remdog99

We will be in Tuscany for about 5 days in August. While we would prefer to stay at just 1 or 2 different agriturismo's, and do day-trips from there, our dilemma is this: we will undoubtedly be treating ourselves to great dining experiences nightly, and these will undoubtedly include a fair consumption of wine. If we have even as little as a 30 min. drive 'back home' on a dark, unfamiliar country road, we don't want to be doing so after a few good glasses of vino. Suggestions?

treplow

Stay in a city that has many restaurants to imbibe and do day trips from there, getting back in time for dinner. We did that stying in in Siena. Took day trips to S. Girminiano, Florence, Gubbio and several other places.

nytraveler

I would never attempt to drive home after a few good glasses ov vino even if I knew the roads - Italian drunk driving laws are stricter than in the US - and more than one glass will put you over the limit.

If you both want to drink for dinner then pick one town with a variety of restaurants - and do day trips form there - returning to the town before dinner.

Aramis

That makes three of us now.

Pick your city to match your primary interests. Do you want to see Southern Tuscany; Siena, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, etc. or do you want to see the Northwest; Pisa, Lucca, Volterra, San Gimignano more?

One thing to remember is that as a city's rail options and convenience improve, the ease with which you can get in and out of it by car will generally decrease. Siena is probably as big as you might want to get if you plan on day trips by car. Montepulciano would make a nice base for Southern Tuscany.

Woyzeck

We did it from Siena. Great city to visit in and of itself and a good base for several day trips.

Flame123

I think you need to make a choice - either stay in an agriturismo out of town and make your own simple dinners there in the evening with a bottle of wine, good cheese, etc. (and maybe have your main larger meal in midday which will undoubtedly also make the meal cheaper than in the evening). Or choose to stay inside one of the small towns where you can walk back and forth from your dinner.

I have done both and they both have their advantages and disadvantages. It all boils down to what is most important to you. In one of the places we stayed they offered a communal dinner one evening a week for all those staying there that were interested. We took it, and while it wasn't the absolute best meal we ever had, it was very good and allowed us both to eat and drink to our heart's content without worry about the drive back.

J62

I prefer to stay in one place and not move around myself. Since you plan to drink "a fair consumption of wine" then you should stay within walking distance or taxi distance of the restaurants you want to go to.

If designated driver is an option then the rest of the party can drink while he/she drives. Designated driver means no drinking, not taking a poll at the end of the meal to see who feels the least tipsy.

zeppole

I think the point of going to wine and farm country in Italy is to drink the wine, and to stay at a winery or farmhouse where wine is made and served with food grown on the property. It's just a whole diffferent experience from staying in a town in a hotel and ordering meals in a restaurant, and drinking wine made for retail. (Which you can do during lunch if you go town-hopping.)

Also, in August, I would want a place with a pool, in the scenic countryside. Not in a town.

You can use this "advance search" feature of website to search specfially for farmhouses with restaurants and pools. Many have reviews and ratings right on the site, or you can double check a place on venere and Tripadvisor for reviews.

http://en.agriturismo.it/

If you eat and drink where you sleep, you don't ever have to worry about driving home.

Unlike experiences posted above, the best meals I have had in Italy on than in private homes were in the places that I slept that offered dinner every night, cooked for the family as well as myself and my friends, and we drank wine made on the property. The meals are often much less expensive than restaurant meals.

If you book a property in August that offers meals, be sure to confirm they are cooking them during the entire time of your stay.

Dayle

remdog,

I've never stayed at an agritourismo, but we once stayed in a Chianti village so small that we were pretty much out in the countryside. San Sano, at the Hotel Residence San Sano which I recommend highly. They have a pool by the way and there is a family run trattoria in the village where we had dinner twice. It was excellent! Dinner is available also from the hotel upon advance request. Very good too and dining is outdoor in the lovely flower/kitchen herb garden under the witeria arbor. Wonderful!

During stays in Montalcino, Orvieto and Spello, I've done my hilltowns and sightseeing, then returned to the town for walk- to dinners with plenty of wine. Worked very well for me and no shortage of excellent restaurants in town.

One other point, you ask about moving around. It very much depends on where you want to visit vs. stay. We absolutely loved San Sano - but driving to the hillstowns we chose to visit from there got old by the 4th day. The Chianti roads are very windy and I (as the driver) got tired of backtracking each evening.

Plan your lodging choice carefully for shorter daily drives and you will be fine for 5 days. If you choose to visit towns further away than 1 hour - think about a move for those.

Have some Brunello for me. Buon viaggio!

Myer

All of our past European trips have been the type where we stay in one place 2-5 days and then move to another pre-planned destination.

Our upcoming (last part of June 2010) trip will be very different due to slightly advancing age (mid-sixties but active), some surgeries in the past year and more aches and pains.

We'll be based in Florence for 10 days at the same hotel located close to the train station. We will spend 4 days (and possibly a few evenings after returning from day trips) in Florence and the rest away. Of the 6 daytrips, two will be overnighters carrying a minimum in a small backpack.

We do not rent a car and my wife suffers from motion sickness. As a result, almost all (stress "almost") of our travelling will be done by train.

While we do enjoy the odd museum, we are really not "hard core" museum goers. We will pass on the Ufizzi (been twice years ago) and the only "must see" is the Accademia (been once many years ago).

If I close my eyes and picture myself in Florence this is what I see:
Myself in front of the unfinished sculptures at the Accademia with David in the background.
Proving to myself that I can still climb the Duomo (did it many, many years ago).
Two vosts to Piazzale Michaelangelo; one during the day and one for sunset (I don't know why but I keep picturing sunset on Delicate Arch (Arches NP) and Cathedral Rick (Sedona).
Walking up the Museo Bargello without advance tickets and just walking in.
Wandering the streets.
We still have that little coffee pot we bought in the Richard Genori garage store well over 25 years ago (does it still exist and where is it?).

Needless to say there will be a too detailed report.

Dayle

Myer,

I'm excited fro your and your wife. Hope you have a great time! I know you have worked hard to plan this.
Buon viaggio!

Myer

Dayle,

Thanks.

My daughter (married with a three and a half year old) told me a couple of days ago that she wants to go on one of my sight-seeing trips. I'm not sure if she's serious. She likes photography (very creative) and says she doesn't mind getting up early for a sunrise. Maybe she is serious.

I'll speak to her about it in the next couple of days. Maybe a highlights trip of what I've done. Maybe something different. Maybe wait until next year. Maybe try to squeeze it in before more aches and pains come.