dkrause

My sister and I will be traveling to Italy next May and want to spend 4-5 nights in the Tuscany region and take a few day trips. We will be renting a car, we prefer to stay at a villa or farmhouse in the countryside. Our main purpose is to wine, dine and relax while seeing the area. I am looking for suggestions on places to stay and favorite day trips.

bobthenavigator

Look at Fattoria Tregole and Terre di Nano.

zoecat

I really enjoy staying in the area south of Siena and near Pienza. I have found it to be very central for exploring many towns/villages and sights within a 5 minute to 1.5 hour drive. The countryside is, IMO, the most beautiful in Tuscany. May is perfect- great weather, everything is green, not crowded and the daylight hours are long. I have made many trips to the area and will continue to return.

Two of my favorite guidebooks to point me in the right direction for day trips in the area are Rough Guide Tuscany & Umbria and the Insight Guide Tuscany. Some of my favorite towns are-

Pienza
Montepulciano
San Quirico d'Orcia
Castelmuzio
Montisi
Monticchiello
Montefalconico
Castiglione d'Orcia
Rocco d'Orcia
Montalcino
Sorano
Pitigliano


Here is a link to some of my favorite drives in the area-

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=3...,79.013672&z=4


I like to stay here, a lovely agriturismo located just outside of Pienza-

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/


Here are a few more choices to stay. All are well located-

http://www.santamariapienza.it/index.php?lang=ing

http://www.agriturismocasalpiano.it/index.html

http://www.cretaiole.it/index.en.php
(Excellent location)

http://www.cretedisiena.com/Casa_Picchiata/english.htm
(Excellent location)

http://www.terredinano.com/pages_eng...o_toscana.aspx

http://www.lafonte.toscana.it/2006/ita/
(Excellent location)

http://www.agriturismosangallo.com/ENG/home.html

http://www.tobruk.it/agriturismo.php?lingua=en
(Incredible views and a beautiful property)

http://www.casafrati.toscana.nu/
(Well priced)

http://www.lupaia.com/location.html
(A beautiful B&B located in the valley below Montepulciano)

http://www.lafoce.com/
(Beautiful apartments/houses/villa/property- very special)

http://www.lacasadiadelina.com/index...t&id=9&lang=en
(A small, lovely B&B located within the small, lovely town of Monticchiello)

http://www.lemaribelle.it/intro.en.php
(3 apartments located in Monticchiello)

If none of the above works for you, consider searching these two websites-

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

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...cany/valdorcia


Enjoy your trip!

zoecat

It looks like my link to the driving map didn't work. I'll try to figure out why and repost.

zoecat

I forgot to add-

If you can, try to spend more than 4-5 days.

Also, if you enjoy countryside walks/hikes, there are many lovely "white"(dirt) roads and tractor paths throughout the area that offer rewarding and beautiful wanderings.

dkrause

Thank you so much for all of the information and suggestions! I will check into these sites.

Henry

dkrause,
This might help http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/hs_planning.htm

palatino82

We loved the San Savernano. It is well placed fairly close to the A1 in between Florence and Orvieto.

http://www.agriturismosavernano.com/

It is about 30 min east of Greve in Chianti. If you go to Greve, you should definitely have lunch at limola - I think that's the name - high on a hill outside of Greve with a beautiful view and excellent food.

mamcalice

palatino82, are you referring to Ristoro di Lamole? It is a wonderful restaurant - at the highest point in Tuscany - with amazing views from the terrace and excellent food. We enjoyed dinner on the terrace and, along with the food, had a marvelous sunset.

returntoyourseat

This is a year old post but what great information. I am having lunch at Ristoro di Lamole.....I ran onto this post because I have lost a link from a few years ago and four of us are going to Italy in September. I am looking for this wonderful hotel in the middle of Tuscany that sits in the middle of the most beautiful country side. Of course that sounds like a million places in Tuscany, doesn't it. Thanks again for the information.

michele_d

I second Fonte Bertusi. Darling little apartments in one larger villa. Very Tuscan feeling...and the breakfasts they make for you are to die for. (Note to self, either go on diet before going there or bring along bigger pants for when you leave there).