We (my husband and I) are looking forward to the "Tuscan experience". We love wine, vineyards, olive groves, Italy, restaurants, cooking classes, wine tasting, maybe a chef cooking for us, walking while taking in the sights and atmosphere of Italy. We have 7 days to spend in Tuscany. We will rent our car in La Spezia and returning it in Orvieto. I have looked into spending 3 nights in/around Volterra/San G (use as a home base) and then 3-4 nights in/around Montepulciano (as home base) -maybe a night in Orvieto at the end since we have to turn in the car and catch a train to Rome. I have looked at airbnbs, hotels, b&bs in the walls (and out) and agriturissmos (rooms and apts) out in the countryside. I am now thoroughly confused as to what we should do. We have been to Italy several times and love it. I just want our trip to Tuscany to be one that allows us to explore and experience it. Any suggestions for where to stay and accommodations are appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1166 posts
I think some lovely agriturismos have one week stays, but you never know until you email them and ask.
Try cretaiole.com - Isabella is phenomenal.
borgoargenina.com - Elena cooks with her guests, and eating her homemade breakfast spreads on the patio overlooking the vineyards is an ultimate experience !
Posted by
11156 posts
Relais Vignale in Radda in Chianti has vineyards behind it. Pretty small town, walkable.
Also look, in addition to towns you mentioned, Psnzano, Castellina, Greve, Pienza. You will find the experiences you want in all of these places.
Posted by
Texas
31 posts
Howdy fellow Texan,
We are planning a trip to Florence next year. A travel agent that my wife knows suggested that Sienna is a great place to stay rather than in Florence proper. It is fairly close to Volterra. Even if you don't stay in Sienna, it might be worth a visit.
Posted by
76 posts
Totally agree with the Relais approach. We often stay at the Relais Villa L'Olmo in Impruneta https://www.relaisvillaolmo.com/ which is still a functioning winery and olive oil business as well, just outside of Florence with easy access to the rest of Tuscany. Totally agree with the comment about visiting Ponzano as well as Greve. We used the Relais for our base for our entire time in Tuscany. It's really not that big. In addition, when we went into Florence for one day, we just used bus tickets and joined the town's high school students on the ride in which meant we had no parking issues and a delightful local experience.
Posted by
Portland, OR
83 posts
For your stay in/around Montepulciano, I would suggest taking a look at either of these:
Just outside the city walls is Fonte Martino Guest House (https://www.fontemartino.com). I came across it last year and have stayed once last September, this past February, and will be there again this October. The owners are American and created something really special. They are in the process of building 2 more suites and installing their pool. I stayed in their completed suite – The Montepulciano Suite. When I was there in February, they said that their new suites and pool will be completed in April. I would check out their TripAdvisor reviews for other impressions (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g194833-d15616850-Reviews-Fonte_Martino_Guest_House_Estate-Montepulciano_Tuscany.html)
Inside the walls, look at Charming Homes Montepulciano (https://www.charminghomemontepulciano.com/en/). I personally stayed in Alberto57 and it was wonderful. Very clean and perfectly located along the main Corso (main shopping street). Alberto (the host) is a wonderful person as well. There are great little cafes for morning breakfast and Caffe Poliziano, an amazing 150 year old art-deco café, is only a short walk up the corso.
Hope this helps you out! Have a great trip!!! -TJ