Pienza or Montepulciano? And advice on airport logistics (departure)
 

Hello All,

I have a multi part question here:

Part 1) I’m wondering if anyone can draw some contrast between Pienza and Montepulciano. I understand that Pienza is flatter and that can make negotiating a car in and out easier, and that it is a bit more centrally located. Here are some specific ways I’d like to know how they stack up but I welcome other insights as well.

The views – does one offer superior outward views of the valley/countryside?

Liveliness/activity in town – does one town shut down earlier than the other? Does either one have more folks still out strolling and hanging out in cafes later into the evening than the other?

Flowers/beauty – this might be silly but when I Google image Pienza I see more flowers & plants on sills, planter boxes and more climbing plants along walls & buildings, etc. than when I Google image Montepulciano. Is this accurate? Is Pienza more flowery?

I am struggling between these two, and I don’t think I can go wrong with either one but I do need something to inspire a final choice.

Part 2) I have gotten the impression that Siena is best at night, both because day trippers have gone and because it lights up nicely at night. I don’t know if I should make Siena a day trip from Montepulciano/Pienza or stay 1-2 nights in Siena. This is still tentative, but I’m looking at between 6-8 nights total in this part of Tuscany. Do I stay 2 of those nights in Siena? This also hinges on getting to the airport in either Pisa or Florence. Pisa is preferred for flight schedule. Is it possible to leave our hotel in Siena bound for either of those airports for a same day AM flight whether by train/bus or by private driver? Or must we stay in our departure city the night before? If we must stay the night in the departure city then that probably dictates keeping Siena a day trip as I do not want 3 different overnight stays inside of 7 days.

Part 3) Does anyone have any experience with airbnb? I have not used them before and I don’t know anything about their reputation. I browsed some good looking and well priced properties on their site though. And how crucial is air conditioning in Pienza/Montepulcino during the tail end of September? Would choosing accommodations without AC be a big mistake?

Thanks a bunch!

Ciao YehYeh! I have only visited the towns during the day, so cannot give an opinion on the liveliness of either at night, but I would choose to stay in Pienza in a heartbeat. Gorgeous views, tons of flowers, nice and flat with a good parking lot right near town. Also, fabulous food shops - always a winner with me.

I would also agree with staying 2 nights in Siena and just getting a driver to drive you 2 hours to the airport on the morning of your flight.

Pienza is flatter, yes.

The views from both are pretty good. The great thing about MonteP is once the tourists are gone (5pm due to the lack of flatness) the place is pretty quiet so you can drink fizz in the duomo square alone. The bad thing about Pienza is the Americans who never seem to leave the place. I have been embarrassed more than once by some foul mouthed American shouting at waiting staff whose only crime is not speaking American perfectly. Still the view in the evening is stunning

Siena at night is ok, but very good in the first moments of dawn.

A/C is only needed if you are staying in the modern hotels in Pienza that are not designed for the heat, in MonteP or Siena older hotels, there is not a problem

Having stayed in all three I'd go to MonteP and I'd stay in the B&B just to the left of the main gates at the bottom of the hill because I'm lazy and the walls are way-thick. The restaurants towards the gates are tourist traps, so work your way up to the Duomo and eat there.

Pienza is a bit dull for me.

I'm with the last poster. Pienza seemed much smaller than Montepulciano, and less lively. It's been a few years, but I don't recall flowers being remarkable in either town. There were lots and lots of Americans in Pienza; not so many of us in Montepulchiano, if that matters. We had intended to use Montep.as a base and travel the countryside, but ended up hanging out in town 4 or 5 days. Plenty to do and see, just strolling around town. We loved it!

No comparison---MP is 5 times the size of Pienza and has much more to do and see. Pienza is a good location to tour from, but so is San Quirico less then 10 miles away. I would get bored fast in Pienza. Click on my nmae to find my trip report from Liguria and Tuscany 2 yeras ago when we spent a week in MP and drove that area well.

Bob, that trip report of yours was a deciding factor in our choosing Montepulciano for a week June. Can't wait!

I (heart) Montepulciano. We also spent a week there (October). We stayed at Locanda di San Francesco, esp. its wine bar. We were able to park outside the front door and had no trouble driving in and out of the town.

http://www.locandasanfrancesco.it/bo...l-tuscany.html

I wasn't impressed by Pienza. San Quirico was charming but I thought too quiet for us. Montalcino was very nice and another spot for great wine tasting.

On the same trip, we stayed in Siena for a week. We hadn't been there in several years and were sorely disappointed in the amount of traffic we had to get through leaving and returning to the city every day. If I were you, I'd get the touring done before Siena and drop the car on arrival.

There is a once-a-day bus that departs Siena at 7:10a, arrives Pisa airport 9:00a. Also, a train that departs Siena 6:25a, change at Empoli, arrives Pisa airport at 8:00a. If you need to be at the airport earlier, I think you'd have to hire a driver... or stay the last night in Florence or Pisa.

We stayed in Pienza at B&B Camere Andrei just across the street from the wall. They had parking. Each day we would head out one of the four roads out of town to explore. It is much smaller and quieter than Montepulciano but we loved it's beauty and quaintness. There were some really great restaurants. Incredible views as well.

