We have five nights allocated for Tuscany and I can't decided on a town. We've stayed in Cortona and loved it but this trip we would like to base in the Val d'Orcia area. We would like a town that is somewhat lively at night with some restaurant choices. We would prefer staying outside the town center in a country setting but not a far drive from the town itself.
We've already visited most towns in the area but that was during the day.
Carole
Posts: 1341 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
Another vote for http://www.santantonio.it/ We stayed for a week in May of 2008. Loved it. Take advantage of the Wednesday eve dinner on site. It is a very convienient base for the nearby hill towns. Tim
Posts: 41 | Location: Chicago, USA | Registered: 29 May 2009
Sant Antonio was our first choice based on all the wonderful ST reviews and my correspondence with Nico but unfortunately we will not have a full week to spend in Tuscany. We had even considered possibly booking six nights and paying for seven but our dates fall on Tuesday or Wednesday to Monday so that was not an option. We use FF miles and had to book the flights that were available.
We are still considering Montepulciano but for some reason the last time we were there for a short day trip it seemed overly quiet and the streets were steeper than any of the other towns although that would not be a problem for us other than me huffing and puffing!
This is an overly ambitious trip and definitely not in the ST mode. Here's our itinerary:
Orvieto - 3 nights Tuscany - 5 nights Brussels - 2 nights with a day trip to Brugge which is on the "list". 10,000 FF miles will fly us from Florence to Brussels and then we can train into Paris. Paris - 3 nights Normandy - 3 nights (On DH's "list") One night on arrival at FCO and one night prior to departure at CDG
The planning has been a bit of a challenge and it does appear somewhat exhausting but I figure we better do it while we can. Hopefully, next trip we can take it slow with a week at Sant Antonio.
Posts: 1341 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
If the hills bother you, I won't suggest Montalcino but how about Pienza? Not sure about night life but there are plenty of restaurants in which to dine and it's pretty flat.
Originally posted by Kim: If the hills bother you, I won't suggest Montalcino but how about Pienza? Not sure about night life but there are plenty of restaurants in which to dine and it's pretty flat.
We lived in Pienza for the month of September some years ago. It is dead as a doornail at night. We really enjoyed our stay, but if you are looking for nightlife Pienza is not your place, but then again neither is the rest of Val d'Orcia unless I missed something. Its considerable charms lie in other areas. Carole, I also think that you might do better if you consider a hotel or B&B in town that does not require a weekly rental and gives you the opportunity to stroll out your door to take advantage of what little night life there is without getting in a car. I think Montepulciano offers the most lively night life of the major towns, but I could be wrong. We have never stayed overnight there.
I had considered Pienza but decided it was too small a town although we loved our day visit and the hills are not really an issue and nothing a little more gym time would alleviate.
We are not really into much nightlife other than a stroll and a nice dinner. We loved the feel of Cortona with many locals out and about for passagiatia and spending time in their beautiful piazza. There was a archery festival going on when we were there so it was probably even more lively than usual.
Carole
Posts: 1341 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
I haven't stayed there myself, but what about San Quirico d'Orcia? One of our ST-ers, Marian, had a nice visit there in 2006. Here is where her trip report begins with the part about San Quirico.
Roz, we love San Quirico. We stumbled upon it on one of our first visits to Tuscany and before I discovered ST. It was a Sunday afternoon and many locals were out and about. Bar Centrale was particularly interesting with the old Italian men playing cards in the side room with one standing guard probably to keep the women out!
Our next visit was during the week and it was lunch time and everything was pretty much closed up except for a restaurant or two. I have found that much of what you take away from a day visit to many towns just depends on the day of the week, time of day and what might or might not be going on at that particular time.
Carole
Posts: 1341 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
Carole, not we're you're looking and not a small town, but have you thought about staying in Siena? Chris and I always talk about doing that at some point...
My vote would be for Montepulciano... and I would highly recommendApartamenti al Poggiolo ... FABULOUS location right in the town, beautiful & well appointed apartments, washer & dryer, and free parking right on the property ...and these are just a few of the many amenities that make this a great place to stay! I believe that it is also a Slow Travel "Favorite".
Margherita & Elena are wonderful hosts ...and were absolutely great to deal with when reserving the apartment. These are people with integrity and so helpful in every way!
We rented Apt. #1 for one week in early October 2008... but know that if there is availability, they will rent for less than or more than 7 days...so, this might really work for you.
Like you, we wanted to stay in a town that was not dead at night... we wanted a good selection of restaurants w/in walking distance, so we could drink wine and not have to worry about driving. Montepulciano was PERFECT for our needs... as it is beautiful & lively, but not crowded ... and offered a lot to do day or night. Also... it is centrally located for visiting Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino & Monticchiello... and really only about 1 hr. from Siena, Cortona & Orvieto. A great location for a base to visit the Val d'Orcia and other areas in Tuscany. It is hilly... but unless you have severe breathing problems... you should be just fine.
Good luck in your search... wish I was going back this year!
Karen
Posts: 349 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 26 January 2005
I was going to suggest Pienza or San Quirico, but it sounds like they're too quiet for you. They are definitely very quiet in the evening, but I think most towns in the area would be. None are really on the scale of Cortona, or as lively. For slightly livelier towns, Montepulciano would fit the bill, but it is still pretty quiet after the day-trippers leave and the shops begin to close. There are a number of good restaurants and it's a fun town to walk. I haven't been in Montalcino in the evening, but that might also fit the bill.
Not strictly Val d'Orcia, but Kim's suggestion of Siena might be a good choice. We've stayed there once for two weeks (Palazzo Piccolomini apartments) and a couple of other times for a few nights (B&B San Francesco). It's a great town after the day-trippers leave - totally different from its daytime atmosphere plus plenty of great restaurants.
Have a great trip!
Posts: 824 | Location: Virginia (but still missing Naples!) | Registered: 05 October 2005
Although this won't help now,it's something to think about in the future. Nico (Sant'Antonio) is hoping to get permission to have two apts next to Cafe Poliziano. One will be one bedroom with a terrace overlooking the incredible countryside and the other will be 2bdrm 2 bath, facing the piazza and shops. They will have computers, wifi, big tv's, sound systems, etc. Very classy. There is no doubt they will be superb. But...for me, it will still be Sant' Antonio.
Kevin, I checked out B&B San Francesco. It looks like it would be a great choice and they even have a wine bar right next door. I've e-mailed them to see if they have availability.
Jane, that's an exciting new venture for Nico and, hopefully, he can get his approvals although I'm sure that's no easy task in Italy. We will try and visit Sant Antonio while we are in Tuscany.
Carole
Posts: 1341 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
Well, we finally made a decision and Cortona it is even though it's not in the Val d'Orcia area. We loved staying there on our '06 visit and did not want to make a decision we would regret just for the sake of something different. Alessandra was able to find out the dates for the Archery Festival and we'll be there for some of them so that was enough to tip the scale. Also, the Val d'Orcia towns are easy day trips.
Carole
Posts: 1341 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
