I can't decide between staying in Montalcino or Montepulciano for our 2 nights between Florence and Rome (also planned for other night in Orvieto but cannot find hotel availability.....even though our trip is months away in May)

Anyway, I have never been to either place, both sound lovely, so for those who have been to both, if you would share which you prefer and why I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Both are wonderful; you can't go wrong either way!

Personally, I prefer Montalcino because it is smaller and, for me, easier to walk around in. Also Brunello is my very favorite wine, and I really enjoy the tasting room in the Montalcino fortress! Some of my favorite wineries are closer to Montalcino, which makes getting safely to and fro much easier.

But like I said, both places are terrific.

Both are lovely Tuscan hilltowns. I would choose Montepulciano--we've stayed there four times and will return in March. I think Montepulciano has a little more to offer within the village itself--the church of Madonna di San Biagio on the outskirts is my favorite in all of Italy. We also like Montepulciano's proximity to Pienza, another favorite village. But don't miss at least a visit to Montelcino--you can't go wrong with either one!

Have you considered Pienza or San Quirico d'Orcia? They are in the same area, and I like them slightly better as a base for a driving trip becuse they're easier to get in and out of. On the other hand, our hotel in Montalcino had a magnificent view.

I've been to both many times. Like Roamer said, there is more 'stuff" in Montepulciano. However, I think Montalcino is in a little better location if you want to do some touring in the beautiful area around Sant Antimo Abbey and also north of Montalcino (in addition to the Val d'Orcia between San Quirico & Montepulciano).

Both villages & locations are excellent.

Split the difference & stay in San Quirico or Pienza.

Stu Dudley

We chose Montepulciano for no other reason than the apartment we wanted to rent was there but we loved it. That said, we also enjoyed our day trip and dinner in Montalcino.

We visited Pienze twice but it wouldn't have been my choice to stay there over the other two towns.

If you do a search on Montepulciano on here, you'll come up with tons of stuff.

Whatever your decision, I envy you your trip!

Flip a coin. Montepulciano would be my choice but both are very centrally located for what you want to see.

In Orvieto, have you looked into Locanda Rosati, which is a few miles on the outskirts?

I stayed in Montalcino on my last trip and while it served as a great base for the area....was not my favorite town. The views are stunning for sure but I found Montipulciano more interesting. Personal opinion of course.

Pienza was also lovely and San Quirico had a very charming untouristic feel to it.

In Orvieto you could try a B&B that was recommended to me from the Slow Travel site. Valentina is very hospitable and the local is quite central.

http://www.argoweb.it/bedandbreakfas...entina.uk.html

Good luck with your planning

I enjoyed both towns but would personally pick Pienza or San Quirico, as I enjoyed both slightly more than either Montepulciano/Montalcino.

Tracy

All are good places to stay, but my choice is Pienza.

Another vote for Locanda Rosati in Orvieto if you will have a car.

I stayed in Montepulciano last year and visited Montalcino. I loved, loved, loved Montepulciano and although I don't think it is the perfect base for visits to other hilltowns it worked for us. It had views to die for, great food and the locals we met were warm and fun. It really felt like "home" for the four days we were there.

Thanks for the replies. I guess I may have resort to flipping a coin for the M&M decision and will check on the Locandi Rosati for Orvieto as recommended.

Appreciate the help.

Also on the outskirts of Orvieto is La Badia. I've not stayed there, but we checked it out. Quite interesting!! Used to be a monastery (?)...

I agree that either choice is a winner, with easy access to all the same places and the many splendors of the Crete Senesei (sp?). The biggest difference in my mind is that Montepulciano is more of a city while Montalcino is more of a village/town; Montepulciano has multi-lane streets, stop lights, public transportation-- Montalcino not so much.

We stayed at Hotel Virgilio in Orvieto. It's right next to the Duomo. Budget hotel, not fancy, but fine for us.

Smarty,
I'm sorry but I don't think you're remembering Montepulicano. It has only two 'main' streets, and neither one of them could possibly be two-lane. In fact, vehicles are only allowed into the town with a special permit. If you're walking on the street and you hear a vehicle coming up behind you, you have to step into a doorway, the streets are that narrow -- and those are the main streets! There are no stoplights, and I believe there is one tiny bus.

I'd stay in Montalcino ... smaller, more laid back, and you can visit Montepulciano on a day trip. Montalcino is SMALL and you'll get to know every street in town rather quickly. I think that's a good think. Montepulciano is much larger and has, therefore, far more tourists.

HDM--I was referring to the "greater metro area", not just inside the old walls. The historic centers of both towns are comparable in many ways but it's all that extra sprawl at Montepulciano that marks the difference: to me, one being more of a small city and the other a large village. Sorry for the confusion.

I don't think either town has much sprawl - if any.

Stu Dudley

Oh. Well, we didn't see any of that. We 'lived' in Montepulciano for a week, driving in and out of town regularly, and none of that 'greater metro area'was apparent to us (so much so that, obviously, I didn't even know it was there). Regarding the tourists, all the hotels are outside of the town walls so while the tourists come to town during the day, it's pretty much tourist-free at night when the shops are closed. Of course, there are tourists like us who stayed in town and people who come in for dinner at one of the restaurants, but there's little in the way of night-time activity except for taking a walk, having dinner, going to a cafe. I don't mean to sound like a cheerleader for Montepulciano and, as I've said, I liked Montalcino very much too, but I do want to give my own impressions.