Tuscany - resources to find accomodations
 

Have been reviewing the past couple of months in Tuscany forum posts here, and have sent out abt 15 emails for accomodation requests. Let's see what happens. Just wondering if anyone has a good resource to view CURRENTLY AVAILABLE accomodations, rather than email each independently - here's what we're looking for:

B&B / Agrotourism / Villas - something w/ some Tuscan character but not too remote so we can go to dinner in towns and not worry abt a long drive back.

Dates: 3 nts, Oct 5 - 8 (yeah, we're not good advance planners)

Couple & 23 yr old son - Peace Corps volunteer in Africa whom we haven't seen in a year!

Would be nice to have reputable restaurant on site for at least one of the nights

Montalcino / Montepulchiano / Pienza area
(Spending 3 days in Rome before, 2-3 in Cinque Terre after so this is our "take it easy" time)

This is the last of our plans I need to finalize - want to move onto planning my packing! Thanks for any insights.........

Budget? In town or out of town?

Budget: finding triples are more of a challenge. We're fine with an extra bed in a double room but finding that's an American notion, not always European. Would like to stay under euro $200 but that's not a def budget limit, just a guide.

Oh, and wld prefer not central town location, but not far out. As said before "something w/ some Tuscan character but not too remote so we can go to dinner in towns and not worry abt a long drive back"

There are several sites which list accomodations in those areas. The sites I'm listing usually have contact info to the actual hotel/b&b/agristurismo.

http://www.prolocomontalcino.it/

http://www.portalepienza.it/

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

http://en.agriturismo.it/tuscany/siena/index.jsp

You might think of trying the hotel search function on Tripadvisor.com. It has an option for B&Bs and alternative types of lodging, etc. and shows availability for the dates you input, although you can also search regardless of availability.
Tredy.com might also be helpful, but you'd have to contact the establishments individually. However, I found they reply quite promptly.