What can you tell me about Sinalunga?
 

Plans continue to evolve (in case this doesn't quite jibe with past recent question). As I've been interested in a Tuscany visit, trying to explain why, my wife went with me to the current Tuscan set movie... you know which one. Anyway, later after she finally looked away from the Tuscany real estate websites, we decided that maybe we'd spend a solid week in Tuscany and another in Venice. Just ingrain some smaller area on our brains for awhile.

So, the Tuscany bit seems the trickiest. We want to stay in a self-catering place in a hill town, not a agriturismo 9as beautiful as that could be) and not a city. It's appealing the idea of stepping out into the evening heading for a restaurant, without the driving, parking... and actually seeing regular people doing their thing along the way.

We also thought it would be nice if this theoretical town or village afforded at least the option of train travel, although I think we'll also get a car for the Tuscany portion. Just be nice not to be bound to it everyday. Finally, a town not in the Top 10 Tuscany books seems like a good idea. Not sure why, it just does.

So, we're thinking Sinalunga. We saw online a very nice little cottage with possibilities. Reasonable and in town. Then came the questions, since there's really so little said about Sinalunga (other than about one hotel near town). So, if you're still with me, here are the questions:

1) Trenitalia and two different mapping sites show a train station in town. Is this right? Is there a station within walking distance of the center? Or is out 7 miles from town as Montepulciano's seems to be?

2) What's the general size of the town, comparatively speaking? Big enough for a couple of restaurants, grocery, time to walk around a bit? We plan to save a couple of days for doing a whole lot of nothing! Adding to this, any recommendations for these? And, maybe a uhmm... gelato place? :-"

3) What's the parking situation like?

4) Silly question, but just in general, did you like the town? It's hard to gauge from reading. I see trip reports with "then we went to Sinalunga, then we went..." or "We stayed just outside Sinalunga, which we used as a base to go to...". I can see on the map it's conveniently located, but we're looking forward to becoming part of the landscape too for a bit.

What do you think?

The question is surely a bit too long and probably too specific, but I'll give it a top anyway.

Sinalunga is about the same size as Chiusi. The train station is in the middle of town like the map shows, but it's on the slower-than-already-slow DMU train line between Chiusi and Siena (DMU = diesel multiple unit -- an overgrown subway car). I think it's also on the private train line (LFI?) that goes to Arezzo.

I've been *through* Sinalunga but I've never been *to* Sinalunga so I can't really give you much information about the town itself, other than it seemed like a standard small town, but with enough modern conveniences so that it doesn't seem like you're in East Nowhere.

Dear Clifton,

If I were you, I'd rethink the Tuscany portion of your trip and FORGET about relying on trains while in Tuscany. The ONLY way to do Tuscany is by car and I PROMISE you, you WON'T regret spending the extra money.

I posted this awhile ago: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34449463 and you should take advantage of this very valuable piece of advice. I've been practically everywhere in Tuscany and my heart remains in Chianti. All of Tuscany is gorgeous but Chianti is tops. Unless you plan to return over and over again, I'd base myself here and explore outwards.

You didn't say what time of year or your budget but I can tell you I toured and photographed this property, which is located right in the center of tiny Castellina in Chianti. http://www.tuscany.net/squarcia/index.html As much as I love the

(Sorry about that. It posted while I was in the middle of typing. I just love computers.)

The photos on their website are too "cool" for my liking and don't really let you see the cozy warmth of this place. For the money, you can't beat it and the location. It's not the place for me but I thought, if I had to do Tuscany on a budget, this is where I'd stay.

I think Sinalunga is too far south for the perfect "first" Tuscan experience. I adore Montefollonico and Montepulciano but they can't compare to the rolling, artfully designed, voluptuous hills of Chianti. You just have to trust me on this one, dear.

I don't think the town of Sinalunga has any charm at all compared to a number of the other towns/villages in Tuscany. We stayed at Locanda del Amorosa (I believe that's the spelling?????) in Sinalunga & THAT place was very nice. The town, however, was another story.

Well, thanks for all the feedback. It sounds like there's a consensus that Sinalunga isn't the best choice of base, at least on the visual front. ec, that was the hotel in the posts I kept reading, that never referred to the town. I guess I see why.

Initially, I thought train access would be nice. Train to Siena, have a bit of wine and not have to worry about driving. We'll save that experience for the walk up the road, rather than for another town.

And there's Chianti vs S. Tuscany. Honestly, when I first started researching, well before planning started, Chianti was one of the first places I dug into. And from all I've seen, it's beautiful. Yet, the photos have a certain familiarity, somehow. I think it's because the area I'm from has large rolling hills with a patchwork of vineyards and woods. The Ozarks/Missouri river valley is of course nothing like Chianti. I will say though, when I see the uniformity of the photos from the Val d'Orcia or the Crete Seinese, I feel like here... here is another world, someplace unique, someplace like I have never seen. All in our personal perspective, I think, but it's a place that's captured any imagination and my attention. Thank you for your terrific advice. I will see to it we explore that area you think so highly of, and still I think I'll find us a temporary home somewhere there in the south. (ps, plus I loved seeing her eyes light up at the sight of those views on film, and look forward to her reaction when the view is "live")

Clifton, as a very high-end (meaning "big bucks") photographer, I can honestly tell you there isn't a movie yet that has captured the true Tuscany. There are numerous reasons why and they're all too technical and boring. There aren't that many still photographs that come very close, either. Lord knows I've tried. Much can be said about film, lenses, multi-changing color temperatures, and so on. So, until you see for yourself, you haven't come close to seeing Tuscany.

I've been to Missouri several times and I've been to Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Yes, there are some great views and vistas in our beautiful country. But, Tuscany still stands alone and Italy's got her.

I could easily hype Chianti to death. I may already have. It's best to say no more. You've already been given top-shelf advice.

Here we go - I respectfully disagree w/ NYC FoodSnob. I think the Ozarks, AZ, The Grand Canyon, and MANY other places in the US are more scenic than Tuscany and/or Chianti. In my mind, no one has come close to capturing the awesomeness of the Grand Canyon, for example. To tell you the truth, I was a little disappointed in Tuscany & Chianti. Don't get me wrong. I really liked the areas & loved a lot of the small villages, but the scenery was not quite as great as I had anticipated. Once again, I enjoyed the areas, but sometimes too much hype makes for disappointment.

We're not going anywhere. ec, before you "respectfully disagree" with me make sure you read and comprehend what's written first. I never said Chianti was "more scenic" than anything else. I said it "stands alone." You are free to interpret these words any way you want as long as you don't put words in my mouth that I did not say. That's disrespect.

Clifton, the NYTimes home page has a special feature on Tuscany Destinations. You may want to check it out.

Here's the URL for the NYT article. You have to register at the NYT site, but it's easy and free:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/05/travel/05lafoce.html

Thanks guys for sharing th NY Times URL. The accompanying pics are very much what my mind has always projected as "Tuscany", right or wrong.

I think I've a line on a few possibilities for apartments in the Val D'Orcia region after considerable digging, and after de-railing the train idea. So far I've located apartments "with views" from the walls of Montalcino and Montepulciano (both big enough to offer some evening variety, I hope. Then again, we have long kept coming back to this old bookmark of ours from way back, www.lagrancia.com, for apartments in the village of Montisi. Not sure if the village is big enough to keep one occupied for several nights, but maybe...

Again, you all have been very informative!