We stayed in northern Tuscany in 2004, and are visiting again in 2006 for 3 nights. I'm trying to find a place where we can have a kitchen and a swimming pool--we have 2 teenagers. We want to be near Montalcino, Pienza, and San Gimignano. We'd also like to stay under 250 Euros per night, and many places make you rent for a week. Any advice would be very appreciated.

>>We want to be near Montalcino, Pienza, and San Gimignano.<<

I believe you meant to say San Quirico - San Gimignano is more than an hour by car from Montalcino...

We stayed in a spacious villa apartment near Montalcino at €460/week; we were three but there was room for at least one more. No swimming pool.

Where did you stay?
(I meant OR near San Gimginano)
Thanks

http://www.larasina.it

We had the use of the two-story building and terrace shown on the website. Kitchen, living room and bath on the lower floor; two bedrooms and bath on the upper. Windows and terrace faced east - San Quirico appeared on the horizon.

It looks great, but I can't find any prices or email contact on the website. How much did you pay? Did you have to stay 7 nights? Was there a pool?
Thanks.

sorry, i see you said already there was no pool...
Did you have to call to make the reservation?

Hi Dina,
We stayed in Borgo Grondaie last novemer. It's about 2km from the city walls. It is a hotel, but they have cottage style rooms. We stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment. for abt 120E. It was a very pleasant place, with friendly staff and the property was gorgeous even in november and their web-site says they have a pool.
We did n't use the pool though (it was november).

dina - We corresponded by email (in Italian, but we subsequently learned that Paola speaks fairly good English) and then made our reservation. We did not have to stay 7 nights - that was of our choosing.

On the website go to "Holiday Home" then to "@" and you'll make contact at [email protected]. We also used [email protected]

>>How much did you pay?<<

"Il miglior prezzo che posso farvi è di 66 euro a notte (462 euro è la spesa totale per i 7 pernottamenti)."

Thanks, Tuck. I sent an email.

ssachida- your place looks great, too. I sent them an email, too. Thanks!

dina4,
Try La Crociona http://www.lacrociona.com/ they rent for less than a week and have a pool. Rates were less than 100 a night for a one bedroom and just a little more for a two bedroom.

It is about 3 kilometers from Montalcino. If you want more information e-mail me.

Henry,
There aren't a lot of photos of the apts on the website. How nice or basic was the place? I'm so spoiled by all the photos some websites have, it's hard when there aren't many.
Thanks.

dina4,
I see the apartments as comfortable as opposed to elegant but if you are into antiques you might have a different opinion. A two hundred year old armoire with hand worked metal bands is either a place to hang your clothes or a fine piece of furniture depending on what you like.

If you send me your e-mail I can send you some pictures.

I was very happy at La Crociona.

Try Pocciacolle farmhouse, on a hill facing San Gimignano. Rustic, lots of character, sweet young owner Stefano Bartali, nice swimming pool and I believe the price will fit your requirments.
http://www.poggiacolle.com/farmhouse-tuscany.html

We stayed here 10 years ago. It was very fine, although the sitting area was basic.

http://www.agriturismo.regione.tosca...rch2e?code=720