Ingrid

My family will be in Tuscany for almost 10-15 days next summer. Thus far we are planning at least 3 days in Florence and 2-3 days in Siena. We thought we would like to pick one other area at which to stay to use as a base for the remaining areas of Tuscany. Would you be kind enough to recommend another area? Right now I am thinking of somewhere outside of Cortona. BOB, please comment as you seem to have pretty specific opinions on this subject. Thank you in advance...

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

For Ingrid and others, Although Cortona <BR>gets the press based on the books it is <BR>not the best location to tour parts of <BR>Tuscany. I prefer 2 other base camp locations---the area NW of Siena near <BR>San Gimignano and Colle val d' Elsa is <BR>hard to beat, but my real favorite is <BR>south of Siena in the Val d' Orcia. <BR>I find the villages of Montepulciano, <BR>Pienza, Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni and <BR>even Asciano to be more authentic and <BR>less traveled. There are several good <BR>agriturismo farms in this area and also <BR>some well priced small hotels. We plan <BR>to return to this area next spring to <BR>explore in depth. You could also split <BR>the geographic distance and stay near <BR>Sinalunga---a good base to include Cortona and parts of Umbria.

italytraveler

Would you be willing to share a couple of your favorite agriturismo farms in the Val d'Orcia? <BR> <BR>Grazie

Steve the Guide

I have been last week at "Il Poggio" agriturismo, 20 minutes by car from Pienza in a place called Celle sul Rigo. <BR>I just can tell you that the location is fantastic, beautiful housefarm, and excellent food.See www.borgodelpoggio.it

Sebastian Ciotti

To Bob the Navigator: <BR>Hi Bob, we are spending 5 weeks in a villa in Porto Santo Stephano, using it as a base for day trips and longer trips as well. We would value your opinion as to this location. Leaving on Friday Sept 29th. <BR>Thanks in advance

K. Marie

I have been following this discussion with interest. After returning from Venice/Florence March 1 (and disappointed by the snow), I'm belatedly planning a group trip to Tuscany for September or early October for apx. 6-12 people and have been looking at the Parker print catalog and site seeing nice ones get booked up quickly. I'm looking for personal recommendations of conveniently located villas, up to $650per person for a week, with a pool and nice view, good kitchen, laundry, decent mattresses, and preferably a lot of privacy (especially in terms of not sharing the pool). Also, what are the odds of truly lousy weather in late September/early October? We are food/cooking, wine, and art lovers looking to create the memory of the vacation of a lifetime. Any tips greatly appreciated.

Rex

K. Marie<BR><BR>Truly lousy weather? Well, it COULD happen, but not the three times I have been to Northern Italy in the last two years for fall (Sep 99, Oct 99, Sep 00).<BR><BR>But a villa CAN be a place where nighttime temperature can drop lower than you might suppose. The altitude can be a relevant factor, but no less important would be is the central heat turned on for the winter? (And how will you pay for energy consumption of the furnace - - which is FREQUENTLY "extra").<BR><BR>I rented a villa in Ambra (vaguely near Siena) in June 98 (20-27, to be exact) - - and we had a "cool-ish" week. The owner had turned off the central heat for the summer, and laughed when we asked about how it might be turned back on. To his credit, he said that there would be no charge for any firewood we wanted to use (this is no joke). I got pretty good at building a fire before bed time that almost lasted all night long (enough coals to easily re-light in the morning). The fireplace was enormous - - we put 5 foot lengths in it with almost no problem - - I don't know if it actually "kept the house" warm during the night - - but I got it going for breakfast almost every morning, and it was the favorite place to gather!<BR>

elizabeth

We rented from Classic Tuscan Homes a couple of years ago and were very pleased with the experience. The managers - Rupert and Donatella - are terrific and the properties they represent are lovely (and seemingly all well within your price range).<BR><BR>Here's their web site:<BR><BR>http://www.awts.com/tuscany/index2.htm<BR><BR>BTW - In researching villas in Italy I found that the Parker Company's rates were considerably higher for the same property - it pays to shop around once you've identified a villa you're interested in.

Stewart

Have seen several folks mention http://www.knowital.com for Tuscany. They are not an agency, but feature hundreds of properties (also hotels and agritourism's) with direct contact to owners. Hope you find something.