalelisa.it/

Is an hotel set in an elegant 1800’s Italian Villa. Is located in a good position, easily you can reach Pisa, Siena and Forte dei Marmi. here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqXOa...layer_embedded you can watch the youtube video of Locanda l'Elisa.

have a nice trip!

We just returned this week from an 8 night stay at Terre di Nano located about 1/2 way between Montepulciano and Pienza. I also recommend it highly! Wish I had brought home some of their olive oil, but we only did carry on luggage this trip. My only comment is that, from the area around Montalcino and Montepulciano(the Val d'Orcia), it is quite a drive into Florence. If you want to be within driving distance of both Montalcino and Florence, I would stay closer to Siena which is more centrally located.

We stayed on a farm just outside Pienza, maybe a mile. (Note: I recall that some places say you could "walk into town". I don't know what road they were on, but I can't imagine walking very far on the main roads. Traffic goes pretty fast.)

Anyway, La Fonte was our base for a week. http://www.lafonte.toscana.it/2006/ita/
You could rent 3 units, offering more privacy for you and your MIL. All the units are in the same building...each has outside access.

We loved it. Nothing fancy, but clean. Gorgeous grounds with a magnificent view of Tuscan countryside. The website doesn't do the view justice. Easy drives to Pienza, Montepulciano, San Quirico, Montalcino, S'ant Antimo abbey, and all the other little villeges in Val D'Orcia. We ate "far" afield several nights---wine included---and were not the least uncomfortable driving back home. This is a working farm, so often there was no one around...which was fine with us.

When are you going? The pool is lovely with full view of the countryside.