We're spending 5 nights in Montepulciano & using it as a home base. We're committed to a one day trip to Asisi in Umbria but want suggestions for "must sees" for our other 4 days. We'd appreciate any suggestions for sightseeing, restaurants & which townss are the best to visit.Then we're off to Venice for 3 days (also our firsttime). What should we NOT miss? Thanks for the help. Junie

Do a little reading up on the various towns so you can get an idea which are of most interest to you. Here are a few suggestions for day trips from Montepulciano:

A long day with a fair amount of driving: Leave early and spend the morning in Volterra, have lunch there, see San Gimignano in the afternoon and have dinner there. Stroll around town after dinner when most of the tourists have departed.

Spend a whole day in Siena.

Closer to home: See the towns nearby -- Pienza, Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino. Have dinner in Montalcino after wine tasting at the Fortezza.

Spend a day in the Chianti countryside. More wine-tasting, lots of gorgeous scenery. Make a stop at Monteriggioni.

There are lots of other possibilities if you want to drive further. Other excursions into Umbria (Orvieto is wonderful) or farther afield in Tuscany (Pisa, for example). You could also do a day trip to Florence -- if you have never been there and it is not on your itinerary, I would not miss it.

Park your car in the Piazzale Michaelangelo (lots of space, no charge) and after admiring the spectacular view, walk down into Florence, then taxi back up at the end of the day when you are tired.

These are just the places I have been. I'm sure others will suggest even more. You can also do worse than just get in the car and drive, get off the main road, and see where it takes you. Getting lost in Tuscany is a photographer's paradise!

Here I gave this nice, long, informative answer, and the post shows zero replies and is sinking rapidly. Maybe this will register.

Great answer Marilyn--it deserves better. Junie, do not miss the abbey at Mt. Oliveto Maggiore. You have picked a great base location.

GReat advice Marilyn....this should bring it back to the top.

I would also add to plan being in Montepulciano on Thursday to be a part of Market Day.

We spent a week in an apt in Montepulcian and loved it.

another vote for Orvieto.

In Florence, you can take the no 12 bus from Piazzale Michaelangelo to Pzza Ferruci and transfer to the "D" bus going west to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens. From there, cross the Ponte Vecchio into town.

Pick up the "D" bus going east at the south side of the Ponte Vecchio to Pzza Ferucci and take the No 13 bus back to Piazzale Michaelangelo.

You can also get the no. 13 to Piazzale Michaelangelo at the corner of Corso dei Tintorri and Via de' Benci (just before the Ponte Alle Grazie bridge).

Get bus tickets at shops and cafes that have the orange ATAF sticker. Cost 1E for 60 min.

In Florence, you will have a great meal at Il Ritrovo Via de? Pucci 4/A

In Orvieto, you will find one of Italy's best restaurants, I Sette Consoli Pzza Sant?Angelo 1A phone/fax 011 39 0763 343911

Enjoy your trip.

Junie!!! Don't you just love this! Tons of great advice from those in the know. Are you flying into Rome? If so, you are in a great position for a stop in Orvieto for a browse and lunch before you get to Montepulciano. The Duomo in Orvieto is among the most beautiful in Italy, especially its facade and the newly restored side chapel (tickets are purchased at the little shop directly behind you as you face the Duomo)The scenery from this town is awesome as you ascend to the top. Ciao bella!!

I was in Tuscany last year - we spent only half an evening/overnight in Sienna and it wasn't enough - spend the whole day - you can skip the night stay if you wish - but the town is well worth it..

If you can visit Chianti - it is amazing - simply spectacular - and I would highly recommend a farmhouse stay overnight - we had the best time - our farmhouse hosts were gracious and the farmhouse itself was like only $30 and simply stunning - amazing views of the vineyards...two bedrooms, private sitting room upstairs/bathrooms/kitchen...too good. We go it off of Rick Steves' 2003 Italy book + we checked venere.com also..

Junie, ttt

ttt for junie

I agree with almost everything already said. I loved Montelpulciano and wished we had more time so don't short change it. Siena deserves at least a whole day. It's somewhat on the way to San G. so you may even be able to schedule additional time on your way there or back. Montalcino and Pienza are close and nice. I'd personnally skip Cortona-to me the other cities had more to offer although it does have a nice small museum with great Fra Angelico pieces. If you have to chose between Florence or time in Chianti, Chianti is closer but Florence is well worth the additional travel time.

Ozzie, (Junie) If you are interested in seeing Montalcino, you will not want to miss Sant'Antimo, a beautiful and hauntingly gorgeous abbey nearby. Stop in to hear the Cistertian Monks chanting the Office. The setting is full of stately cypress trees weaving a tranquill path around the site. A favorite of mine. You will love your Montepulciano stay as it is so near Pienza, Monte Olivete Maggiore with the fantastic cloister frescoes by Il Sedoma a famous Renaissance painter, depicting the life cycle of St Benedict. AND the ride there is spectacular. Wish we were going too!!