Hi<BR><BR>We will probably be returning to Toscana this October, health permitting (and it looks like it will!). We are pobably staying in San Giovanni d'Asso which is right between Montalcino and Montepulciano, a few Km from Monte Oliveto Maggiore. We are going to spend some of the time day tripping south into the Maremma and other uncrowded places. Any body have any comments and/or recomendations for the area? If you haven't figured out from my postings, eating and drinking well are paramount. We prefer small family style trattorie serving local food and enotecche serving local wines. Beyond that we love to walk thru tiny villages and small towns, popping into every church we find. We also love the small regional and local museums. And we also love Etruscan and Roman archaeology.<BR><BR>Here are the places we are interested in based on our research:<BR><BR>Pitigliano<BR>Sovana<BR>Roselle<B R>Vetulonia<BR>Piombino (for the archeological park)<BR><BR>Anyone been to these areas?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance for the help.

Dean---Those are some pretty good choices. I know you can't see everything, but here are some more of those lovely "character" small villages that I like a lot: Radicofani, Abbadia San Salvatore, Arcidosso, Castiglione d'Orcia, and Magliano in Toscana. They are all south of Montalcino, several can be seen in one day trip, and they are all worth a visit; you'll enjoy any of them.

Dean, I like the drive south from Bagno Vignoni thru Castiglione. Monte Amiata, and then to St. Antimo. There is a good trattoria in the village near there but I forget the name. Have you eaten at Fattoria Barbi--I suspect you have with your wine expereince. Also, the Osteria in Bagno Vignoni is not bad.<BR>Sorry, I do not the Maremma area.

I found Sorano interesting (much like I found Civita di Bagnoregio interesting).The drive and the views are breathtaking.

Dean, have you come across www.slowtrav.com and www.slowtalk.com in your Web research? These related sites are non-commercial and very extensive, with a LOT of info about southern Tuscany. You may see some familiar folks on the sites, as a few Fodorites have migrated over.

<BR>Pitigliano is very impressive. I can still remember the drive, coming in from somewhere to the northwest, on a narrow, winding road through the hills. We were just driving through in the general direction of Orvieto, no route planned. All of a sudden, the forest just opened up, and across a small canyon was Pitigliano. It sits on a bluff, and the walls of the town seem to melt directly into the cliffside. The entrances to Etruscan tombs dot the side of the hill. It was probably the most stunning "hilltown" we saw in Tuscany, given the dramatic setting and view. We stopped and took several panoramic pictures. Unfortunately, we were late for a train, and couldn't stop to explore. Maybe next time.

topping

Thanks all<BR><BR>I ahve been to the village above S Antimo and ahve seent he trattoria but not eaten there. We will probably go there this trip.<BR><BR>We have dont the drive from S Antimo around to Rocca d'Orcia and loved it.<BR><BR>I have heard a lot of good things about Radiofaconi... any good restaurant recs for there?<BR><BR>I have had some of the cheeses from Fattoria Barbi at the enotecca fortezza in Montalcino. But we have never eaten there. We may do so this trip. I have eaten at Poggio Antico and did not care for it much. We will also go to Grappolo Blu this trip as well.<BR><BR>I have looked at the slow trav website but not in conjusnction with planning this trip. Will do so again.