tuscany

Almost! We were looking for a winery and nearly drove into the restricted zone. It looks like an interesting small hill town. Nearby is a tiny, beautiful village called Monticchiello. If you have a chance, I'd go there, perhaps for lunch.

Hi John,
Montefollonico is worth the visit! It is a small charming hamlet half way between Montepuylciano and Pienza. Go there! And may be have lunch at "La botte Piena" right in the center close to the ancient walls. www.labottepiena.com Beautiful salumi,cheeses ham and wild boar sausages, rowdeer ham, and many other specialties.Have a relaxing walk and a nice lunch!
Monticchiello is worth the visit too! It is definitely beautiful: only 122 inhabitants! Small medioeval village with tiny streets and nice balconies full of flowers. Another suggestion for a nice lunch here...osteria "La porta" www.osterialaporta.it
Get a table outside on the terrace with a superb view of the val d'orcia. Daria the owner is a lovely lady who speaks a perfect english! more than 200 different wines: great choice!.
ciao
Serena

Now your talking, rent a car, put away the map, and drive tp the next town on the horizon. Montefollinico is a beautiful town just a short drive from Montepulciano. The roads leading in and out make a wonderful drive. Montechiello has a beautiful church, and a private castle which is what got us there. Point is, there are some wonderful towns all over Tuscany, that are not on anyones radar, and are real gems. For our experience, all the Italians we met were wonderful people, very accomodating, and helpful. I don't think you could go wrong in any city. Jeff