We're going to spend a week in southern Tuscany next spring, and with the help of a friend we've narrowed our rental choices down to two: one actually in Montepulciano Montepulciano Apartment; and one nearby San Antonio . Price isn't the issue, just location -- town vs. countryside. I think our best rentals/B&Bs have been in small towns where we can walk to cafes and restaurants, but I wonder if we'll miss the access to a terrace and sitting outside if the weather is pleasant. Any advice???
[This message was edited by Amy on November 24, 2002 at 04:56 PM.]
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Posts: 1503 | Location: Sunset Beach (Haleiwa), Hawaii, USA | Registered: 16 September 2001
The San Antonio apartments are no far from town, ok too far to walk, but incredible location. It's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. For hanging out and not having to hop in your car everytime you want something, I agree with living in town.My favorite part of visiting a new place is just that, the fitting in to a village. Isolating your self in a country house that is part of a complex, does give you English speaking neighbors and a great exchange of info for day trips etc.
My friend Macro ofrents bikes in the area if you want to explore. he provides you with maps and you can do a tour on your own or he also does guided tours of the area.
Judy Divina Cucina Florence Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!
This is a very interesting question and one that comes up often with people booking a trip.
Pros for staying in a small town: You can walk out for dinner at night, coffee in the morning, get groceries easily. If you are more than one couple, it gives a chance for one couple to go out for the day and the other to still have lots to do in the town. You get to see how a village works - see the same people every day.
Cons for staying in a small town: You probably cannot park near the house so are always lugging things up to the house and it is a bit harder to get organized for day trips.
Pros for staying in the countryside: The Italian countryside, especially that in southern Tuscany, is very beautiful and you are right here in it. From most countryside places in Tuscany, it is a few minutes in the car to a town for coffee, dinner, groceries.
Cons for staying in the countryside: More driving. Possibly more bugs and dust.
We have stayed in the countryside many times, but in towns in Italy only twice - a week in Spello, two weeks in Cetona.
For me, it is the countryside that I like better. But in my normal life, I live in a small town, walk out for coffee most days, two minute drive to the grocery store, could walk out to restaurants if I wanted to. I love being in the countryside, and while I do not want to live in the countryside full time (unless someone gives me a farm in Tuscany), I like to vacation there.
I know that in these small towns you are right on the edge of the countryside, but it feels different to me. And it is a thrill to stay in one of these villages. Spello is a great town, but lacked a good central piazza. Cetona as a town was just about perfect - great central piazza with 3 caffes! A few good restaurants in town.
Montepulciano would be good for restaurants and caffes, but it can get very crowded with tourists. It can be hard to find parking - or has been in my experience - is parking provided? But Montepulciano is a beautiful town.
My perfect place in Italy is a small house in the country - not an apartment on an estate, but a house on its own. These are hard to find for an affordable price. We wrote an FAQ about this but it needs updating: http://www.slowtrav.com/faq/italy_small_houses.htm
Well, it seems like the only solution is to spend a week in each place! BTW, Pauline, there is public parking right next to the apt. in Montepulciano. And I would hope that by going in off-season (April or October) there will be fewer tourists not only in Montepulciano but in the whole area. Is this a false hope?
Posts: 1503 | Location: Sunset Beach (Haleiwa), Hawaii, USA | Registered: 16 September 2001
It's strictly a matter of personal preference, but I'd vote for staying in Montepulciano. I've stayed both in small villages and out in the country, and although some of the countryside places have been wonderful, I missed being able to walk to the bakery and cafe and out for dinner, but mostly I missed the chance to watch people. One of the most fascinating things to me has always been to just watch how people go about their daily business, and you can't do that either in an isolated house or in a collection of tourist apartments.
Posts: 7516 | Location: Sacramento, CA | Registered: 18 June 2001
I agree... in the town if you have access to parking nearby and it isn't too far uphill!!!
Just remember when you do you shopping, don't buy it all in one day if you have to lug it, or get one of the baskets on wheels to shop with all the Italian's have.
I have lived in downtown Florence for 17 years ( most of it near the Central Market) and adored it, noise and all; but now that I am in the countryside, I love it ( much more relaxing, but isolated).
For a real taste there is nothing like a town, especially where there is no public traffic allowed.
Judy Divina Cucina Florence Everyone should try being Italian at least once a day!!
Never thought about this (since as a non-driver I pretty much have to stay in a town), but the essential difference is yes, that in an azienda or rental property human nature will take over and you will create your own surroundings, your own world -- but in a town, you can't really do that, you're in a little world created for you by Italy herself. Since the purpose of travel, for many people, is to see the world as it is, I'd vote for the town even if I drove, then. (At least as a traveller; if I were moving to Italy -- in my own house, I'd want to create my own environment -- I'd probably want something more rural, although I'm not sure.)
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