>>>The bad thing about Pienza is the Americans who never seem to leave the place.<<<

I've always found Pienza quite empty and more Europeans than Americans.

Montepulicano is bigger so a bit more to do, but both are small hill towns and pretty much close down early.

>>>And how crucial is air conditioning in Pienza/Montepulcino during the tail end of September? Would choosing accommodations without AC be a big mistake?<<<

I would be more concerned about heat than AC. You will find many small places won't have either one available at that time of year.

A flight departing from either Florence or Pisa will be an early flight because it will require a connection in Europe and you will need to stay in those cities the night before.

Thanks for the responses guys, this is great.

I'm glad the majority of you favor MP because I was gravitating that way already so it was just the push I needed.

Bobthenavigator, I know you are a fan of San Quirico. We have some touring in mind but not heavy duty, and like harriet_hughes, it won't be failure if we end up mostly hanging out in town with minimal touring. Would SQ be a good choice for us in that case? Or do you think MP would be better suited? Is SQ comparable to Pienza in size or larger? I will definitely look up your trip report.

Jean, I have been eyeballing the San Francesco, but I might have to make a concession on the cost of accommodations in exchange for a little longer trip with my fiancé. Browsing Locanda SF is was got me going in the direction of MP to begin with, it looks like a lovely place.

Does anyone know a reputable driver for transport from Siena to Pisa airport? And what that might cost?

Thanks again.

A few years back, my husband and I stayed in San Quirico for one week. The town was charming but definitely too quiet for us. While we travelled to various hilltowns, Montalcino, Montepuliciano and Pienza to name a few, we wished we had stayed in Pienza.

I didn't like Montepulciano that much myself. It's basically one long hill, a stiffish climb to the top. Because it's on a hill, the views are excellent. But I found Pienza prettier, almost flat so easy to walk around, with good views. Because it's flat, it's convenient for daytripping, easy to drive in and out of. And it's centrally located among Montepulciano, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino, Sant'Antimo Abbey, and Bagno Vignoni

I find SQ more authentic--it is small, but so Tuscan.
The evening passagiata is classic.

I guess we can agree there is no wrong choice.

Comparatively speaking, if MP were New York City, Pienza would be Raleigh, Columbus OH, or Omaha. And that can be good or bad, depending on your perspective.

I've been to both, and lived for 6 weeks in an apartment in MP one summer. I'd take MP any day of the week. Once you learn the side streets and shortcuts around The Hill, MP is fun. (Granted, the last time I was in MP was 2002.)

Montepulciano is at an elevation of 2000 feet, significantly higher than everything around it. It was fine without any A/C during the entire month of July when I was there, so late September should be absolutely no problem.

Thanks everyone!

Ok perfect - no AC/no problem!


tdyls - perfect comparison for me to give my fiance, that is exactly how he relates. I think I would be happy in any of the three towns, but he would definitely prefer MP.

ekc - thanks for the vote to give Siena an overnight. That is what my gut tells me to do. And thanks for an earlier suggestion of yours to visit the Abbey of Sant'Antimo - that wasn't on my radar at all until you suggested it. Not only do we absolutely want to go, but it helped us to start zeroing in on where to stay & how long, etc.

You guys have been an invaluable help to me in planning this trip. I am so excited to share our final plans and trip report with you. Many many thanks :)

THis may help for food in Tuscany:

GOOD EATS IN TOSCANA
I have never been called “ BOB THE FOODIE” , but here are some of the best places to eat in Tuscany based on feedback from many of my clients. Reservations are suggested for most!

$=inexpensive $$=moderate prices $$$= expensive

FLORENCE:
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco $$ Across the river & very good.
La Giostra $$$ Excellent, but you must book in advance

SIENA:
Osteria Le Logge $$ Great place for lunch and near Il Campo
Cane e Gato $$$ A fixed price & menu for a true feast—allow 4 hours

LUCCA:
Buca di San Antonio $$ Best in town and near San Michele
Il Giglio $$ In the piazza of the same name---favorite with locals

SAN GIMIGNANO:
Il Pino $$ Very good typical Tuscan fare
Le Vecchie Mura $ Good value for a tourist town

MONTALCINO:
Taverna Grappolo Blu $ Popular with locals as well.
Ristorante Poggio Antico $$ Excellent cuisine 5km south of town at winery location
Enoteca Osteria Osticcio $ Best wine tasting & small meals in town

MONTEPULCIANO:
La Grotta $$ Near San Biagio church & very good
Café Poliziano $ Great place for lunch on shopping street

Osteria Acquacheta Best bistecca in Tuscany

PIENZA: Latte du Luna $$ Best choice in this charming village

BAGNO VIGNONI: Osteria del Leone $ Good lunch choice in this spa hamlet

MONTICCHIELLO: La Porta $ Charming place with outside terrace

SAN QUIRICO: Trattoria al Vecchio Forno $ Good food & fair value

Just curious, Bob. What do inexpensive and moderate amount to? (I know expensive will be out of my budget.)