We will be going to Tuscany this fall and want to rent a villa. We want to be somewhat near Florence, but not in the city. We want to be near trains, but will have a rental car. We also want to be able to walk to restaurants, shops, etc. Any suggestions about where to stay in Tuscany that will be central for day trips?
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
320 posts
Rhonda: Our favorite Tuscan village is Panzano - located exactly between Florence and Siena on the S222 (also known as the Chianti Road). It is a nice small hilltop village with a market day on Sunday morning and some nice restaurants, Italy's most famous butcher and a great wine bar. We rent Villa Il Palagio (www.infochianti.com). It is a wonderful villa just about 1 kilometer from Panzano. The views are tremendous. Panzano does not have rail access but you can easily catch the SITA bus for the 30km ride to Florence or Siena. Have fun.
Posted by
eagle, idaho, usa
6 posts
My personal favorite is in a non-touristy area in Tuscany in the Casentino Valley, 45 minutes northeast of Florence. There is a bed and breakfast, Dei Mori La Massa, in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. You will need a rental car to get there and explore the surrounding areas. The hosts are very friendly, and will help you plan your day. Easy day trips to Arezzo, Cortona, and Sienna. You can view the property at www.lamassa.tuscany.it
Good luck with your search.
Posted by
eagle, idaho, usa
6 posts
My personal favorite is in a non-touristy area in Tuscany in the Casentino Valley, 45 minutes northeast of Florence. There is a bed and breakfast, Dei Mori La Massa, in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. You will need a rental car to get there and explore the surrounding areas. The hosts are very friendly, and will help you plan your day. Easy day trips to Arezzo, Cortona, and Sienna. You can view the property at www.lamassa.tuscany.it
Good luck with your search.
Posted by
eagle, idaho, usa
6 posts
My personal favorite is in a non-touristy area in Tuscany in the Casentino Valley, 45 minutes northeast of Florence. There is a bed and breakfast, Dei Mori La Massa, in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. You will need a rental car to get there and explore the surrounding areas. The hosts are very friendly, and will help you plan your day. Easy day trips to Arezzo, Cortona, and Sienna. You can view the property at www.lamassa.tuscany.it
Good luck with your search.
Posted by
Nampa, Idaho, USA
21 posts
I agree with Norma about Dei Mori La Massa. It is a hidden secret, and definitely one to check out.
So close to other fabulous hill towns, yet not the tourists you encounter in the larger cities. Would definltely recomment this.
Posted by
Ballwin
833 posts
Dei Mori La Massa sounds like a nice place being in that region. I am biased toward Arezzo because I've spent the most time there and that's where my relatives are, but it is a nice small city. Very Tuscan, good history and a beautiful piazza. Easy to take the train into Florence or Cortona or where ever you'd like to go, but great to have a rental car to access the beautiful Italian hills. If you stay in the center there are great restaurants and shopping! You won't find a villa in the center, more apartments or hotels, but if you want to look out towards some of the towns surrounding Arezzo (Castiglion Fibocchi etc) there will be villas you can rent, I'm sure.