Montalcino, 37km south of Siena es a classic Tuscan hill town set within a full circuit of walls and watched over by a castle of almost fairytale perfection. A quite, immediately likable place affluent in an unshowy way. It is scarcely changed in apparence since the sixteenth century. It looks wonderful from below, its walls barely sullied by any modern building, and once up in the town the rolling hills, vineyards, orchards, olive groves and ancient oaks look equally lovely in turn, that's Tuscany. Montalcino make an excellent base for much southern Tuscany, lying within easy striking distance of the abbeys of Monte Oliveto and Sant' Antimo.
Accommodation is severely limited and it's wise to book ahead at almost any time of year. There is only handful hotels, though if you have transport you could try same place in the countryside nearby. Sampling Montalcino Tuscany' s wine is easily done. Apart from the "enoteca" in the Rocca and the "Fiaschetteria Italiana" which has a superb cantina at the back there are half a dozen cheaper cafe-bars with god stocks, for example "Bar Mariuccia"with breathtaking views from the terrace.
Montalcino like most of the towns in Tuscany is remarkably blessed with good restaurants and you will be hard pushed to have a bad mealin any of them, If you want a slice of Pizza to take away head for Petto Pizza a tiny place on Piazza Garibaldi.
During the summer in the Fortezza take place, Montalcino Jazz and Wine and the funny Festa Dell Unita a ten day festival, organized by the former communist party in the pine wood above the town. Live music most nights, cheap food and wine and usually a lot of fun.
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