Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
chic boutique hotels, atmospheric
agriturismi
(farm or wine estates offering accommoda-
tion) and idyllic villa retreats. From your base, you'll be able to explore the Val d'Orcia
and Val di Chiana, visiting the wine country around
Montalcino
, listening to Gregorian
chants at the
Abbazia di Sant'Antimo,
wandering through the ruined Cistercian abbey of
San Galgano
, soaking in hot cascades at
Bagni San Filippo
and sampling the gastronom-
ic products that this part of Tuscany is known for - Chianina beef,
cinta senese
(indigen-
ous Tuscan pig), fresh
pecorino
(sheep's milk cheese), fragrant olive oil and two of Italy's
greatest wines: Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. If you are
travelling during summer, you may be lucky enough to witness a medieval-themed neigh-
bourhood festival or attend a musical performance in an abbey,
palazzo
(mansion) or
piazza.
End your sojourn in this idyllic area by looping back along scenic secondary roads to
romantic
San Gimignano
, home to medieval tower houses, a lavishly frescoed
duomo
(cathedral) and a small but charming municipal museum and art gallery. Dine on delicate
pasta dishes scented with locally grown saffron, and celebrate Tuscany's manifold charms
with a glass or two of the town's golden-hued Vernaccia wine - life doesn't get much bet-
ter than this!
