Wine-lovers will already have plenty of great reasons to find a villa in Montalcino and come spend some time enjoying the good life in this part of Tuscany as it is the land of Brunello and home to some of the most incredible wineries, bars, wine shops, and other wine-related establishments and businesses and events in all of Italy. However, if delicious wines are not quite enough of a draw for you on their own, then how about truly remarkable wines in the most gorgeous of settings? Montalcino truly is one of the most picturesque parts of Tuscany and it is well worth coming to deeply explore the area in and around the town – all while indulging in some incredible vintages!
Set within a ring of old fortifying walls, perched on a hilltop overlooking the famous rolling green hills of Tuscany’s beloved Val D’Orcia, topped by a medieval castle that looks like something right out of a fairytale, cut through with winding little streets, and largely unchanged since the 16th century, Montalcino is picture-perfect and beyond quaint. Not only, however, are the streets and buildings of the town themselves idyllic but so too are the gaps between the structures and the ends of the roads where you get either tiny little glimpses or perfectly sweeping vistas of that magic landscape that unfolds before your very eyes and beneath you.
So, as one wanders around town, between visits to wine shops and eateries and tourist attractions, they can also just simply take in their surroundings and enjoy it all. In fact, just going for a walk around the so-called, “wine city,” and soaking it all up is a more than worthwhile endeavour and is sure to result in some incredible photographs and scenic backdrops for commemorative snaps of you and your travel companions. More than that, though, taking the time to simply potter about with no real aim in mind other than simply enjoying it all, enjoying yourself, appreciating where you are, and thinking of little else, not being worried about a schedule, is a great way to practice a bit of mindfulness and to take some time out for yourself. Take the opportunity to be really in the here and now and fully relax and unwind while on vacation in Tuscany – it’s such a romantic and special place and it is the perfect destination to really forget about your daily concerns and get swept up in the magic of your surroundings.
Going about the place without much of a plan is also perfect in a town like Montalcino as one can easily stumble across all sorts of wonderful surprises all throughout the town. The labyrinthine streets of Montalcino are home to a whole host of little craft shops, cafes, restaurants, wine bars, those perfectly framed views, alleys or streets that are strikingly photogenic, locals sitting out and chatting, and more.
But, if you do want to have some landmarks to hit, there is also a nice array of intriguing tourist attractions to visit. Among them there is the Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) with its collection of remarkble examples of glass and glass objects made by everyone from the Ancient Egyptians up to masterpieces by great Venetian makers, the Museo Civico and Diocesano di Arte Sacra with its rich curation of religious paintings and sculptures, and the town’s various architectural gems including elegant historic palaces and beautiful churches. Then, if you head to the main piazza, you will find that it is a bustling and exciting core of the town with lots of bars and restaurants to visit. The whole square also plays host to open-air jazz concerts in summer – yet another dreamy addition to perfect the atmosphere of this special corner of the world! Finally, there is the gorgeous castle, which is now used for events, including various concerts and performances throughout the year and the annual Jazz & Wine Festival that is held each July.
So, if you like to stroll about and really relax and soak up the local atmosphere on holiday in Tuscany, then Montalcino is just perfect for exactly that. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that due to its position on a hilltop, the town slopes downwards quite steeply and it can be a bit of a trek at times to get to different areas. It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes for walking if you visit and plan on really exploring the town. Similarly, those bringing small children or who might have less mobile members in their party should keep in mind that there may be some difficulty navigating the city – it can be hard for those with strollers or wheelchair users to get up some of the steeper slopes. Knowing this in advance and avoiding some of the more intensely steep roads will mean that it is still most likely possible to have a pleasant time in Montalcino. For many visitors, though, simply taking your time will make moving around the town easy enough. Just keep in mind that there is no rush necessary! Go slow, appreciate things as you wander about, stop and take breaks and look around, maybe even make a pit-stop here and there for a glass of wine – why not, you’re on holidays!
In fact, in many ways, Montalcino really is designed for taking it easy and going slow. So, take a vacation in Tuscany, find a villa in Montalcino, and come take things at your leisure.
