Jeanne,

You asked if SanQuirico has many good restaurants....well, we love the town and stay there often, but always leave it to eat...you will find places there, but, to us, they can't compare with the quality of what is found in the neighboring towns like Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Monticchiello....if the night time driving is a concern, consider a long lunch..that may make you feel more comfortable about the drive back...

We're generally not "long lunch" people. From what I've read, though, we may not be able to resist at some of the restaurants/trattorias in Tuscany.

If anything, your comments would lead me to give stronger consideration to the hotel in Pienza. I hear the restaurant choices are good there. On the other hand, we wouldn't mind driving 15 or 20 min. after dinner, so I think we should still have abundant choices regardless of where we stay.

Bob:
Had an email from del Capitano. They don't have twin rooms but will add "a single" to a canopy-bedded Jr suite for the same price. It looks lovely. In fact, I'm just the tiniest bit concerned that it looks almost too "romantic". Would two mid-50's ladies feel like we're crashing a party?

The other option that meets our criteria is the Rutiliano outside Pienza. It's not nearly as glamorous, but their rates are low enough that we could book separate rooms, which is always nice.

I'm not concerned about which city. It looks to me like we can drive to lots of choices within a short drive of either location.

It is hard to go wrong anywhere along that S-146 corridor. Montalcino has more places to eat but is not quite as centro. Cane & Gato is too long not to stay in Siena--it may be midnite and you will be stuffed.

I agree. Cano e Gato will have to wait for another trip. We've pretty well settled on Pienza. It's central enough for daytrips and is close enough for dinner in Montalcino, Montepulciano, etc.

I'll start a new thread soon for suggested daytrips. Thanks. J

Don't forget to stop by Monticchiello. We had a great dinner at Taverna di Moranda -- about 90 Euro with a bottle of wine. A recommendation I got from this site that I'm passing along. ((b))