Where to stay in Tuscany?
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:14 AM
#2
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Beautiful town - San Gimignano.
It's funny. The first time that my wife and I went to SanG it was on a day trip from Florence. I saw the crowds in SanG, hated it. Couldn't wait to get out. Somehow my wife convinced me to give SanG a second try. We based ourselves out of the town for a week, staying in a 15th century building overlooking the town well. Loved it Loved it Loved it !!!!!!!!!!! It was so peaceful before 9:00 am (before the tour busses came in) and after 4:00 (when the crowds left). Great restaurants, wonderful winding lanes to walk thru, beautiful views of the countryside from the walls surrounding the town. I absolutely suggest San Gimignano.
It's funny. The first time that my wife and I went to SanG it was on a day trip from Florence. I saw the crowds in SanG, hated it. Couldn't wait to get out. Somehow my wife convinced me to give SanG a second try. We based ourselves out of the town for a week, staying in a 15th century building overlooking the town well. Loved it Loved it Loved it !!!!!!!!!!! It was so peaceful before 9:00 am (before the tour busses came in) and after 4:00 (when the crowds left). Great restaurants, wonderful winding lanes to walk thru, beautiful views of the countryside from the walls surrounding the town. I absolutely suggest San Gimignano.
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:18 AM
#3
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I found that the Tuscan landscape around San G to be the most beautiful. Climb the tallest tower of the city and watch the blood red sunset. The crowds will disappear in the evening, when the buses take them away...stroll a quiet town when they leave.
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:19 AM
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Not sure of your definition of a "great" villa, but I spent a week in Montepulciano and rented an apartment. It was great! I loved having a place to live for a week and enjoyed my many day trips via car. Montepulciano has a lot of nice small restaurants to enjoy in the evenings.
For information on my trip, go to my journals at http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/home.html and click on the 2004 Tuscany journal. I hope it will give you some ideas.
Best wishes on your marriage!
Monica
For information on my trip, go to my journals at http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/home.html and click on the 2004 Tuscany journal. I hope it will give you some ideas.
Best wishes on your marriage!
Monica
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:20 AM
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I second San G! We stayed for 4 days and absolutely fell in love with it. You'll find that a lot of people on these boards who didn't care for San G just visited it for a day. If you stay overnight within the walls, it's an entirely different experience. It's so small and cozy and is the very definition of a Tuscan hill town within walls. We stayed at L'Antico Pozzo.
Out of all of our trips to Italy, San G stands out as the best overall experience.
Out of all of our trips to Italy, San G stands out as the best overall experience.
Dec 9th, 2005, 11:40 AM
#8
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Stay in SIENA (Tuscany) and do a few day trips to the Cianti region, san Gimignano, etc. It is a university town so there is more action as far as restaurants, shopping, bars. The Piazza is one of the very best in Italy.We rented a farmhouse villa just outside the north wall of Siena in Oct. for 6 nights. Our day trips were to Luca, Pisa, Gave, Cianti region (wine tasting), SanG. I would also spend a few days in Florence. Don't forget to see the statue of DAVID.
Dec 9th, 2005, 04:52 PM
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I'm a little confused by what a "real town with real people" means. There are plenty of real people there - that's for sure, but every time I've visited (4 times) it was 90% or greater tourists - not locals. I think the OP should be aware that San G is perhaps the most "touristy" small town in Tuscany. You won't be observing "typical Italian small village life" there.
I would vote for Siena if you want some more "action", and perhaps the prettiest square (actually more of a cresent) in Italy.
Stu Dudley
I would vote for Siena if you want some more "action", and perhaps the prettiest square (actually more of a cresent) in Italy.
Stu Dudley
