Base to Explore South Tuscany

[kevind]

Hello,

I need advise on where to base myself in Tuscany (I know this question is quite popular but I haven't found any posts that are similar to my situation).

Our plan is: we arrive in Florence and we will rent a car to explore southern Tuscany for 3 days. We'll then come back to Florence and spend 2 nights in Florence.

I need help in deciding where to base myself in Southern Tuscany. During the 3 days we'd like to visit - Chianti Area, San Gimignano, Siena, and the Val D'Orcia region (if time permits we'll add Cortona to the plan). Again we'll have a car so we plan on driving everywhere.

I think we've narrowed down the options to basing ourselves in Chianti or Siena (we thought Val D'Orcia is too south). Please let me know which would be a better base. We'd like to stay in a place in the countryside that has views of the tuscan hills and landscape.

thanks.

[DonnaDenise]

Buongiorno,

If you only are dedicating three days to this area I am not sure you will make it to Cortona because it is a little bit further east and isolated from the other destinations.

You could still stay in Val d'Orcia without being to far south, have a look at http://www.tuscanyaccommodation.com/...in-poggio.html

or go over towards http://www.tuscanyaccommodation.com/...vo-berardenga/
I especially like: Borgo Argennina and Agriturismo Incrociata.

Buon Viaggio,

Donna Denise

[kevind]

Thanks Donna Denise for your help. The 3 options you gave me are not available anymore during our visit.

But I wanted to know, do you think Val D'Orcia is better base that Siena or Chianti? We are a young married couple and what we'd like to do, apart from enjoy the scenery, is to visit some nice restaurants and enjoy the wine of the region, and do a little sightseeing. The options you suggested, are they very far away or isolated so it's difficult to get to restaurants or are all these areas easily accessible.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Buongiorno,

If you only are dedicating three days to this area I am not sure you will make it to Cortona because it is a little bit further east and isolated from the other destinations.

You could still stay in Val d'Orcia without being to far south, have a look at http://www.tuscanyaccommodation.com/...in-poggio.html

or go over towards http://www.tuscanyaccommodation.com/...vo-berardenga/
I especially like: Borgo Argennina and Agriturismo Incrociata.

Buon Viaggio,

Donna Denise

[DonnaDenise]

Gotcha'

have a look at these places which might be a better choice:

http://www.chianti.com/chianti-bed-a...malaspina.html

http://www.tuscanyaccommodation.com/...el-giglio.html

Donna Denise

[Lourdes]

All are easily accessible to nearby towns where you'll find restaurants and shops. The entire area around Siena would be perfect given the places you want to visit, so I would also suggest you take a look at places in the Crete Senesi as well as Chianti Senese (Borgo di Pietrafitta and Borgo Scopeto are beautiful estates and have the possibility to stay for less than a week).
You don't say when you are coming, so keep in mind that from June to August many places will offer only weekly stays so looking at properties, if you see it has "daily rates" you can contact those for 3 days (skipping the ones that only have weekly rates).

[kevind]

What do you think of Aia Mattonata Relais? Is this a good location and accommodation? It's on the expensive side so I thought I'd get your thoughts on it.

[DonnaDenise]

Sorry - I have no experience with them.

[Poohh66]

What do you think of Aia Mattonata Relais? Is this a good location and accommodation? It's on the expensive side so I thought I'd get your thoughts on it.

Did you end up staying at Aia Mattonata Kevind, I would love to hear about your trip since I am looking for the same type of accomodations
Thanks