It looks like my trip to Toscana with my Mom will be postponed for a while. BUT I SO fell in love with what I read about Sant' Antonio and the fabulous correspondence that I had with Nico, I just could not NOT go. Soooooo I am planning to book a week at end September with my husband.

Thanks to Sharon J for first bringing this place to my attention

And to Sheena for the further information and detailed response.

Since they only rent from Saturday to Saturday and we plan on getting there on the Friday before (no other option), does anyone have a suggestion for where to spend that first night? Looking for something clean and inexpensive and since it is only one night it does not have to be anything else.

Also, those of you who HAVE spent time in Sant' Antonio, can you tell me which apartments you were in? We have a choice between a stand-alone cottage and an apartment in the main large building. There is a different of 200 Euros for the week between the two (the cottage being the more expensive) and I am just wondering whether it is worth paying more.

Thanks much for any advice/suggestions.

Dorit, do you know the name of the apartment in the main building? That can make a difference in the recommendation. With that said, many people really love the stand alone apartment. We have stayed in several of the units but never that one.

Also, for one night stand--what airport are you flying into--Rome or Florence?

Jane, I can choose between Piero della Francesca, billed as the most private cottage, Giotto "on the corner of the 800 year old monastery", Signorella, "another cottage" or the Michelozzo, the studio apt. in the main building which is the less expensive of the four options.

As for the airport, we are flying into Rome but that is immaterial, as we will pick up a car at the airport and drive directly to the Tuscany area on Friday when we arrive.

Thanks!!!

My first choice without question would be Signorelli (which is the stand alone cottage). Second choice Piero della Francesca. If you look at the photos, first page, top row, right hand photo (click to get a larger image) Signorelli is the stand alone building towards the pool, Piero della Francesca is the cottage at the end of the building closest to the photographer - the lower roof line. The little covered patio at the entrance to the cottage faces away from the pool, so it faces Lake Trasimeno. You are also very close to the terrace with bbq and table which you can see in the foreground of that same photo. The very first photograph shows a guest sitting at the table in the bbq area. (Can you tell that I am obsessing about being there again for two weeks next month?) I should add that it is important for us to be on the ground floor, firstly because I have a knee problem so don't want to be running up and down stairs, secondly for several evenings each week we will cook and eat outside which is easier and I think you have more outdoor space if you are on the ground floor. These things may not be important to you. When it comes right down to it there isn't a bad apartment at Sant'Antonio!

Regarding a place to overnight. I would suggest Orvieto. It is about halfway between Rome and Montepulciano. On Saturday morning you can poke around Orvieto for a couple of hours, then drive up to Sant'Antonio stopping at the big supermarket in Chiusi on the way.

We were goinbg to overnight in Rome this year because our flights arrived fairly late, but now our flights have changed so we are going to the Orvieto area. We tossed various ideas around and decided to stay outside of Orvieto, somewhere with a pool and where we could get dinner. This way we can just relax for a bit and then be served dinner without having to make any decisions! Our first choice was Locanda Rosati but it is full. The kind folk at Locanda Rosati recommended La Rocca which is where we are staying. There is also a very good recommendation on ST for L'Ombricolo.

Cheryl Alexander (who knows the area very well) suggested that we try La Tana dell'Istrice but it was fully booked.

If you want to stay right in Orvieto Cheryl highly recommends Hotel Piccolomini. There is also Hotel Duomo which, as the name suggests, is very close to the Duomo.

Directions to the supermarket in Chiusi: When you come off the highway in Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, make a left (Chianciano-Montepulciano direction). 200 meters up the road is the large shopping centre and supermarket Centro Etrusco.

Edited to add: I was called away part way through this post. In the meantime you listed the apartments you are considering. One other consideration..... in Michelozzo the bedroom is not on the same floor as the bathroom which isn't great for those who get up in the night!

Dorit,
You'll have such a wonderful time at Sant' Antonio! The apartments and property are wonderful, and Nico is the absolute best host. If you can, arrange to be onsite for the Wednesday night group Tuscan dinner. Marvelous food!

In 2007, four friends stayed in the ground floor Leonardo apartment and I stayed in the upstairs 1-BR Ghiberti apartment - we were very happy with both. Slow Traveler SharonL happened to be staying at Sant' Antonio at the same time as us, so we got to see the cute cottage (Signorelli) she and her husband stayed in, too.

We flew into Pisa, and spent the night there, as we arrived very late from the US West Coast.

WOW Sheena, thanks!!! Which apartment have YOU picked for your stay?

When you talk about the photo, do you mean the sant' antonio web site when you first click on it? I tried to open the picture to larger but could not, but I still managed pretty well to understand what is where from your description.

Thanks also for the tip regarding the bedroom and bathroom different floors in the studio apartment - VERY important indeed!!!

AS for places to stay for the one night before, I did not want to actually drive into a town, even a small-ish one like Orvieto, where we have already been by the way. But the locanda rosati is a good idea, I have heard of it before. And if they have room, I may try it.

Other than that, I might also try a small place nearer to Montepulciano itself, or even Montalcino, which is my all around favorite small town, if anyone can give suggestions about those.

Grazie mille.

Dorit,

I can highly recommend the Locanda Rosati, we stayed there for several nights last July - it would be a lovely place for a night in the country after your flight, and the plus of having the option of dining at their communal table is just that, a plus. We had all our dinners there; they were delicious.

Dorit, hopefully this will take you to the correct page. If not, when you open the website on the left click on 'Images and Emotions'.

