Hello all...a friend of mine is going to Tuscany in February and may have to make a choice between Montalcino and Montepulciano because of time constraints. She definitely wants to go to Pienza though. Can you please advise which of the two you liked best and why? That might help her make a good decision.

Thanks in advance to everyone for all of the great feedback!

We stayed a few nights in Montepulciano, ans spent an afternoon in Montalcino. Both are very beautiful. I think for more than a one day Montepulciano is a better choice. It's bigger, with more options for dining and shopping. Even though both are touristy, Montepulciano seems to be more of a 'real' town. Montalcino seemed to me to cater to the upscale wine trade, and felt a bit stuffy. This whole area is very beautiful, and I would go to any one of the towns in the area with no problem.

We stayed in Montalcino for 3 nights and we too visited Montipulciano as well as several other towns in the region.

If I were to go back, I would stay in Pienza or Montipulciano. Just thought they were more beautiful and Montipulciano had more to see. The buildings were more interesting, more shops and restaurants.

In Feb. no question. I do love Montalcino but Montepulciano is a larger town with more to do, and closer to other sights and to the Autostrada.

Another vote for Montepulciano

Stu Dudley

Thank you all so much.

I will be going to Montalcino on October 1st of next year for 3 nights and will be staying at the Il Giglio hotel, I also had the same question not knowing if to stay in Montalcino or Montepulciano, I read a few of the reports and chose Montalcino. Everytime I read a new thread I start thinking if I should change to Montalcino.

If you are happy with the hotel them maybe you should stay and do a day trip to Montepulciano? October in Montalcino is probably a lot nicer than February when my frien is going. I have also been to both places but asked for advice here because I wanted other views for my friend. My advice for what it's worth is to not drive yourself too crazy..advice that i rarely take when planning my own trips but should

I don't think it makes a big difference where you stay in that region. You should be exploring the entire area between Montalcino & Montepulciano - with a visit to both (plus Pienza, Monticchiello, Sant Antimo Abbey, and perhaps San Quirico). Like everyone said, Montepulciano is bigger and has more interesting architecture. Both have enough restaurants to keep you happy for many days.

Stu Dudley

milkster

I just read your other post about your friend going to Cortona.

If your friend has a time constraint, I would skip Cortona & spend that time in the Val d'Orcia (Montalcino/Pienza/Montepulciano area). I think Montepulciano, Pienza, and perhaps Montalcino are more interesting towns than Cortona, and the countryside is much prettier, IMO.

Stu Dudley

tribi...in the end it all comes down to personal taste. Some people on this board love Montalcino. The hotel you have booked gets very high regards from many at Fodors as well as Slow Travel etc. I thought Montalcino made a good base for the region. I hated the parking situation and it caused us much stress during our stay. I think your hotel may have a valet parking type of arrangement if I'm not mistaken.

Don't stress too much...the view from Montalcino is breathtaking!!

I would agree with Stu that it doesn't make that much difference where you stay. Maybe if you are staying for a week, you might want the largest town, Montepulciano.

You should really visit them all. Each has a slightly different feel. I loved Montalcino (love the Brunello), but would probably be equally happy staying anywhere in the area!

Mikster, you don't say whether your friend plans to visit towns as day trips or if planning to stay. What exactly are the time constraints? They are pretty close together.

Thanks everybody then I will stay in Montalcino a do day trips from there.

My friend is basing in Cortona and then at the end going to Lucca when she will fly home from Pisa the next day. I think she will have five full days in Cortona and she wants to go to Florence and Siena as well as spend time in Corona.

Like I've said numerous times on this forum - I bet that once she gets over to the Val d'Orcia - she will wish she had based there.

Stu Dudley

I agree BUT I will keep mum on that as she has already made up her mind based on a hotel in Cortona that she fell in love with. Plus, this summer I recommended a driving company in Tuscany to some friends that we used previously with my family and loved. My friends got a different driver than we did and didn't like him/it at all so I promised myself that in the future, I would be careful about recommending things, if you know what I mean.