I am having a hard time deciding where to base ourselves in Tuscany. I was hoping to stay in one place and then take side trips to different areas. We will be visiting Florence for a day, San Gimignano, Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano, Val d'Orcia area and some other towns in the Tuscany area. I have been thinking of staying in Montepulciano but not sure that would make sense. A friend suggested the Chianti area but I keep leaning toward more of the open countryside.