Discovering the corners of Montepulciano

Montepulciano is one of the most enchanting towns of Tuscany. It lies to the south of the region between the agricultural region of Valdichiana and the ravishing and wilder Valdorcia (Unesco World Heritage). The town was built on the highest point of a 500-metre hill and enjoys spectacular sights that take in Umbria and Lake Trasimeno. Montepulciano�s style is typically medieval with dramatic walls surrounding the town and historical buildings, mainly medieval, but also of Renaissance architecture turning this spot into one of the best preserved jewels of the artistic heritage of Tuscany.

As it is a medieval town, Montepulciano has no easy access. Therefore, from the parking area located outside the walls, the visitor has to go up along the little medieval lanes of town to get to the pretty cathedral and its "Plaza Grande"(main square).

It is important to take into account that the ascent to the highest point of town though tiring it may be, it is filled with beautiful corners and seducing historic palaces abounding in charm, such as for example the famous Caffe Poliziano very frequently visited in by the celebrated Italian director Federico Fellini in his time. Another charming spot found while going up towards the cathedral is the celebrated Piazza San Francesco, from whose vantage point it is possible to relish the ravishing Valdorcia (World Heritage by Unesco).

Around the Piazza San Francesco you should stop at the Caff� "Lucevan le Stelle" which serves an interesting selection of local wines in an atmosphere of jazz offering live performances throughout the summer.

The ascent towards the beautiful square of the cathedral will also provide travellers with many spots with lovely views to the right of the enchanting Valdichiana and Lake Trasimeno, to finish in the Redi cellars which are an obligatory stop for wine and art lovers. The cellars are impressive and very well preserved in a charming medieval palace. They are a one-of-a-kind free-of-charge outing which cannot be missed in a visit to Montepulciano.

The ascent ends in the pretty Piazza Grande where the marvellous cathedral is.

Here is a web offering an interesting guide to Montepulciano and a video of some scenes of the famed Twilight, whose sequel was filmed in Montepulciano last summer.

Airports of Tuscany

Dear friends,

Today lets talk about the three most suitable airports for those travelling to Tuscany:

Airport of Pisa


It is the main airport in Tuscany. Most airlines travel from Pisa but most importantly it is where Ryan Air lands with its Low Cost flights connecting Tuscany with most European main town.

This airport only operates mainland European towns and many destinations from UK and Ireland.

The airport of Pisa is recommendable for those travelling to the north and coastal Tuscany and, in particular, the provinces of Pisa, Florence, Lucca, Prato and Massa Carrara.

There are excellent connections from this airport by bus to Siena and by train and bus to Florence. Another advantage of Pisa�s airport is its railway station inside the airport.

Airport of Florence

Florence only operates from Europe.

The airport of the capital of Tuscany is an authentic example of how a bad policy and Meridiana (that is, Alitalia) have negatively interfered in Italian business so much. Consequently, the third most visited town of Italy and one of the most beautiful and famed towns worldwide has a low level airport.

This airport monopolized by Meridiana offers expensive flights by the old Meridiana�s planes that tend to be delayed. Besides, as always the town of Florencia has never had the ambition to improve or change the runway there are just some kinds of planes that manage to land in this very short runway located between the A1 and the mountains.

For those reasons I do not recommend this airport.

Airport of Siena

It operates mainland towns as well as London.
The airport of Siena is ideal for those who afford their own light aircraft, as there are no regular flights to this airport.

Alternative airports: Bologna, Perugia and Rome

Airport of Bologna

This is the chance for travellers from New Yorkers as this airport operates New York. The airport of Bologna can be an alternative to the airport of Pisa for those travelling to Florence and not finding flights available to get to the capital or simply prefer this option. The airport of Bologna is a moderately large airport having several flights from different points of the European mainland town and London..

Airport of Perugia

The airport of Perugia which is in currently and steadily growing offers flights from European mainland towns and London for the time being. From Spain travellers can fly from Girona (Barcelona) three times a week, only from March to October. The airport of Perugia is ideal for those who wish to know the region of Umbria (also very pretty) and for the travellers who journey to the south of Tuscany in particular those who have planned to travel to the provinces of Siena y Arezzo.

