Meredith

We are renting a villa in Montepulciano for three overnights in November. I found some thoughts about this town in previous postings, but I'm looking for more details. What kind of sites/churches/art work/restaurants/nightlife/whatever does it have? Thanks for any help. (For the record, we won't be spending those days exclusively in Montepulciano, but plan to travel by car throughout the region. Any nearby, off-the-beaten-path towns that we shouldn't miss?)

Larry

Hi, Meredith, <BR> <BR>We are leaving Friday so my suggestions are based on a post by Lisa Peretz who has been very helpful. She recommended Montalcinio, climbing the fortezza, going to Poggio Antico, (we are having lunch there) and Fattoria dei Barbi. We like Banfi wines so we are going to Banfi Castle as well. We are spending two days in Chianti which isn't far. e-mail me early November and I will fill you in. <BR> <BR>Larry

Paulo

Regarding sights to be visited/seen, you may consider: <BR> <BR>in MONTALCINO: The best known site is outside town, the splendid Madonna di San Biagio church; also very nice is the Piazza Grande with the Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo Nobili-Tarugi, Cathedral and tower (nice view from the top). Having time available, a short visit to Sant'Agostino church is also called for. Finally, there's a small museum with a mixed bag (Etruscan remains, paintings, terracota pieces, etc). <BR> <BR>MONTE OLIVETO: splending cloisters in this abbey, with a superb cicle of frescos by Luca Signoreli and Sodoma. The stall in the abbey church are also worth viewing <BR> <BR>SANT'ANTONIO ABBEY: it must be the oldest in the region (9th C) and the site where it stands amid trees is very nice. <BR> <BR>in MONTALCINO: besides the fortress referred to by Larry, and some Romanesque and Gothic churches, there's the Palazzo Comunale and a small museum (paintings, sculptures, ceramics, etc) that may also be worth a visit. A stroll through Via dell'Opio and Via di Voltaia is a must (several palazzi and churches). <BR> <BR>in PIENZA: Cathedral & museum and Palazzo Piccolomini (display rooms, library, coin collection, etc) and Palazzo Comunale. <BR> <BR>in CHIUSI: Etruscan Museum, Cathedral & Museum; there are also quite a few Etruscan tombs outside town but we weren't allowed to see any. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Paule

Paolo, are you referring to the Sant'Antimo abbey? If so, then not only is it a beautiful old building, but the monks perform masses in Gregorian chants regularly. The schedule is pretty frequent, and if you arrive, you're bound to run into it sooner or later. When I was there, there were numerous tour groups, but when the chants were begun, there was not a peep beyond the singing. And there really are locals who attend; it is not done for the tourists.

Paulo

You're right in correcting me Paule. It's indeed tha Sant'Antimo Abbey. Unfortunately, the only time we were there we missed the chant by minutes. Of course, the old building in itself is enchanting but what particularly impressed me was the beauty of the whole isolated and peaceful (well ... tour buses appart) site: hill & abbey amid olive and cypress groves. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Vern

Hi Meredith- <BR>While in Montepulciano visit a small winery called Gattavecchi at the one end of town. The owner is very nice and will let you look at the wine cellar (more like a cave). Have him tell you the history of the cellar, which he claims dates back to the Etruscans 2700 years ago, and of the building which was a manastery 800 years ago. Also, the wine is very good. We bought bottles of their white & red Vino Nobile and they were excellent and very inexpensive, 4000 to 5000 lire. He will give you free tastings of all the wines they sell. Have a great trip.

Meredith

Thank you, Vern - that sounds wonderful! And thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions! <BR> <BR>Countdown to Italy: exactly 5 weeks from today!!