My husband and I will be in Tuscany in 3 weeks and have spent hours scouring through travel books/magazines planning our itinerary. We have the basics planned however, we'd like to know of any hidden gems off the beaten path in Tuscany that fodorites absolutely loved. We are in Tuscany for 10 days, based in Chianti and armed with a vehicle. Thanks!!!

I will top my toscana suggestions and 10 favorite things to do in Florence postings. My favorites off the beaten path:<BR><BR>San Galgano<BR>San Antimo<BR>Drinking Brunello at Enotecca Fortezza in Montalcino<BR>Monte Oliveto Maggiore<BR>Il Pestello restaurant<BR>Antica Delizie in Castellina for Gelato<BR>Isole di Abbadia<BR>Bar Orso in Monteriggioni<BR>Voltera<BR>Pep Bizzarie in Castellina for ceramics<BR>Capella Brancacci in Florence<BR>Santa Maria Maddelena degli Pazzi for Perugino Freschi<BR>Trattoria Cibreo (Not the Ristorante)<BR>Furlo<BR><BR>Details in my two posts

With a car, you should visit the following true hidden gems:<BR>-Northern Tuscany: Vicopisano, Collodi, and Artimino.<BR>-Central Tuscany: Lucignano, Monterchi, Foiana della Chiana.<BR>-Southern Tuscany: Arcidosso, Radicofani, Montemerano.<BR><BR>Even if you get to see only a few of these, you'll be rewarded with a wonderful experience of true, charming Tuscan villages that are much like they were long ago.

Wayne & Dean,<BR><BR>Thank you! These were just the kind of suggestions we were hoping to get. We look forward to exploring the countryside and checking out some of the above mentioned places! <BR><BR>Jill

Wonderful suggestions, Dean and Wayne. More, anyone?

Hi Jill. I highly second Dean's recommendations of San Antimo (a beautiful abbey set in equally beautiful countryside not too far south of Montalcino), and the hilltown of Volterra. The road to Volterra (#68) runs along a ridge and has gorgeous scenery. We also liked the Fortezza in Montalcino and the Badia a Coltibuono (Italian for "Good Cultivation", or "Good Harvest") winery in Chianti (it also has a restaurant, and a cooking school run by a woman who's apparently a descendant of the Medicis.) <BR><BR>The hilltown of Cortona is not exactly off the beaten path, but we thought it was a real gem. <BR><BR>The very small town of Bagno Vignoni, near Montalcino, is unique since its "town square" is actually a thermal bath (you can't go in it though.) <BR><BR>You'll have a wonderful time driving around Tuscany.

You have some real expert advice above. I would merely add Bagno Vignoni and Barga--it is north of Lucca. Use Montalcino as you base for south Tuscany and you will have a great location to explore. Good Luck !

topping

To see pictures of some of the places suggested above, go to your local bookstore and find a copy of The most Beautiful Small Villages in Tuscany--part of a series of Most Beautiful Small Villages books of photos. A list of recommended places is useful so that you can decide to quickly detour as you see a sign for one while driving along. But it helps to actually see some pictures when you're trying to decide which ones to actually plan to visit. Enjoy. I bet there's nary a small village in the whole of Tuscany that isn't someone's "special find" Perhaps you'll find your own and tell us all about it when you return.

topping for Jill.

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If you love antiques/flea market finds the antique fair is held in Arezzo the first Sunday of the month. It was wonderful and huge.<BR>Restaurant recommendation Ristoro Di Lamole in Lamole, Filippo was wonderful as is the view and food. It's a bit hard to find off the beaten path.

Thanks everyone for the great insight, 9 days and counting!!!<BR><BR>Jill

Go to bagno Vignoni!!! At one end of the town the water bubbles up from the natural hot spring. It flows down the town and you can not only soak your feet in the therapeutic water, but you can also swium in it with two options: 1) Pay few dollars (well worth it) and go to hotel with olympic size pool that is all water directed from the spring. It is warm and great for your skin! 2) Over the cliff where the water flows, you can drive down and you can go in natural bath.<BR><BR>Do not forget to have lunch or dinner at La Parata!!!<BR><BR>Other spots we love are: Pienza, Montalcino, Sam Gimignano and the beach town of Castiglione Della Pescaia. For around 15 dollars, you can go to a private beach club and get three chairs and umbrella, plus have lunch at Italians version of a snack bar, whole stuffed fish caught that day, grilled calamari, wine, all for dirt cheap!

topping for more great recommendations. thanks.

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Southwestern Tuscany - Sovrano, Sorano, Saturnia and Pitigliano

Just got back from Tuscany, and I second (or third) the recommendations for the San Antimo abbey, as well as the Enoteca Fortezza in Montalcino. The Brunellos (esp. the 97's) are fabulous, and you can order a wonderful tray of cheeses, meats and bread to enjoy while tasting your wines. <BR><BR>We also loved Pienza, altho I know it's not exactly "hidden." But it was a lovely town, with flowers everywhere. We had a fantastic dinner at Trattoria Latte di Luna - we were very lucky to be squeezed in w/o a reservation, but they turned away many people as we were eating, so I would recommend reseverving ahead. I don't have the address, but it was recommended in the Frommer's guidebook, so it's probably on their site somewhere as well.<BR><BR>Another wonderful restaurant was Ristorante Pietrafitta, on the SS222 just outside of Castellina. Everything was incredibly fresh, and although it's definitely Tuscan cooking, the menu has some twists on what you find at many other places. We went for lunch on our wine-tasting drive through Chianti, sat on the terrace and enjoyed the gorgeous views and wonderful wine for hours.<BR><BR>Hope you have an incredible trip - we certainly did!!

Jill, <BR> Go to the Temple San Biagio. It is now a Catholic church, but so awesome. It is down the street with the trees just lining the roadway...really cool. Also, there is a restaurant next to the temple which is so great. Lots of local fare. The temple is on the main highway (I forget the name) between Pienza and Montepuliciano. Also, stop along the road and the Pecorino wholesalers. The cheese is less expensive. There was one right near the Temple. You will have so much fun...my fiance and I went Easter week this year...I wish I were you!

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