Bob the Navigator's drive in Tuscany?
Sep 11th, 2012, 06:44 AM
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Bob the Navigator's drive in Tuscany?
Bob the Navigator or anyone else that knows - I can't seem to find Bob the Navigator's posting about driving in Tuscany. It was specific to, I believe, driving from Siena to the Montapulciano area and included road names and place to pull over and look at. I would really like to find that posting before we leave for our trip on Sept. 25. Thanks for any help!
Sep 11th, 2012, 07:51 AM
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From Stu Dudley
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscan...ng_tuscany.htm
Also From slowtrav
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/cypress_roads.htm
docdan on Jun 26, 10 at 9:33pm
Just spent two days in Montepulciano, and was unable to vosot La Foce, which sounds like it is something to consider. however, we did the following circuit, which was recommended to me by another traevel on her 4th visit to Tuscany, and we enjoyed it greatly:
This can be done in Six or so hours. Go south to the Abbaye Sant'Antimo(11th Century)Proceed further south, to Monte Amiata, crossing the Orcia River and train tracks. A few KM after that, turn left and go to Castiglione D'Orcia, clinbing the delightful 12th Century fortress there for a view you'll never forget. Proceed North to Bagno Vignoli, a small mineral water pool for free is on the dirt road just south of the town, but the town itself is lovely to stroll around. Then proceed east through Spedaletto then take the left to go north to the small village of Montichiello. A lunch at La Porta is highly recommended, as it has good food and a great view, and if they are full, a few restaurants up the hill are equally good, but without the view. The little town itself is just too cute. And the terrain around this little town is gorgeous. Then follow signs for Montepulciano. As you get real close to the center of the city (Centrale) the road will fork right to the Centrale, left towards Pienza, and a smaller street is straight ahead to the Temple "Bigio di San Biagio" is a real treat. Exterior and interior are wonderful, and this is in many guide books as highly recommended. A stroll around the Centrale of Montepulciano is nice, but has some steep climbs, but right in the center Piazza are enotecas where you can try the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, similar to Brunella, but it is fun to try to taste the difference. Then proceed in the direction of Pienza, and just a few miles after leaving Montepulciano you'll notice yellow signs with a sheep symbol on it and the word "Cugusi" - this goes to a farm with a showroom with the famous Picorino cheese in it. If you like cheese - you'll love this stuff. Now just cruise leisurely past Pienza and San Quirico D'orcia back to Montalcino. Stopping in those lovely towns if you wish. You will now be tired enough to crash into your rooms
bobthenavigator on Jun 25, 10 at 7:56am
You cannot do it all in one day--as you well know. I like the drive from Siena past Asciano in the Crete and on to Oliveto Maggiore by 0930. Then, the back roads via Montisi and Santa Anna in Camprena[ where ENGLISH PATIENT was shot] and finally to Pienza. You decide the direction back home based on time and weather. Take your camera and be awake as you drive west from Pienza to San Quirico for the famed image of the Capella in the field about 3 miles west of Pienza on the south side.
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscan...ng_tuscany.htm
Also From slowtrav
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/tuscany/cypress_roads.htm
docdan on Jun 26, 10 at 9:33pm
Just spent two days in Montepulciano, and was unable to vosot La Foce, which sounds like it is something to consider. however, we did the following circuit, which was recommended to me by another traevel on her 4th visit to Tuscany, and we enjoyed it greatly:
This can be done in Six or so hours. Go south to the Abbaye Sant'Antimo(11th Century)Proceed further south, to Monte Amiata, crossing the Orcia River and train tracks. A few KM after that, turn left and go to Castiglione D'Orcia, clinbing the delightful 12th Century fortress there for a view you'll never forget. Proceed North to Bagno Vignoli, a small mineral water pool for free is on the dirt road just south of the town, but the town itself is lovely to stroll around. Then proceed east through Spedaletto then take the left to go north to the small village of Montichiello. A lunch at La Porta is highly recommended, as it has good food and a great view, and if they are full, a few restaurants up the hill are equally good, but without the view. The little town itself is just too cute. And the terrain around this little town is gorgeous. Then follow signs for Montepulciano. As you get real close to the center of the city (Centrale) the road will fork right to the Centrale, left towards Pienza, and a smaller street is straight ahead to the Temple "Bigio di San Biagio" is a real treat. Exterior and interior are wonderful, and this is in many guide books as highly recommended. A stroll around the Centrale of Montepulciano is nice, but has some steep climbs, but right in the center Piazza are enotecas where you can try the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, similar to Brunella, but it is fun to try to taste the difference. Then proceed in the direction of Pienza, and just a few miles after leaving Montepulciano you'll notice yellow signs with a sheep symbol on it and the word "Cugusi" - this goes to a farm with a showroom with the famous Picorino cheese in it. If you like cheese - you'll love this stuff. Now just cruise leisurely past Pienza and San Quirico D'orcia back to Montalcino. Stopping in those lovely towns if you wish. You will now be tired enough to crash into your rooms
bobthenavigator on Jun 25, 10 at 7:56am
You cannot do it all in one day--as you well know. I like the drive from Siena past Asciano in the Crete and on to Oliveto Maggiore by 0930. Then, the back roads via Montisi and Santa Anna in Camprena[ where ENGLISH PATIENT was shot] and finally to Pienza. You decide the direction back home based on time and weather. Take your camera and be awake as you drive west from Pienza to San Quirico for the famed image of the Capella in the field about 3 miles west of Pienza on the south side.