Airport of Rome

This is the only airport operating intercontinental flights. Therefore for those who come from America, Australia, Africa or Asia it is the only chance with Milan Airport to get to Italy and from there journey to Tuscany.

This airport has to be taken in as an alternative to Pisa for those who travel to the south of Tuscany, in particular to the provinces of Siena, Arezzo and Grosseto and travel from Europe.

Depending on the provinces to which you are travelling the airport of Rome can be equidistant for those travelling to the airport of Pisa, although it is in the region of Lazio.

RyanAir flies from Roma Ciampino and many others companies fly from Fiumicino. Both airports are very well communicated with the center of Rome and its railway station.


As I always have, I hope this information is useful in preparing your trip around Tuscany,

Best regards
G

Pictures of Tuscany in Winter

Dear Friends

Here some pictures of Tuscany during winter times I have taken few days ago:

I took this occasion to wish you all a Happy new Year!

Best regards

G.

Pitigliano- off the beaten beauty

Pitigliano is no doubt one of the most interesting towns in Tuscany for its history and its beauty.

As you reach Pitigliano by car you will immediately see its great beauty.

The town is totally perched on top of an abrupt tuff butte and is surrounded by green vegetation and the typical Maremma�s intense brown.

The whole town is constructed on a hill of "Tufo" (that is the name of this special rock which is typical of many areas of Tuscany and Lacio) and gives the impression that its walls and houses are a continuation of the same hill.

From the historic point of view there is no doubt that Pitigliano was inhabited by the Etruscans (500 AC), taking into account its many grottos that the archaeologists have found in town, although its present aspect is more medieval. Called the little Jerusalem, Pitigliano is one of the few towns of Tuscany which keeps a Jewish quarter with its synagogue.

Pitigliano is perfect to discover on foot and an hour is enough to get lost in its little narrow lanes, see the Jewish quarter and the synagogue. Pitigliano�s white wine is also famed. It is called Bianco de Pitigliano. So if you stop to eat in the village ask for the local white and more importantly, do not miss one of the best restaurants of the area: el "Tufo Allegro", located very near the synagogue.

A visit to Pitigliano can be combined with other two very pretty places which are off it: Sovana, and the Termas de Saturnia which are probably the prettiest thermal baths in Tuscany (see last photo).

How to travel around Tuscany

Dear Friends,

We receive many mails from the blog�s following asking what the best way to know Tuscany is and mainly whether it is necessary to go around by car. That is why here I will give you the following information:

1- If your trip is only devoted to Florence and a day dedicated to Siena and San Gimignano you should avoid hiring a car. Florence is a relatively small town which must be known on foot. Besides, the access to cars in the historic heart is not permitted, therefore hiring a car to know Florence is unnecessary expense. Besides parking is another problem. As it is a town dating back to the 16th century, it is not logistically prepared with car parks and they are not enough. The rail and road communications to Siena and San Gimignano are excellent and buses leave hourly.

2- If you want to know the real Tuscany, its little villages and its ravishing countryside, it is essential to travel by car as it is the only way to reach the most enchanting off the beaten places where no public transport can take you.

As I always have, I hope this information is useful to prepare your trip.

Best wishes,

Giovanni

How to save in a trip to Tuscany

How to save in a trip to Tuscany

Tuscany is an area of Italy visited by high standing tourism. However, it is also possible to visit this splendid region on low budget following the recommendations below:

1- Accommodation
All those who do not want to spend a fortune in a trip around the region should hire an apartment with kitchen in a rural house in Tuscany. Having a kitchen will help them avoid having breakfast and dinner out and save.
Tuscany offers many accommodations of this kind but beware of high season as they only rent from Saturday to Saturday.

2- Shopping
If you are in a little touristic village, avoid shopping in the village stores. It can be too expensive, therefore always ask where the nearest COOP to your apartment is. COOP is one of the best inventions of our period of �socialism�: it is a producers� cooperative where you will be able to buy excellent food products at very low prices.

