Visiting the Tuscany region in early September and have decided to stay in Chianti. I have read so many reviews in travel forums, and researched so many "best home bases" that my head is spinning! I don't know why I can't make a decision. With the exception of Lucca, all of the towns I want to visit start with Greve and southward. I am looking for a mid to upscale type of accomodation that when we return in the evening after dinner, maybe there is a small bar we can sit out the terrace and have a nightcap or glass of wine before bed. Like my grandma always used to admonish me, I am looking for someone to make up my mind for me :)
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16235 posts
Im assuming you will have a car. Take a map of Tuscany (even Google Maps or Freemaptools.com) and plot the towns you want to visit.
Then find accommodations that is central to all (or to most). In particular try to stay within a short drive from the freeways. The freeways in that area are the Siena-Florence and the Siena-Bettolle-Perugia. If you stay between San Casciano and Siena along the freeway (for example Colle Val d'Elsa area) you are within 90 min to 2 hour drive to all of Tuscany and most of Umbria. If you don't have a car and relying on public transport, you should stay in the city, either Florence or Siena.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
I haven't been back since they remodeled and adding multiple swimming pools but we loved the Mulino di Quercegrossa about five miles north of Siena on Hwy 222 (The Chianti Road). It had a bar/cafe with a terrace and a restaurant. It's in the middle of the country but very handy to the towns of Chianti.