Two couples going to Italy next year, probably late April/early May. We are interested in finding a base to explore Tuscany and take day trips to surrounding towns, as well as Siena and Florence. Will most likely take a train to Florence and maybe Siena but drive ourselves everywhere else. We want to stay either two weeks in the same villa or change locations after a week if that's advisable. I am looking for a good "base" location and have found this villa:

https://www.rentvillas.com/Property-...rtaldo-Tuscany

It is convenient to a train station and seems to be convenient to visiting other towns in Tuscany. Can someone more familiar with the area tell me if this would be a good base? We won't be doing a lot of walking as one in the group can't walk long distances, but we are interested in a nice relaxing vacation with great food and wine.

Thank you in advance for any and all insight and other location/villa suggestions are welcomed.

It's 35 km or about 20 miles from Siena- so that would be a great station to pick car up at and train there from where - Rome? Or Pisa? Milan?

If from Rome or Milan book those train tickets as soon as possbile at Acquista il biglietto con le nostre offerte - Trenitalia - Italian State Railways - for neat discounted tickets. can always get on trains same day but full-fare can be so much more expensive. For lots on trains and what to expecdt check www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com. Even if renting a car if going to Florence on day trips take the bus from Siena area.

I'm thinking about flying into Florence and picking up a car there. We can fly SFO/CDG/FLR on Air France. More expensive than Rome or Milan but we eliminate the 4-5 hour train ride.

I hate to sound repetitive because I have given this advice a few times recently but we just got back from Italy last month. We spent 10 days in Tuscany before ending up in Venice. In Tuscany we spent a week here www.chianticortine.it then moved a whopping 20 miles north and spent 3 days at Hotel Davanzati in Florence. I highly recommend both places, especially the Tuscan villa. It is between Florence and Siena right in the middle of Chianti Classico country. A rental car is a necessity but it is an easy and scenic drive to many hill towns and wine centers . San Gimigiano (sp) is about 15 minutes away. There are many Chianti wineries nearby and Montalcino and Montepulciano are not that far.This was our second time staying there and we can't wait to go back again.

I appreciate the info but what villa did you stay at? The website shows many.

OK smart to fly into Florence and it is easy to drive out of airport without venturing into Florence itself. If fares were cheaper to Pisa's International Airport that too is a good place to pick up a car.

This time we stayed in the Solaito, a two story, two bedroom building with a private patio. We had booked the smaller one since it was just the two of us but this one was available so they gave us an upgrade. On a previous trip we stayed in the Torre Vecchio which is the B&B section. Beautiful place.

>>> We want to stay either two weeks in the same villa or change locations after a week if that's advisable.<<<

For the first week, I would look at somewhere south of Siena in the Val d'Orcia area.

Thank you, kybourbon, I will do that.