One Tuscan village to see Chianti and Montalcino areas ?
Jun 30th, 2006, 10:42 AM
#1
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One Tuscan village to see Chianti and Montalcino areas ?
Planning a 14-day trip to Italy next May...
CT (3 nights)
Florence (2 nights)
Tuscan countryside (5 nights)
Venice (3 nights)
Milan (1 night)
My question is:
what town/village would you suggest to see the areas of both Chianti and Montalcino? We will have a car and prefer to stay in one hotel/apartment for all five nights so we can stay 'settled in'.
Thanks.
CT (3 nights)
Florence (2 nights)
Tuscan countryside (5 nights)
Venice (3 nights)
Milan (1 night)
My question is:
what town/village would you suggest to see the areas of both Chianti and Montalcino? We will have a car and prefer to stay in one hotel/apartment for all five nights so we can stay 'settled in'.
Thanks.
Jun 30th, 2006, 11:35 AM
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Pienza or Montipulciano would get my vote for Tuscan charm. The scenery between those two towns is breathtaking. Take the detour to Montichiello and you will see the typical landscape that is famous in the region. The restaurant in Montichiello La Porta was one of our best meals...our most memorable drive of the trip.
Also, don't miss the monasteries of Mont Oliveto Maggiore and Sant' Antimo...both are nestled amoung the most beautiful scenery and make for two very interesting stops. You can hear the Gregorian chants at Sant' Antimo if you time your visit correctly.
We took a winery tour at Altesino, just outside of Montalcino. They give private tours by appointment and it was a very nice experience.
http://www.altesino.it/en/cantina.php
Also, don't miss the monasteries of Mont Oliveto Maggiore and Sant' Antimo...both are nestled amoung the most beautiful scenery and make for two very interesting stops. You can hear the Gregorian chants at Sant' Antimo if you time your visit correctly.
We took a winery tour at Altesino, just outside of Montalcino. They give private tours by appointment and it was a very nice experience.
http://www.altesino.it/en/cantina.php
Jun 30th, 2006, 02:33 PM
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carolsc
I did a similar itinerary last month except for Venice and Milan.
Driving from CT to Florence, be sure to stop and explore Lucca. From here to Florence, it'll only be another 40 minutes on the road.
Upon leaving Florence, avoid the autostrada, instead take the SS222 Strada Chiantigiani. It is easy driving and takes you through the heart of the Chianti region visiting towns such as Greve, Radda, Volpaia, Castellina etc.
If you decide to stay in Montalcino, from there you can easily visit San Quirico d'Orcia, Pienza, Montepulciano. To the north, you can visit Siena (spend at least half a day there), San Gimignano, Volterra, Monteriggioni etc. When in Montalcino, make sure you dine at Taverna Grappolo Blu.
Try not to do too many towns in one day. Whilst the distance between each town does not seem to be far on the map, the roads you will be driving on are mainly country roads and therefore one cannot drive too fast.
Enjoy!
S
I did a similar itinerary last month except for Venice and Milan.
Driving from CT to Florence, be sure to stop and explore Lucca. From here to Florence, it'll only be another 40 minutes on the road.
Upon leaving Florence, avoid the autostrada, instead take the SS222 Strada Chiantigiani. It is easy driving and takes you through the heart of the Chianti region visiting towns such as Greve, Radda, Volpaia, Castellina etc.
If you decide to stay in Montalcino, from there you can easily visit San Quirico d'Orcia, Pienza, Montepulciano. To the north, you can visit Siena (spend at least half a day there), San Gimignano, Volterra, Monteriggioni etc. When in Montalcino, make sure you dine at Taverna Grappolo Blu.
Try not to do too many towns in one day. Whilst the distance between each town does not seem to be far on the map, the roads you will be driving on are mainly country roads and therefore one cannot drive too fast.
Enjoy!
S
?
Jul 1st, 2006, 03:44 AM
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Thank you all for the replies. I will pull out my map and give it some more thought. The posters here are the best!
(BTW, swagman, I wasn't entirely clear about the car. We will rent it when leaving Florence just for the Tuscan leg of the trip.)
carolsc
(BTW, swagman, I wasn't entirely clear about the car. We will rent it when leaving Florence just for the Tuscan leg of the trip.)
carolsc
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Jul 1st, 2006, 04:06 AM
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Bob- when you say "the best of Tuscany", what does that mean? Southern Tuscany is "better"?
Rosie- absolutely agree. The planning is huge but fun. Went to Ireland last year after a year of planning (mostly reading this forum for ideas). Haven't been to Italy in about 25 years and can't wait to go back (mostly cities on the last trip; now I want to balance it with countryside esp. vineyards and views and a slower pace).
Rosie- absolutely agree. The planning is huge but fun. Went to Ireland last year after a year of planning (mostly reading this forum for ideas). Haven't been to Italy in about 25 years and can't wait to go back (mostly cities on the last trip; now I want to balance it with countryside esp. vineyards and views and a slower pace).
