It is hard to think of a place more suited to the wine and food lover
than the rolling hills and lush valleys of central Italy’s Tuscany and
Umbria. Cyprus trees and ancient oaks dot the landscape, and as you wind
the many white gravel roads you’ll find yourself in awe that somewhere
so unspoiled extends in every direction.
All those pictures in the coffee table books, online travel sites,
even those on your wall calendar are rolled out before you – tangible,
inspiring and ready to delight every one of your senses.
Beyond Florence – Small Towns in Central Italy and Things to Do
While Florence is known to food and wine lovers the world over, and
is renowned for its art museums, shopping, and breathtaking sunsets atop
Piazzale Michelangelo, many of the region’s treasures lie beyond the
city in the small towns and villages scattered throughout Chianti,
Tuscany and Umbria.
From San Gimignano and Pienza to Assisi and Cortona, Italy’s charm,
warmth and authenticity will have you wishing you never had to leave.
The days are dream-like as you stroll through streets and walls built
hundreds of years ago sampling the local Pecorino cheese, house-made
gelato or sipping one of Italy’s finest red wines; all the while you’re
surrounded by colorful flowers, the clanking of dishes in the kitchen as
a meal is prepared from scratch, and the quiet chatter and laughter of
others simply relishing in the good life.
While you can easily find such scenes across the countryside, here are a few destinations we highly recommend:
San Gimignano
A
small walled village, San Gimignano, known for its medieval
architecture and the 14 towers that rise above the city is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, which will transport you back in time. Food and wine lovers will delight in the locally grown saffron and its white wine, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. We
also recommend finding a local, family vineyard for an intimate
encounter with Chianti – call ahead to schedule an appointment.
Pienza
Another
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pienza is a small medieval village known as
the “ideal city of the Renaissance.” It was created by Enea Silvio
Piccolomini, later known as Pope Pius II, who had both the means and
influence to transform his birthplace village into his version of a
utopian city. Located in the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany, Pienza is known for its local sheep’s cheese, Pecorino and is the ideal place for a stroll. Make sure to sample the local gelato shop’s flavor of the day too!
Montepulciano
Now, this is a wine lover’s dream destination. Set atop a hill with views of the surrounding Tuscan farms, Montepulciano is an easy village to burn through your camera card! Make sure to visit one of the many wine cellars which extend deep beneath the city streets – the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is the local red wine and it shouldn’t be missed.
Montalcino
Wine lovers would be remiss to pass up this destination, another idyllic hilltop town, set within fortified walls. Montalcino is renowned for the production of Brunello red wine
which you can taste at any number of wine shops scattered throughout
town while taking in the view of the surrounding countryside with its
picturesque olive groves, ancient trees and miles upon miles of
vineyards. If you’re there for a meal, which we recommend so you can
take in more wine, make sure to try the wild boar ragu.
Montefalco
In
Umbria, the charming town of Montefalco will delight you with its
simplicity and welcoming hospitality. A small village in the heart of
Italy, you can spend the afternoon sampling the local wines at a
family-owned vineyard, taking a private cooking class in a chef’s home
or dining al fresco at one of the many eateries tucked in this town’s
winding streets. You’ll want to grab a bottle of Sagrantino di Montefalco for the cellar – it’s an ager!
Assisi
Obviously
one of the more well-known destinations of Umbria, Assisi made famous
by St. Francis, is a crown jewel of the region. We recommend visiting in
the evening when the crowds disperse and the city takes on a beguiling
atmosphere. Tour the church near closing for a more personal and less
crowded viewing, and then snag a seat for dinner on a westward facing
balcony to watch the sunset over the Umbrian valley. We guarantee it
will be difficult to leave this enchanting village, and while you’re there make sure to taste the Umbrian olive oil. It’s simply superior.
Believe the Hype
Italy is one of those dream destinations. We’ve all heard the
stories, read the descriptions or watched the travel shows depicting a
paradise for the food and wine traveler. Fortunately, for those lucky
enough to visit, it does not disappoint.
The rolling hills with scattered ancient castles and old farm houses
provide a picturesque backdrop, but the intimate encounters with the
food, wine, landscape and above all, the Italian people are the true
treasures.