My wife and I will be driving from Siena down to Montepulciano. Do any of you have any suggestions for stops along the way? It seems to be a shorter drive and are just reaching out to anyone with some “back door“ or special places that they think are worth stopping and visiting along the way. Thank you… Ciao!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2822 posts
We enjoyed a stop at Abbazia di Monte Oliveti Maggiore. It's a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing place and is a pleasant drive along a pretty back road to get there. Can google it to see if it might be of interest.
We had an excellent lunch at a small village nearby but I'm afraid I've forgotten the name. Suggest just meandering along the country road towards Montepulciano and you're bound to find somewhere nice.
Posted by
62 posts
We stayed in Montepulciano last week and rented a car. The one day we tried to visit Siena, it was a downpour and when we finally found the parking lot, there was thunder and lightening, so we left without seeing the town. There are several routes you can take to Montepulciano. We stopped in Pienza and it was easy to find parking but didn't stay long as there's not much to see. Our favorite experience was a 90 minute tour of Mascagni Organic Farm https://www.mascagniorganicfarm.it/en outside of Pienza. Bianca offers tours through AirBnB, but not sure if you can ask for a tour through her website. You will want to contact her first as her farm will be too hard to find without a reservation. We loved Montepulciano and could have stayed longer. It was wonderful. Be prepared to walk a lot!
Posted by
georgetown, KY, USA
107 posts
As Robert stated, stop at the Abbazia. From Siena take the SP438 towards Asciano which will take you through some of the most beautiful Tuscan scenery, the Crete Senesi. Allow plenty of time to stop for photos. After the Abbazia head to the village of Montisi and Da Roberto’s for an outstanding lunch. Be sure afterwards to take a stroll through this picture perfect village. Head on to Montepulciano through Pienza.
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2111 posts
Here's another vote for Abbazia di Monte Oliveti Maggiore.
I know it would be an hour drive back, but for a truly memorable experience consider returning one evening for vespers.
My wife and I visited the abbey in the afternoon, then had dinner at a nearby restaurant and returned for Vespers. There was a woman from a nearby village, the monks and us. The monks had us sit up with them and gave us the music for the service. They encouraged us to join in the responses. The service is in Gregorian chant. It was one of the most peaceful and moving worship services I've experienced.
The church was built between 1400 and 1417 and remodeled in in 1772. It's remarkable to participate in a service largely unchanged for 700 years.