I'm looking for the ideal base for us in Tuscany-preferably the Val d'orcia area. We'll be renting a property for a week after having rented in Venice for a week. We have 2 children aged 4 and 18 months when we visit but will use a backpack not a stroller for our youngest. We are both quite fit so not counting out hilltowns. That said, we want to be based in a town but not really a big town. Considering Montichiello, and also San G although I hear its very touristy. ANY ideas would be great.

Ani:

Our family spent four nights in Pienza last spring, coming from Venice, same as you. We found it to be a perfect base for us as well as perfectly beautiful. We did visit Montichellio one afternoon. Very picturesque but not much going on there and much steeper to walk around town than Pienza which is flat but overlooks all the nearby towns, including Montichellio. Pienza is small, but larger than Montichellio with a bit more to offer with shopping needs etc. We stayed in an apt inside the walls, and were able to shop at both Coops (grocery stores) and cheese/wine shops in town. There is a self service laundry in nearby San Quirico. Hope this helps.
Tiller

Thanks Tiller. jsut after posting this I started looking into Pienza as well. any recs for rentals?

Ani:

We stayed at il Giardina Segreto. Just google it with Pienza and the site should come up. There are several size apts, different pricing, but all very reasonable. We stayed in both the 2 bedroom apts over the 4 nights (had to switch last 3rd night as it was reserved). Both are very lovely. This is an old family home restored and converted to apts. Nice courtyard in center. We emailed for reservations and used credit card. The manager (Rosella) met us when we arrived to take payment, show us around, and give us the keys. She does not speak English but it all worked out. We carried our italian phrase book everywhere. We were able to drive our rental car to the apt to unload our luggage etc and then parked in the free lot outside of the walls, not a long walk and no big deal. By the way, the photos on the website do not do justice to how charming and pretty the apts are, I was pleasantly surprised and my husband and daughters were happy here too. They are not luxurious by any means but very comfortable and tasteful. Hope this helps,
Tiller

Ani:
The website is www.ilgiardinosegreto.toscana.nu

Tiller

Although I thought Montichiello was as cute as a button and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, it is too small for my liking. More of a hamlet than a town really. I believe there is only one restuarant mind you we had one of our best meals at the Porta in Montichiello. No real shops in town for supplies and no bank machine.

Although Pienza is a little more touristy, it makes an ideal base. You may also want to consider San Quirco which is not at all touristy but has more restaurants and services available.

I loved San Gimignano but would not think it an ideal base for a week to see the region. The Val d'Orica is more convenient in my opinion for taking day trips of the region.

I need to correct a few errors in Crazy4travels post. I've stayed in an apartment in Monticchiello and can definitely attest to the fact that there are services in this town - a small alimenteri (grocery store), a bakery, a butcher store, an ATM, two restaurants and a bar/cafe, along with a couple of other shops. Nevertheless, while we loved this little town and would absolutely go back for another stay, I'm not sure it's entirely appropriate for someone with small children. I would recommend something a bit bigger, either Pienza or San Quirico D'Orcia. We really loved SQ - it had a lovely non-touristy feel to it, the park is beautiful and the people very friendly.

thank you so much for the great information. Aside from the property recommended by Tiller in Pienza there seems to be almost nothing else IN TOWN as far as apartment rentals. I'll take a look at SQ as well. Any thoughts on basing in Siena?

Castellina-In--Chianti would be very nice,with numerous shops and restaurants

GWT

Sorry...did not mean to mislead Ani. We did walk around town and had lunch there. Did not see the ATM or grocery. I do now recall a few things just outside the town gate which is likely where these establishments are located. It was during midday so perhaps they were closed for lunch. It was a very cute town and as I said before...breathtaking scenery surrounding it. I still found it a little small for my liking but again this is only my opinion and is in no way meant to deter you from staying there.

Here are my photos from my trip last year if you would like to see some of the towns in that region.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/crazy4travel/main?view=1

Ani:

I had a very difficult time myself finally deciding on accomodations when choosing our location in val d'orcia. I think I must have researched every available rental including hotels that met our needs for comfort in accomodating 2 adults, 2 daughters, fit the budget, and was situated in town convenient to use as a base. We did finally split up our 11 days in Tuscany between Pienza, S.Gimmy countryside, and Lucca, just so that most places we wanted to visit were less than an hour's drive from our base. In the val d' orcia (my favorite) I looked at staying in Monticchiello, San Quirico, Montepulciano, and Pienza. Almost at the last minute I changed our original plans to Pienza and was pleased. We did not get to visit all the sights on our list in the four days we were there, but we took a leisure pace. And yes, choices for apts in Pienza are slim pickings. I liked having the large grassy walled courtyard, very private (at Giardino Segreto) Most of the other renters were Italians on vacation to visit Pienza! Siena is a popular base and I would have been happy spending more than a day there, very busy, lots of people, but fun. It's different from Val d'Orcia. To me the landscapes around Pienza are almost too beautiful for words. Having said that, there are more apts in Montepulciano. www.appartamentialpoggiolo.it These are very nice. There are many reviews on Slowtravel.com. Good luck,
Tiller

Ani:

Should have been, www.slowtrav.com

Tiller

I agree with Tiller as we also split our stay between San Gimignano and Val d'orica and found that to be quite convenient. It made for shorter driving days.

Siena is a large town and would not be my choice with traffic and parking issues.

Hi! If you look into Montepulciano definitely check out www.politianapts.com. we are staying there in 2 weeks for our honeymoon.. Well reviewed on slowtrav.com

We also stayed in Pienza at Il Giardino Segreto. Tiller is right. The pictures don't do it justice. The garden area is a little haven away from the touristy town. The only thing I would add is that it does not have it's own parking which we were concerned about. It turned out not being a problem. We always found parking nearby.
There actually are some other apartments for rent in Pienza which you may find listed here http://nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/indexing.html (just click on holiday house in the left hand index.)
We found Montichiello a little too quiet for our tastes although it's a very pretty village.

Thanks again for all of the great responses. I'm leaning towards Montepulciano right now-apartamenti al poggio, with Il Giardina a close second.
Looked into the politician in Mont. but they dont have a garden-which I really want with the kiddos.

Ani I agree about the Politian. We stayed there last September and it was beautiful but we felt we really missed out not having a garden to sit out and have lunch or just sip wine. You will love Montepulciano.

Ani - I have stayed at the Poggiolo apts. in Montelpuciano and highly recommend it. The owners, two sisters, could not have been more kind, friendly and helpful and the gardens would be beautiful in warm weather. I was there in the fall, so not really garden weather. The views from the apts' windows is just breathtaking. I had a little balcony with a wood grill and also a lovely woodburning fireplace for a cozy, romantic evening. Loved Pienza too! My mouth waters every time I think about my wonderful lunch there in the little town square - grilled pecorino w/proscuitto. You will love the Val d'Orcia!

Barb-we will be there the last week in March. Would our weather (temps) be better if we were in Pienza?

Ani - just wanted to make sure you're aware that Montepulciano is one very steep hill town. I'm in decent enough shape, but I'm not sure I'd want to shlep up and down that looong hill with kids in a backpack (or pushing a stroller).