3- Transport
Avoid public transport as it is expensive and does not go to the most enchanting off the beaten places to visit in Tuscany.
Hire a car, a diesel or a CNG one if possible. Fuel in Italy is very expensive, much more than in US.

4- Eating out
If you need to stick to a lower budget, do not despair as in Tuscany it is possible to eat at very fair prices for there are many "Pizza al Taglio", shops where for a few Euros you will be able to eat excellent pizza with fresh beer.

Another option is visiting some Alimentari which can be located at villages or in bigger towns, such as COOP or a Consorzio Agrario. Go to the section of sausages, then choose the bread you like most (in Tuscany we have excellent bread) and prepare it with the most delicious cheese or sausages that our region offers.

And if, when you go out at night, you want to spend little, do not despair as it is also possible. In the summer Tuscany offers many Feste Unit� or Sagre in which it is possible to eat at prices more than appropriate: (10-15 Euros).

Well Friends,

enjoy Tuscany!

Castiglione D'Orcia and Bagni San Filippo. (Sylvia visiting Tuscany)

Yesterday morning, departing from my Villa in Monticchiello, whose beauty and comfort as well as stupendous service they give their guests still captivates me, I decided to go on an excursion by car to Castiglione D'Orcia and Bagni San Filippo.

Villa Montecchiello is so well situated that by car all towns of Val D'Orcia are within easy reach, each with its peculiarities making it hard to say which one is the most beautiful and interesting.

Castiglione D'Orcia is a very old and precious town. It was a fortress, dominated by the Aldobrandeschi in the 1^st century. From the park next to the fortress ruins situated atop a hill, there are marvellous vistas dominating the whole town, the nearby Fortress of Tentennano and Monte Amiata. It makes true pleasure.
The little streets of Castiglione D�Orcia are made of cobblestones and in the heart of town there is an original and pretty square, known as Piazza Il Vecchietta, an artist of the 15th century that as many other humanists of the Renaissance in Tuscany , was a prodigy in painting as well as in sculpture and architecture.
In the square I was visiting the town hall that extends from one side to the other of the square, creating an emblematic atmosphere. Besides I visited the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Magdalena and the Renaissance Chiesa di I Santi Stefano e Degna, considered the most important in town, as until recently it housed sacred masterpieces by Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti, today under restoration in Siena.
In the meanwhile, I got terrible hungry, so after visiting the shops and handicrafts galleries of town, where very tasteful and affordable specialities are sold, I took a car and head for a restaurant that the very charming owner of one of the shops had recommended. You cannot imagine how enchanting and polite the people I am meeting here are�
The restaurant is "I tre Rioni" and is situated in Campiglia D'Orcia, a very little nearby village.
It is an elegant Bed and Breakfast, with a restaurant where to eat superlatively.
I eat pecorino salad (an exquisite typical Tuscan sheep cheese) with pears and rucula, and after that a very tender veal escalope with authentic aromatic and delightful forest mushroom ("funghi porcini"), all of that accompanied by a very fresh and excellent white wine: Collazzi Bianco di Montepulciano. After the dessert and coffee, the maitre invited me to drink a drop herb acquavite, a strong liqueur yet of a very delicious flavour.
I left the restaurant so pleased, not only because of the liqueur...but for the food had been stupendous and the relationship quality/price is very fair. I spent �35 including tip.

Bagni San Filippo is a very little and pretty town with a one-of-a-kind scenery, because of the whitish limestone deposits surrounding the thermal baths. They were already very prestigious in the Ancient Romans epoch and were restored in the 16^th century, under Cosme I Medici�s orders. In the "La Mandragora" by Maquiavelo there is a passage devoted to them (another book to read in Monticchiello after dinner).

This town has five springs of sulphurous waters of important curative properties whose temperature reaches 52� C. There are endless options of spa hotels chosen by the Italians and foreigners to enjoy healthy and relaxing holidays.

The following foreigner will be me, loaded with books and good music...emerging from water fresh as a daisy. Wait and see how some good writer includes me in a novel.

Sylvia