PRIVATE TOURS IN PIENZA, MONTALCINO AND MONTEPULCIANO - FLORENCE TOURS

PIENZA MONTALCINO MONTEPULCIANO TOURS

After leaving Florence, we head in the direction of the “crete senesi”, one of the most beautiful areas in the Tuscan countryside.  So beautiful that the postcards made here seem more like perfect landscape paintings. Our first stop is the town of Montepulciano, which was built on volcanic rock, from top to bottom, and stands on a ridge at 605 metres above sea level. The town is surrounded by walls and fortification designed by Antonio da Sangalla in 1500 as ordered by Cosimo I. Montepulciano is mainly known for its impressive Renaissance buildings, for the elegant beauty of its churches and for its “Vino Nobile”, one of the most highly considered Tuscan wines even at an international level. The town center was developed along 1 ½ kilometres and stretches from Porta al Prato to Piazza Grande. The way is slanted by a margin of 50/60 metres. The houses are settled around this area on the short, narrow, and steep streets. Among the treasures to see: the Duomo (cathedral), the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), the temple of the Madonna of San Biagio, the church of St. Agostino, etc.

 Following a short trip by car we come to the lovely town of Pienza, recognized by UNESCO as having a world famous cultural and natural patrimony. Pienza is located at the top of a hill, from where you can take in the gorgeous view of the Val D’Orcia. Pienza owes its founding to Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who became Pope Pio II in 1458. The town’s main piazza takes his name and is the cornerstone of the town. ( It can also be seen in Romeo and Juliet directed by Franco Zeffirelli) It is a trapezoid shape, made of bricks and from here you can admire the Duomo, Piccolomini Palazzo, the church of San Francesco, etc. 

Strolling through the charming streets of the center, you will find street names such as “Via dell’Amore, del Bacio, della Fortuna” which means, of Love, Kiss, Lucky. The streets are also filled with craft shops, restaurants serving typical Tuscan fare, shops selling “pecorino di Pienza” and wine, of course. “Pecorino” is sheep’s milk cheese, but here it is put in a pit to mature. Most shops feature many different varieties of cheeses and wines and are happy to dole out samples.

Continuing on our journey in the Tuscan countryside with its magnificent scenery, we arrive in Montalcino (Montalcino tour), home of “Brunello”, an aristocratic red wine produced with Sangiovese grapes of the same name. Everything revolves around wine-production in this town, as you can see from the numerous shops and wine-bars where you can taste and buy Brunello. 
The “Rocca” is a very imposing castle enclosed by walls with angular towers. It sits upon a hill at over 500 meters and dominates the valleys of d’Arbia and d’Orcia. In the center of town in the Piazza del Popolo, you come to the “Palazzo dei Priori” from the 1300’s and not far you find three churches: Sant’Agostino, Sant’Egidio, and the Duomo (cathedral).

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