Mar 15th, 2014, 05:39 AM
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Here is some more driving in south Tuscany that my help:
MONTEPULCIANO AND SOUTH TUSCANY:
We drove to Tuscany with lunch in Siena---Paul had never seen it and we all count it among our favorite Italy destinations. There is nothing quite like lunch and people watching in the Campo. We arrived in Montepulciano at 17:00 and found our apartments in the south end of town. Be sure you have good driving directions, which we did thanks to the thoughtful owner, Giacomo Stuart. We had both of his apartments that are side by side in one building. This may be one of the best values in all of Tuscany. The views are terrific and Giacomo is a big help. Both apartments also have internet stations. http://www.politian.com/
We spent six nights in Montepulciano---a definitive Tuscan hill town of about 12,000 people. Two of our days were spent exploring the town itself--read your guide book for highlights.. We found the town to be most enjoyable. Be sure to catch the orange local bus service to get an overall look and feel for the town. It runs every :30 and stops at about a dozen places in town, including the corner of Piazza Grande—the heart of town. It is definitely a real “hill town” that will test your legs. Some of the highlights for us included:
• Wine tasting---all over town, but especially in Piazza Grande.
• The wine bar at Locanda San Francesco
• Memorable meals at Osteria Acquacheta, Café Poliziano[lunch twice], and Ristorante Al Quattro Venti
The most enjoyable part of the trip for me were the 3 days trips we had planned from our base location in Montepulciano. If you only had 3 days to spend in south Tuscany, and love rural landscapes, small medieval villages, and good Tuscan food, then here are 3 great days for you to consider:
• Montepulciano in the AM, lunch at the wonderful Osteria La Porta in Monticchiello http://www.osterialaporta.it/monticchiello.en.php, and then a tour of La Foce gardens at 15:00 [only on Wednesdays]
Call ahead to book space on her lovely terrace. Be there by 12:30
• Begin in Pienza in the AM, and then drive north via Santa Anna in Camprena[English Patient site] to the charming village of Castelmuzio and here for lunch: http://www.locandadicasalmustia.it/ We discovered Castelmuzio thanks to Isabella Moricciani who was kind enough to show us her spectacular new rental place in the village: http://www.casamoricciani.com/ [ also has 2 smaller apartments].
Not cheap, but this is the nicest place I have seen in rural Tuscany, and well located for exploring much of south Tuscany. End your day with a visit to the Abbey at Oliveto Maggiore after 15:00. Take your camera to capture some spectacular Tuscan landscapes.
• Start the day in Bagno Vignoni, then to the Abbey at Sant Antimo, and then take the white road from there to the tiny village of San Angelo in Colle for lunch here http://www.trattoriailpozzo.com/
My veal dish with porcini was among the best I can recall. End the day in the wine city of Montalcino---a long but great day in Tuscany.
These 3 days will give you the best of rural scenery in off-the-path Tuscany and some great food as well—minus the tour bus crowds.
MONTEPULCIANO AND SOUTH TUSCANY:
We drove to Tuscany with lunch in Siena---Paul had never seen it and we all count it among our favorite Italy destinations. There is nothing quite like lunch and people watching in the Campo. We arrived in Montepulciano at 17:00 and found our apartments in the south end of town. Be sure you have good driving directions, which we did thanks to the thoughtful owner, Giacomo Stuart. We had both of his apartments that are side by side in one building. This may be one of the best values in all of Tuscany. The views are terrific and Giacomo is a big help. Both apartments also have internet stations. http://www.politian.com/
We spent six nights in Montepulciano---a definitive Tuscan hill town of about 12,000 people. Two of our days were spent exploring the town itself--read your guide book for highlights.. We found the town to be most enjoyable. Be sure to catch the orange local bus service to get an overall look and feel for the town. It runs every :30 and stops at about a dozen places in town, including the corner of Piazza Grande—the heart of town. It is definitely a real “hill town” that will test your legs. Some of the highlights for us included:
• Wine tasting---all over town, but especially in Piazza Grande.
• The wine bar at Locanda San Francesco
• Memorable meals at Osteria Acquacheta, Café Poliziano[lunch twice], and Ristorante Al Quattro Venti
The most enjoyable part of the trip for me were the 3 days trips we had planned from our base location in Montepulciano. If you only had 3 days to spend in south Tuscany, and love rural landscapes, small medieval villages, and good Tuscan food, then here are 3 great days for you to consider:
• Montepulciano in the AM, lunch at the wonderful Osteria La Porta in Monticchiello http://www.osterialaporta.it/monticchiello.en.php, and then a tour of La Foce gardens at 15:00 [only on Wednesdays]
Call ahead to book space on her lovely terrace. Be there by 12:30
• Begin in Pienza in the AM, and then drive north via Santa Anna in Camprena[English Patient site] to the charming village of Castelmuzio and here for lunch: http://www.locandadicasalmustia.it/ We discovered Castelmuzio thanks to Isabella Moricciani who was kind enough to show us her spectacular new rental place in the village: http://www.casamoricciani.com/ [ also has 2 smaller apartments].
Not cheap, but this is the nicest place I have seen in rural Tuscany, and well located for exploring much of south Tuscany. End your day with a visit to the Abbey at Oliveto Maggiore after 15:00. Take your camera to capture some spectacular Tuscan landscapes.
• Start the day in Bagno Vignoni, then to the Abbey at Sant Antimo, and then take the white road from there to the tiny village of San Angelo in Colle for lunch here http://www.trattoriailpozzo.com/
My veal dish with porcini was among the best I can recall. End the day in the wine city of Montalcino---a long but great day in Tuscany.
These 3 days will give you the best of rural scenery in off-the-path Tuscany and some great food as well—minus the tour bus crowds.