We are travelling with my sister and BIL so need a two bedroom apartment. In the past we have stayed at Michelangelo which we like, but when we booked (way back in August of last year) we were unable to get Michelangelo for both weeks - so for the first week Nico has put us in Piero della Francesca and my sister in Sodoma - then we move to Michelangelo for the second week. We have stayed in P della F before and really like it. My brother-in-law (who we love dearly) is a complete and utter Type A - he will have us moved and settled in whilst we are still thinking about a second cup of coffee!

Dorit, We have reserved the Piero della Francesca apartment after much discussion on this board and numerous emails back and forth with Nico. It really was a hard decision and we are looking forward to our stay starting October 3rd.

I'm so glad you're still making the trip, even though it won't be as soon as you thought.

Sharon J

Sheena is my dear friend so I hate to disagree with her but........I would select Piero della Francesca as it has a most wonderful view and private grassy area to lounge in with the view. It is quite private--actually maybe more so than Signorella. Signorella is nice but it doesn't have a view and has what I think is a cramped outside area in back of the apartment.

I second the recommendation to enjoy the Wednesday dinner if they have it while you are there. Be sure to ask Nico about it once you arrive. It will depend on how many guests are interested that week.

As all have said, you will love Nico and his family. We began going to SA in 2001 and have been there every year but one since then. We will be there again this July and can't wait.

quote:

Originally posted by Jane:
Signorella is nice but it doesn't have a view and has what I think is a cramped outside area in back of the apartment.

Okay, I'll give you that!

Colleen, we posted at the same time. I will most definitely do the Wednesday night dinner if it will be available.

MarciaB, it seems like the Locanda Rosati is not in Orvieto itself but a bit outside of it, is that correct? Do you remember the price you paid? Thanks for the recommendation.

Sheena, it looks like it will be a kind of toss-up between P della F and Signorelli. It looks like P della F does not have a tub and Signorelli does. I wonder whether this should factor into my decision. I like that they are both free standing cottages and the view or no view is def a factor.

Sharon J, so it looks like we will just miss each other since I am taking just the week before you, i.e. leaving Oct. 3. Really too bad.......

I can't believe I have never come across this place before, seeing as we travel to Italy and Toscana frequently. I usually search for small hotels or B&B's so I guess that's why.

Thanks all again.

Locanda Rosati is outside Orvieto, but not far. I cannot recall what we paid, but I could look at my notes - we thought it was reasonable, what with the added costs for a several course dinner and all the wine you can drink.

Thanks Marcia, don't trouble yourself. I will send them an inquiry. Do they serve this dinner every night and did you have to reserve in advance?

quote:

Sharon J, so it looks like we will just miss each other since I am taking just the week before you, i.e. leaving Oct. 3. Really too bad.......

It really is a small world. We are just missing Janet for our stay at Borgo Vallone in Piedmont by a day as well a week from now.

Sorry, we will miss you too!

Sharon J

Dorit, to clarify--Piero della Francesca is not free standing. It is a part of the main building but is situated in such a way that it is very private and seems separate.

We are staying at Sant' Antonio in early September also. We decided on Signorella because it was the largest 2 person cottage and had a nice soaking tub and fireplace. Since we are arriving in Rome on Friday we decided to stay in Orvieto at a B & B named Ripa Medici. It is within the old city walls with great views and private parking for about 66 euros per night.

I believe that dinner is served nightly at the Locandi Rosati; we e-mailed them a few weeks before our arrival to confirm we wanted to have dinner the night we arrived; the rest of the days we told them in the morning before we left for the day.

Jane - thanks for the clarification regarding P. della F. It seems to be the one we shall choose, although I am still debating a bit....

Michel D - thanks for your suggestion aboutRipa Medici. Can you believe they have no room for our date? I already wrote to them and received a reply.

NarciaB- got a lovely reply from the Rosati, but it is twice the price of the above Ripa Medici. Most places though are loathe to give you only one night, they usually want at least 2 so unless I find something else I may stay with the Rosati.

Anyone else have other suggestions?

We stayed in the Giotto apt for a week in May (2007). It was a nice apartment, rarely saw anyone and had a bonus of a small landing outside the front door just large enough to enjoy a beautiful view while drinking the fantastic wine available in the apartment. (Avignosi - well priced and at the end of our stay, they just counted the (many) empties). We enjoyed the fireplace very much (cool nights); the kitchen was tiny but had everything we needed. Didn't use the loft portion at all and, while the unit had a very large soaking tub (in addition to a stand-alone shower) there was not enough hot water to fill it.
Lovely grounds. Nico is very friendly.
I remember, at the time of booking, being disappointed that the stand-alone cottage was not available, but truly, was very happy with the apt. You are in for a treat

Another reasonable place in Orvieto is Villa Mercede. It is within the historic center, 30 meters from the Duomo with private parking. Here is the website if interested:
http://www.argoweb.it/casareli...villamercede.uk.html

Orvieto would be a good choice> We had a similar issue on our last stay (which was in Montepuliciano). Since we were going to be in M. for three weeks we thought it was silly to spend an extra night in a hotel there. I also wanted something further off the A1 than Orvieto, so we stayed at the Hotel Charleston in Spoleto. It is a bit out of the way relative to Orvieto but a prettier drive in and a very nice town in its own right. The hotel was quite reasonable and we had a Junior Suite for 110 Euros. It has a small garage for another 10 Euros which removed the trepidation I had about wheeling a big Alfa 159 all over and trying to park it.