We are arriving in Tuscany (Florence airport) at mid-day on November 1, which happens to be a national holiday and a Saturday. Our apartment for the week is in Montepulciano.

Has anyone been in this area on the November 1 holiday? We'd love to hear from you regarding what will be open and what will not. Grocery stores? Restaurants? Wineries? We will have to pick up some supplies that afternoon for the apartment. And since the next day is Sunday, there is a concern that places will also be closed that day. We have visions of "no food, no wine, no water" for the first two days/nights of our vacation!

Thanks in advance for your help!

ttt

Hi S,

I found this from google:

"All Saint's Day - by Gloria - Casina di Rosa from Italy - 2005-11-14
All Saint's Day, November 1st, is a holiday in Italy. Families gather to spend the day together and to remember the loved ones who are no more with them. Shops are generally closed, except for restaurants and flower shops".

Thanks ira! I guess we better hope the "convenience stores" along the autostrade are open!!!

Evidently this is celebrated in Spain as well. We are checking out of a house in Roussillon on Saturday, Nov. 1st and wanted to drive to Perpignan and turn in the car, catch the train to Figueres and pick up another car to avoid paying international dropoff fees.
Well, the car rental offices in Spain are closed for the holiday and if we just stayed in Figueres overnight, we still couldn't pick up a car the next day because it's Sunday and the offices are closed then too! I think we're left to pay the extra $364.00 fee...

I have (and will again) stayed in Montepulciano in apartments. There is a large grocery store at the "bottom" of the town which is likely to be open on the day of your arrival. There are also small shops in town with specific provisions--cheese, meats, produce and limited groceries. Why not consult your landlord to get a take on what would be open? They deal with this issue--"Arrival on Saturday with Sunday stores being closed" all the time. There is no way you would be unable to purchase wine--lots of options in town.

I'm curious which apartment you are staying in? Have fun. Paul

The landlords think pretty much everything will be closed on Nov. 1, hence our concerns. But we're feeling more confident that we'll be able to pick up some basics along the drive to Montepulciano, and will find a few options for eating dinner in town that evening.

macanimals - Here's where we are staying.

www.appartamentialpoggiolo.it

Have you stayed there? It had good reviews from Fodorites and has its own parking area - a nice plus!

Hello SCFoodie, if the landlord lives in Montepulciano do you think they would be willing to pick up a few suppllies for you? Personally I wouldn't hesitate to ask. Italians are usually very kind and they sure understand about needing some food and wine, lol.

The apartments look beautiful! You are going to have a wonderful visit I would think.

Sorry, I can't help with what will be open on the holiday but I wouldn't fret too much. I haven't seen or heard of anyone going hungry or thirsty!
We are returning to the Politian apartments--they are at the upper end of town. www.politian.com Easy to get in and out of with parking just below our bedroom window. We actually cooked and ate in 5 of our 7 nights last September--got a great ribollita going on our first day and supplemented. My favorite restaurant was Aquachetta-- a very rustic osteria which has two seatings. We visited many wineries and always had something interesting on hand--check out the Vin Santo's for a finish to your evening. We're headed back this September and excited all over again. Paul