Page 50 - Diane Musgrove Issue

TR A VEL

Days in Montepulciano of the surrounding valleys were

inspirational, but more impor-
tantly, living among the locals
provided an opportunity to
Article and Photos by Dom Gagliardi appreciate and understand the
cultural aspects of the town.
And then, of course, there
is the Tuscan fare—from the
While traveling through Italy to see and enjoy this bustling to this Renaissance style church freshest of pastas and olive oils
several years ago, I discovered community with its collage of built from local travertine in the to the Pecorino Romano cheese.
the large town of Montepulicia- Renaissance architectural styles. mid-1500s. Montepulciano is dotted with
no, where I wine tasted and then Take a walk along the Corso that Travelers from the US plan- wonderful cafes, bistros, and
roamed the narrow cobblestone rises from the main portal and ning to visit Tuscany will gen- restaurants. Begin your day with
streets of this wonderful gem in meanders its way up a steep erally fly into Rome or Florence. a cappuccino and a cornetto
Tuscany. I was so mesmerized hill to the famed Piazza Grande While there are currently great (croissant) at the Caffe Poliza-
and enthralled with its charm that exudes a dominant Floren- fluctuations in airfares, a recent no, a popular meeting place
and history I realized one day tine influence. This town square survey revealed that round-trip since 1868. With so many dining
was not enough and vowed to is flanked on all sides with four economy fares to both cities choices, like LaVineria di Mon-
return for a much longer stay, beautiful palazzos, the most start at approximately $1600, tepulciano, Osteria del Conte, or
and that is just what I did two prominent being the Palazzo including seat assignment and Le Pentolaccia, decisions about
years later. Contucci, built in the 16th centu- baggage fees. Montepulciano meals are often tastefully diffi-
Situated in the heart of Tus- ry and still home to family mem- is easily accessible by train from cult. But for the carnivores out
cany, approximately halfway bers, and the Contucci Cantina, both of these cities and while I there, I highly recommend Oste-
between Florence and Rome, whose basement chambers never recommend renting a car ria dell’Aquacheta, where guests
this medieval hilltop town dates have been filled with barrels of in those cities, having your own can gaze at the open fire oven
back to the Etruscan Era from wine since the 1500s. Along the vehicle in Tuscany will truly en- and slabs of fresh beef lying
over 2000 years ago. However, way, stop in any number of pala- hance your experience. In ad- on the counter until Guilio, the
its most visible historic presence zzos, such as the DeRicci Can- dition, the roads are extremely owner, brings cuts of meat to
dates back to the 12th century, tine or Cantina della Tolosa, for manageable while you day trip your table from which to choose
with indications of the alternat- a taste of the noteworthy and to sightsee or enjoy wine tast- to prepare the most delicious
ing power struggle between the namesake wine, Vino Nobile di ing in other cities and towns like Florentine steak you will ever
local royal families from Siena Montepuliciano. Siena, Pienza, Montalcino, Orvi- devour.
and Florence. Everywhere you As formidable as the palaz- eto, and Chianti, to name a few. Whether it’s exploring the
look, there are reminders of the zos are, one cannot overlook the While standard hotel lodg- narrow streets of this majes-
competing influences of these churches peppered throughout ing may seem somewhat limit- tic town, driving around the
powerful families. the town, such as the Church ed, there are many options for verdant fields and vineyards
Once protected from Bar- of San Francisco and the Duo- all budgets through VRBO or of Tuscany, or getting your fill
baric invaders by the wall that mo. But the most impressive of Airbnb. For example, I located of gastronomic delicacies and
still surrounds the town, its four all is San Biagio Church, locat- a five-room apartment in an vino, vino, vino, it will leave you
portals (gates) that kept out un- ed outside the wall at the base old villa situated right on the wanting for more. For that rea-
wanted enemies now remain of Montepulciano’s hill. A cy- wall for only $125 per night. The son, I plan to return very soon.
open, welcoming everyone press-lined driveway leads up views from the patio and garden Ciao!

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