Thanks & Questions about Tuscany
 

Bob the Nav, thanks for your repeated mentions of both Montalcino and Pienza. We're going to visit both of them, and Montepulciano as well, and are looking forward to seeing them. Interestingly, I also just read in Rick Steves' Italy book that his favorite scenic drive in Tuscany is the Crete Senese ("Crests of Siena") drive on S-146 between Montepulciano and Montalcino.<BR><BR>Rex, if you read this, thanks for the link to the New York Times article on Volterra. It sounds very interesting and I see it's also very close to San Gimignano. <BR><BR><BR>Any other suggestions for favorite towns, or scenic drives, in the area near Siena? We're specifically interested in the Chianti region, and the region from Siena down to the Orvieto/Pitigliano area. I was in Arezzo on a daytrip from Rome last year and really liked it. What about Cortona, which is nearby...any comments about it? <BR><BR><BR>Thanks again, Bob & Rex, and thanks in advance to all for any other suggestions.

Capo, Have you read Francis Mayes "Bella Tuscany"? In one chapter she and her husband take a trip to some of the areas where lots of Etruscan ruins are and stay in places that sound fabulous. They also have a meal or two that sound great. Assuming you'll have a car I think it sounds like an area you would like.

topped a bunch of threads with info on Cortona (thrread titles may be re Tuscany, Umbria, hill towns, favorite places, Etruscan culture, last min. trip plans, etc.)

Capo. If you do not think you will get maxed out on hill towns, take a stop in Colle Val D'Elsa. It is a small medieval village. We visited the same day as San Gimignano. They are only 9 miles apart. Sit up in the old part of the town and have a coffee at the small open plaza next to the church. Lovely.<BR>Also, in the new part of the town is a crystal coop and they have some beautiful things there. Enjoy.

Capo. Can you get a copy of the Wine Spectator, May 15, 2000? <BR>Some nice information about "Tuscany's Treasures" (Cultural Attractions Off the Beaten Path)<BR>Also "Visiting the Vineyards" (Touring and Tasting At Tuscan Wine Estates).

Capo, I think Rick got that from me !<BR>For great photo ops, let me suggest some finer detail. Take S-2 from San Quirico toward Bagno Vignoni and a few miles beyond. You will see several of the coffee table book scenes of isolated farm houses with the cypress trees on the ridge--you know the ones.<BR>And, about 3 miles shy of Pienza on S-146 driving east on the south side, you will see the famous shot of the " capella in the field" that graces every Tuscan photo book. You can also drive close to it on a small road about a mile further toward Pienza. I got some great pics our last trip. That is the best of Tuscany for me. As for other hill towns, Chianti does not get me excited. I love Volterra, Cortona is cool but a bit far, and Mt. San Savino is worth a stop. Have fun !

Thanks, Topsy, Sherry, & Bob. <BR><BR>Sherry, I found Colle Val D'Elsa on my map and have added it to our list, especially since it's so near to Volterra and San Gimignano. Don't know about being able to get that copy of Wine Spectator, but thanks for mentioning it. <BR><BR>Bob, nice to hear you agree with Rick on S-146 (and, who knows, perhaps he did get it from you :~). Also found San Quirico & Bagno Vignoni on my map and will definitely take your advice. You're saying to drive *on* S-2 between those two towns and bit beyond, right? Yep, I've seen plenty of those isolated farm houses with cypress tree photos; I saw tons of gorgeous postcard photos of the Tuscan countryside while in Arezzo last year. With any luck, I'll take a few good photos of those scenes myself on this trip. I've probably seen this "capella in the field" shot you mention, but I don't recognize what it is. I also, finally, found Monte San Savino on my map (the map index was wrong, pointing to a grid northwest of Florence), and we'll likely stop there if we drive to Arezzo or Cortona. Nice to hear you love Volterra and think Cortona is cool. We were planning our four days in this area and now I think we might have to add at least one more. <BR><BR>Thanks again for the suggestions.

You're welcome, Capo. Now share with me some of your sex appeal here.<BR><BR>:)<BR>

to the head (Capo) of the class<BR>

My spouse and I just returned last night from Tuscany/Florence and we did Le Crete Senese drive from Siena south on the 438/451/223/ to Montalcino on Easter Sunday. It was spectacular. Taking some of the suggestions from this board (special thanks to Dean) we stopped at Abbazia di Montel Oliveto Maggiore where we heard some Gregorian chants during mass; then Monalcino where we went to the Fortezza for some Brunello tasting and had a wonderful time eating cheese and salami with all the Italians (this route was absoltely heaving with Italian families out for an Easter drive), the beautiful Sant'Antimo; and over to Abbazia di San Galgano on our way back to San Gimignano in time for dinner reservations (again also packed with Italians and even at 6pm it took over 45 min. to find parking). We were staying in Certaldo and this tour took all day in case your wondering. We did want to detour to Bagno Vignoni after San Antimo but were worried about time. This is the best area of Tuscany and it was a perfect day...<BR><BR>As an additional note there is a new service station just off the SS2 before the Siena South exit where the new Bar around to the far right serves only Nannini pastry products from Siena. Defintely recommend you stop there as the queues in the Siena shop can be long and Nannini is no ordinary pastry. It was the perfect place for us to stop for breakfast. And their Panaforte is the BEST! Also, on our visit to Siena all the parking lots were full except for the San Catherine(?) lot down from Fontebrande gate, which was just about empty. Sure the walk up is steep but it only takes 5-10 minutes to walk up to the Campo and I understand there is a bus serive if you wish. I think Beth has mentioned this parking lot before.

For Capo, Crete does not mean crests but simply clay, in fact the hills are all a grey moonlandscape scenery.

Rex, it's simple. I spray some musk oil on my fingertips before I start typing. :~)<BR><BR>Topping, *LOL*...very good.<BR><BR>Chris, thanks for your comments -- especially about the Le Crete Senese drive -- and for your note about the new service station that has these Nannini pastries. Being a lover of pastries (that's not immoral, is it? :~), I'll definitely have to try one of those. <BR><BR>Interesting Dario. Either that word has two meanings or Mr. Steves made a gaffe in his book. (Crete sure does sound like a cognate of crests, or crest, to me.) <BR><BR>

How about the Avenue of the Poets? It is in the northern section of Tuscany, I believe, rather near the coast. It is a beautiful road with amazingly tall trees lining it like sentries. We biked it on the way to Volterra (so it is near to that.) The drive up to Volterra is a series of hair-raising switchbacks (especially difficult on a bike -- 6 miles straight up, or rather, zig-zag up!) But, it is gorgeous. I don't remember what town the Avenue of the Poets is in, but I know that you can do a search, and it will come up.<BR><BR>I also heartily endorse seeing Volterra. What a gorgeous hilltop (mountain top??) medieval town. Fabulous alabaster art, too.

I totally love the proposed title of a book that Dario is writing--are you ready for this?<BR>" Too much Tuscan Sun" the confessions of a Tuscan tour guide<BR><BR>LOL !

How great! I can't wait to read it. Dario - per favore, let us know when we can get a copy!<BR><BR>Grazie!

Dear Dayle<BR> Hi!The book is finished and will be published this year in the USA, if you send me an e-mail I will send you a preview....

Crete means clay, crests would be Cresta. Sorry to say that Rick Steves has made a little mistake (errare humanum est)The inhabitants of the Crete are not cretini though but cretesi