Tuscany middle of July for a week...

[Loco 3754]

Dante's Inferno or good times?

Staying in a villa in the country side.

If you have recommendations or advice....   it'd be appreciated.

[wild_turkey 3296]

We went last year in July and stayed at Villa Bordoni in Greve in Chianti. The hotel was amazing, probably our single favorite place we've ever stayed. It's about 10 rooms, has a small restaurant/bar with excellent food and drinks, pool, gardens, and extremely friendly staff. It's in a good area with easy access to other towns, vineyards, and Sienna or Florence if you're interested in either of those cities. We did a cooking class at Villa Bordoni that was probably the highlight of a 4 week trip in France/Italy. Can't recommend this place enough.

http://www.villabordoni.com/en/

If you already have other plans for where to stay, you can still visit their property for the restaurant or the cooking class, if either of those appeal to you. I think it was 300 Euro for the class per couple, which was a full afternoon/evening in which you made an entire meal, then they serve it to you, and all wine and drinks were included.

It was hot and dry in July, but not unbearably so. We still ate most meals outdoors, toured a couple vineyards, and cooled off by the pool in the afternoons. Compared to Texas summers, it actually felt pretty good.

Edited June 16, 2018 by wild_turkey

[VABuckeye 2481]

We stay in Gaiole in Chianti when we're in Tuscany.

 

Go to Montalcino and Montepulciano.  Both beautiful towns and Montalcino is where Brunello is made. 

Eat at La Grotta Della Rana in San Sano.  Fantastic food at a reasonable price.  La Grotta Della Rana  We've found that eating in small towns yields some fantastic food.  The really small towns generally only have one or two restaurants and they'd better be good or the locals won't support them.

We're headed back to Italy in September and will be spending five nights at an agritourismo at our favorite little vineyard in Gaiole.  Isodi  We've become friends with the owners over the years.  If you want a small vineyard with award winning wines Isodi is a place you should visit.