You can also take a look at my review of Politian apartments, which may help with some additional suggestions in the area:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34648293

Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks Monica and Tarheels!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of your reviews of the Politian Apartments and Montepulciano. Monica your website is so great - lots of excellent restaurant/travel recommendations & great photos that really got me excited today about Tuscany! And, so many interesting recipes as well!

Tarheels - we are also going to try staying in Montepulciano without a car and take a bus to Pienza one day and to Montalcino - if we get really ambitious, maybe Cortona another day, but it sounds like a long day by bus and back. Taking a wine tasting tour also sounds fun. I read somewhere that you can sign up at the tourist office and they pick you up and drive to you a local vineyard for a tour and tasting.

Does anyone have more information on these tours that you could share?

And, weather permitting, since we will be there in late October, we would love to take the hike from either Montepulciano to Pienza or at least make it by foot to Montechiello for lunch and walk back.

Ciao!

You mention Montalcino -- about 30 minutes (or less, maybe) drive from there is the lovely abbey of Sant' Antimo, where you can listen to the monks' Gregorian chants several times a day. We picnicked on the lawn before we went in to listen to the monks -- a very wonderful place.

Italia2005 - lucky you!

I clicked on this site to recommend the restaurant in the piazza at Montefalco that annabelle2 recommends!! The pasta IS delicious! I had one made with local truffles in the sauce - to die for!!

It is a relatively new restaurant I believe, and they were extremely generous and helpful with suggestions (despite the language difficulty).

Montefalco is definitely worth a visit. The linen shops are worth a visit as well.



Have a wonderful trip!

Does anyone have any idea what the name of the terrific restaurant in Montefalco is? I've read good things about L'Alchemista, but I thought it was more of a wine bar. Thanks.

In Spoleto we liked La Toretta and Il Tempio del Gustio. Very good! Get some type of pasta "Spoletino". A little on the spicy side but very good.

In Assisi we liked La Podesta. Get the gnocchi with sagrantina wine sauce. It is a specialty.

You can't go wrong eating in Umbria.....It is the BEST food we have ever had!!

Hi Italia 2005,

I just got back. I have an excellent recommendation for you for Assisi. Just outside the city walls, and you will need a car or taxi, but it's not that far -- Paridiso Le Terme.

Spello - I was a little disappointed in La Cantina. I liked Il Mulino much better.

Montalcino -- Grappolo Blu - the very best food of a 3 week trip. I ate there the first night and didn't bother to go elsewhere. 3 nights of dining and Brunello and I loved everything I tried!

Buon viaggio!

Re: Montefalco restaurant
I think it is l'Alchimista. It is kind of a wine bar but they serve food as well. We walked in to taste wine, sampled some of the saffron cheese, and then decided to eat lunch outside. Good decision! We bought some cheese and tried to re-create the pasta back at our agriturismo later in the week. Not as good as their version, but not bad.

Thanks, Annabelle, I thought it might the wine bar but wasn't sure. I appreciate the confirmation.

If you go to Montalcino, I would also recommend the Abbey. There is a bus from Montalcino that goes there and back. This was one trip that we were planning to take but didn't quite make it- next time, for certain!

Annabell - thanks for tracking down the name of the restaurant in Montefalo - we will make sure to visit! I've made notes of all of these restaurants and thank everyone for taking time to respond with your favorites!

Now, the problem - not enough time to enjoy them all. I'm already planning the next trip back!

Ciao!

Italia2005, I look forward to hearing about your trip! Have a great time. Glad you enjoyed my web site

Monica