I'm in the midst of nailing down a place to hangout for a week. There will be 2-3 of us. We are seeking a location within reasonable driving distance from Florence, as well as allow us to experience village atmosphere, and at the same time, is a hub for day trips to San Gimiangno, Volterre. While surfing numerous websites, this property popped into view. http://www.holiday-rentals.com/index.cfm/property/2115 aka Laura's little Palazzo in Tuscany Sinalunga Siena area, Siena Area - and I must declare this looks appealing/inviting and the description and comments from a former guest are quite postive. Has anyone stayed here, and/or been to this area? Barb itsmebabs2001@aol.com
Posts: 10 | Location: Vero Beach, FL USA | Registered: 30 December 2003
I think that Sinalunga is a little isolated. I would rather be in Castellina. The road from Sinalunga to Siena is either the SS whwich is a bear due to construction or back roads which are twisty and two lane. The site says 20 minutes to Montalcino but I think that's "Superman" style travel. Strove, San Giovanni d'Asso are both more close in to the main stuff I like going to see.
words of wisdom to live by from Stephen Sondheim's The Frogs {The chorus is singing a prayer to Dionysus...} Dionysius "A hymm to me, the god of wine..." Xanthius (His slave) "I thought you were the god of drama?" Dionysius "I am the god of wine and the god of drama. A little wine will get you thru a lot of drama"
Posts: 4614 | Location: Casa del Fenicottero Rosa, Silver Spring, MD USA | Registered: 06 August 2002
I agree with Dean. If you want to see Florence, San Gimignano and Voltera, stay in that area. There are wonderful towns in the northern Chianti area. Read our vacation rental reviews to find places people have liked: Italy - Vacation Rental Reviews
My village of Certaldo hasa medieival hill town with two hotels and several rental style apartments.
There are 3 or 4 restuarant and a bar in the upper village, Boccaccio's house.
There is a lower more modern village which as a train station which is an easy ride to Siena or Florence.
We are 14 km from San Gimignano, easy drive to Volterra too. There are also hiking trails, and Dolce Follie in the downtown, is fabulous, both for pastries and coffee as for the trattoria hidden in the back run by the son. See the review on my site places to go in Certaldo
I could go on and on. in the upper village they have a wonderful nail museum and an art gallery, fabulous ceramics at Artemesia,etchings and now the local goldsmith has a showroom with other fabulous artist! LOVE IT!
Certaldo? Small world. The first time we ever stayed in an agriturismo was a place just outside of Certaldo in 1996.
My mother-in-law and her husband were travelling to Italy for two weeks, and my wife and I were going to watch their dog for them while the were gone. I got a phone call from her about two months before they were supposed to leave, and she said "Mike, you know we're going to Italy in the fall," and I replied "yeah, and we get stuck with Nemi. What, are you trying to rub it in?" She said "no, actually. The place we're renting for our first week sleeps about 6 people, and Jeff and I are only 2. Would you and Jan like to come with us for that first week? We'll pay for the rental and for a rental car. All you have to do is pay for air fare and your own food. Think about and ask Jan if she wants to do it and call me back."
So after about two seconds of thought I said "we'll come with you." She said "don't you want to ask your wife?" So I said "no, I know what her answer will be."
The agriturismo was nice, and we really liked Certaldo. The first place we ate on that trip was Osteria del Vicario. I don't remember the name, but I do recognize the front door from the photo on your site. It was fantastic. We were exhausted because it was our first night, but the food was incredible. I ate wild boar for the first time in my life at that restaurant.
There was also a pizzeria right near the main town piazza in the lower part of town we liked a lot. We must've, because I think we had pizza there about three times in seven days.
The agriturismo we stayed in was outside of town a bit, and was previously a convent that had been converted.
Posts: 291 | Location: Takoma Park, Maryland, USA | Registered: 09 October 2003
Mike, great story, thanks. Might I add a comment that I once gotten from an MCI operator while I was signing up for a phone offer: "Sir, it is nice to hear that your mother-in-law is also your friend".
The Osteria del Vicario is a hotel and restaurant to the right of the town hall! There are tons of Pizzeria's I think the only time the locals go out is for Pizza!
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