vacay

We are planning a two week Trip to Italy in September, and we are planning 3 nights in Tuscany. I have 3 nights reserved at Villa Bordoni in Greve. My husband loves Chianti, and there is also a Chianti Classico festival at that time, so I thought that would be a good location to base ourselves. I keep reading about how beautiful the Montalcino area is though, so now I'm wondering.... should I stay in Greve 2 nights, then travel to Montalcino ( we'll have a car) for one night? Or should I stay in Greve and just do a day trip to that area? Or is that too much, should I save that area for another trip? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

cmeyer54

our family spent 5 days in montalcino (actually at a agritourismo outside of town) and loved it! the abby at San Antimo, multiple vineyards, small surrounding villages, etc were wonderful. Our lodging was a 2 bedroom apartment, there was a pool, tasting room, onsite restaurant, etc.

Joan_Hurst

Montalcino is a wonderful place to visit, but you don't have to stay there, if checking in and out will take too much time from your sightseeing. The enoteca in the middle of Montalcino is worth a visit to enjoy the wine, and there are a number of good restaurants in the area, including the one at Locanda del'Amarosa in Sinalunga, a beautiful small village that has been turned into an inn. Montalcino has an interesting look to it as the rock formations have been compared to moon rocks. It makes for great wine, but I think you are doing well in terms of scenic beauty to base yourselves in Greve. Hope you enjoys day trips to Sienna other hill towns during your visit, too.

kybourbon

I prefer Montalcino (better views IMHO) over Greve, but I like their Brunello more than Chianti. When I went to the Chianti festival last September it was very hot. Drinking red wine in the heat isn't all that pleasant. They didn't have an area to sit and relax in the shade, just wine booths in rows. The only places to sit were at restaurants in the piazza.

HappyTrvlr

You can't go wrong but we prefer Chianti because of it's green landscape

StuDudley

I much prefer the Val d'Orcia over Chianti.

Montalcino is nice, but so are Pienza, San Quirico, and Montepulciano to explore the Val d'Orcia.

I also prefer the Rosso de Montalcino & the Vino Noble de Montepulciano over Chiantis (can't afford Brunellos).

Stu Dudley

Centralparkgirl

We stayed three nights near Castellina several years ago and five nights outside of Montepulciano last May. We enjoyed both areas, but enjoyed the latter more despite my really liking Chianti Classico. I would stay in one area only. If you do stay in Chianti, visit a small town called Volpaia. There's a lovely wine/olive oil tour and tasting. The old town is amazing - pristine without any touristy shops. There's a lovely restaurant next door for lunch (not the restaurant owned by the winery).

Ackislander

I agree with StuDudley, but either is fine. We stayed in Val d'Orcia and did a daytrip to Greve. Brilliant lunch on a hotel balcony overlooking the market.

TravLerr

Hopefully your itinerary includes Umbria. If so, do not overlook Montefalco. Located approximately half way between Assisi and Spoleto, just west of the SS3 highway, this beautiful town does not suffer the bus crowds that the Tuscan towns do. The wines and scenery of the region certainly merit your consideration.

bobthenavigator

The mid-Chianti area is often referred to as " Chiantishire". Does that tell you anything?
With 3 days I would stay in San Quirico or Pienza for best day trip options.