monica71

I am stuck with deciding which one of these villages to spend 3 night in. Eveyone has given me wonderful options for hotels and now i'm stuck with which village.I'm looking for a place that has restaurants within walking distance. Since we will be doing day trips we will want something close to relax and wind down from all the days driving and walking. Thank you for any help or suggestions. BTW....The hotels are the following:

San Quirico - Relais Palazzo Del Capitano
Pienza-Still not sure which one

Patrick

I've never spent a night in either, but have spent pretty much full days wandering both. It's a no lose situation, but I like the "feel" of Pienza more than that of San Quirico. Admittedly Pienza probably has more "tourists" so if that's an issue, you might prefer San Quirico.

StuDudley

Pienza is more "touristy", but it's that way because it's a very cute town. San Quirico is not as cute, but less touristy & probably a better place to experience life in a small Italian village. Both places have restaurants that will keep you well fed for 3 nights. I have visited the rooms & grounds of Capitano, and they are very nice. I have not visited hotels in Pienza. San Quirico might be a little better located, but these two towns are only 15 mins apart.

I'm biased because our closest friends have a second home in San Quirico, but even so, I prefer less touristy places where I feel like I'm having morning coffee, evening beer, dinner, and an after dinner stroll with the locals.

Either choise would be a great ones.

Stu Dudley

bobthenavigator

What Stu said !

Lorenzi

San Quirco. I found it to be very much more relaxing and laid back then Pienza. Each has their particular charm, beauty, history , art & landscape. But same as the other responses, so much less touristy. I found I was able to observe & participate more in the local culture in San Q then Pienza, primarily due to it being less touristy. I was engaged more frequently by Italians , even when they noticed me observing them they would make a point to ackowledge my presence positively or engage me in their activity. I found the shop keepers to be exteremly friendly in San Q., much like I have encountered in many parts of Italy. However in Pienza I encountered the opposite with a few disappointing experiences. With the amount of tourists flowing through Pienza the locals appear to have less patience with being more enaging or dealing with foreigners, not to say that there are not very nice people in Pienza and tons of tourists every day would stretch my civility. Just that the differnce struck me so much between Pienza & San Q . Overall I just found San Q. to be much more serene and charming with veryyyy nice people as compared to Pienza.

monica71

Seems like you are all leaning toward San quirico. I appreciate your feedback. I don't mind touristy so I would be ok with lots of people. Altough I would love the opportunity to be among locals. Since we will primarily be there at nights would Pienza be more charming than San Quirico or the same?

StuDudley

>> would Pienza be more charming than San Quirico or the same?<<

What is your definition of charming?

If you use my definition, and bob's, and Lorenzi's, then I think you know how we would vote.

Bricks & mortar aren't the only elements of charming, IMO.

Stu Dudley

Laidback

Stu,
Your friends wouldn't be the owners of Bella Casa, would they? We stayed at this charming village house in San Quirico last fall and really loved the house and the village.

StuDudley

>> Stu,
Your friends wouldn't be the owners of Bella Casa, would they? We stayed at this charming village house in San Quirico last fall and really loved the house and the village.<<

Yep - that's their place. How did you like their new garden??? They purchased most of their neighbor's yard to develop it.

The large oven pans and all the market baskets are from France - we purchased them on one of our trips, and since Bella Casa was our last destination, we left them with our friends.

Stu Dudley

Laidback

We sat in the garden every night after we had strolled to the square to have a look at the locals. It was a great place to relax after a day of touring. The close by internet cafe was a plus.Really enjoyed our stay.

helenhopehana

I have stayed at rhe Relais in Pienza and it was just nice. I vote for S Q becuase the shops have become non Italian acting in Pienza. However great to visit after 3

monica71

Thank you for your suggestions. I have e-mailed Palazzo del Capitano to see if they have any rooms available.