Hey Folks
Hey Folks,

My son and I are going to spend couple of days in Tuscany and I am looking for a relatively small village. Having read other threads with similar request, I am now convinced that, as much as Siena is a lovely place, it's not what I like to do in this short trip. Last year, we passed by Volterra and I just absolutely loved it - The picture of the rolling hills was out of this world and compelled me to buy a cheap Tuscan painting later in Rome, as it reminded me of that view. I have looked at other threads and they seem to mostly talk about the southern part of Tuscany, Montepulciano, San Quirico,etc., which of course sounds great but I am wondering if anyone can compare these with Volterra and northern villages. One of my guide books is also recommending Sovana- has anyone been there? Any suggestions? Thanks

Forget Sovana---too isolated.
My favorite hill towns are:
Montalcinio
Montepulciano
Pienza
Volterra
San Gim.

The first 3 are all close and make a terrific 2 days.

Safa,

Exactly what Bob says! 2 days around the Montepulciano area is wonderful (of course 3 would be better). Add a visit to Sant'Antimo and Monte Oliveto Abbeys, very different but lovely.

Buon viaggio!

Thanks folks. I think we'll stay in Montepulciano - I just hope it is not too touristy, as one post was suggesting. I am looking for a rather quiet Tuscan village.

I agree with Bob about the towns. Montepulciano is less touristy than Volterra, at least when I was there.
However San Quirico is even smaller, but does not have the tourist shops etc. Great restaurant (TRATTORIA "AL VECCHIO FORNO&quot as many posters on this forum have recommended. We stayed in San Quirico a few weeks ago. One thing it doesn't have is the hilltop view that the other towns have.

My granddaughter's comment about the countryside around Bob's first 3 towns was it was "blinding green"!

We just got back from a week's stay in San Quirico d'Orcia. It was, hands down, our favorite town and is a little off the tourist route. Great location to other southern tuscany towns. Hightly recommended.

I would recommend San Gimignano.

We loved San Quirico! On Bob the Navigator's recommendation, we stayed at the Palazzo del Capitano, which was great. The town is completely un-touristy and set in beautiful countryside. From there we visited Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. We visited Volterra and really liked it, but southern Tuscany is much more beautiful countryside.