thanks for your continued help, all! it's good to be back on the board. i downloaded the most recent netscape (had been using ie,) and it worked! anyway, i have 2 big questions left and they both involve accomodations.
1. we're spending one night in the cinque terre. if you had only one night to spend, where would you spend it? any great recommendations for a place to stay there?
2. siena v. montepulciano. we found a place that looks great to stay just outside of siena (palazzora vizza,) but i'm still a bit partial to staying in montepulciano b/c of proximity to other places (assisi, etc.,) and for the sake of not just staying in cities. my fiancee can get a little stir crazy in places where we can't go out at night (not to clubs or anything like that, mind you, just restaurants/walking around town at night, etc.) does anyone think montepulciano is TOO quiet for such things? anyone heard of that place outside of siena?
thanks again for you incredibly useful advice... peter
ps - we live in brooklyn and our favorite italian restaurant is a place called sotto voce. there's not even a close second. someone had asked me that...
Posts: 15 | Location: New York, NY | Registered: 13 November 2003
there's an al di la in the slope as well. sotto voce is on 7th ave. at 4th st. in park slope. go on a wednesday or friday and ask for lisa. tell her peter grossman said she's the greatest and that i highly recommended the place. you won't be disappointed...
cinque terre, anyone? anyone???
Posts: 15 | Location: New York, NY | Registered: 13 November 2003
There is a place called MONTORIO just outside the walls of Montepulciano that looks really nice to me. www.montorio.com I like this area for its proximity to many towns and also because you can walk into Montepulciano in the evenings for dinner, etc.
Posts: 698 | Location: Berkeley, CA USA | Registered: 07 August 2003
I spent a week in Siena and stayed at a really nice B+B called Palazzo Brucchi (spelling? - will repost if incorrect). It was close to the Campo and within the city walls. Had a fabulous view of the countryside.
There are a lot of restaurants in Siena and they are very good. There is also a nightly passagieta - everyone goes walking through the main streets around 7 pm or so even in December. There are some nice places to stop and have an aperitivo before dinner with the nice little snacks you get with your drink.
I did a lot of walking around the town and it's really hilly, so you can burn a lot of energy just walking around.
Okay, I am biased. I prefer Siena to Montepulciano (more things to do overall). The only prob is that you want to go to places like Assisi which of course works better if you are in Montepulciano.
As for Palazzo Ravizza, this is where I worked when I first came to Italy. I worked as the private tutor for the previous owner's children while attending the language school. Got room and board for the lessons so I lived at the hotel as well as worked there. Ended up working in the restaurant after about 3 months as well and met my now husband there . I cannot say enough wonderful things about the hotel. Just one correction though, it is not outside of the walls but right inside and it has its own parking lot.
Siena is the place if I correctly understand what you are looking for.Don't worry about it being too hectic.I just get the feeling that your future wife would be more comfortable in a medium size town.RR
Well, we stayed in a great apartment in Cinque Terre last spring, in Vernazza, but I am afraid the contact info I have is a bit sketchy...all I have is a business card witht eh title "affitto camerer vista mare" (rooms with a sea view), and email address slercari@yahoo.it, and a cell phone, 339-4781796.
The good news is that the apartment we rented was GREAT- clean, roomy, well- equipped, right near the center of things and very affordable. Mr. Lecari (or at least his son) speaks great English. He also had rooms available in other Cinque Terre towns.
We were met by the son (Stefano, I believe) who was very gracious and helpful, even when we called with stupid questions.
Hope this helps,
Kate
Posts: 605 | Location: Rehoboth, MA USA | Registered: 30 August 2003
I am afraid the times when the cinque Terre was an undiscovered gem are about 10 years in the past.I would consider the Tuscany coast as an alternative.The Maremma(sp.?)is also a up and coming wine area! less crowded! No specific recomendations on places to stay.But it is gorgeous from the photos in a wine magazine. Also a very nice national Park
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. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the hotel. Just one correction though, it is not outside of the walls but right inside and it has its own parking lot.
