Travelling from Sienna
Travel south/SE on SR2 Via Cassia Sud. About 40 mins depending on traffic you get to:
San Quirico D'Orcia, a small walled city. You can walk it and the gardens in 30 mins. Restaurants recommended Trattoria Osenna (good outdoor terrace) and Al Vecchio Forno associated with the Hotel Relais Palazzo del Capitano. We stayed there in 2012. You have to park outside the walls.
About 15 mins from San Quirico to the West gets you to Montalcino, home of the Brunello wines. I have not been there and so cannot comment.
From San Quirico, Head East for the town of Pienza. on Strada Provinciale 146 di Chanaciano. Before you arrive you will see Palazzo Massaine where you should explore and buy the local wine (inexpensive). You will need a camera. You wont miss this palazzo as it stands out on the left hand side with its distinctive tower.
Shortly after on winding main road you arrive in Pienza. The entire drive from San Quirico to Pienza non-stop is about 15 minutes. In Pienza, you have to park outside the city walls. Pienza is another very picturesque walled city. Just walk around and find somewhere to dine or sip coffee. Ask a hotel for dinning recommendation. Good views as it is up high. Pienza is arguably one the most serene towns in Tuscany.
Then another 15 mins gets you to Montepulciano. Montepulciano is a much bigger city and takes time to explore. But it's less crowded and for my money in some of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany. No specific restaurants, although many years ago we walked up one of the main thorough fares and stopped at this restaurant at the top that had amazing views of the valley below through a huge window. Try the Pici pasta a local dish. There are car parks outside the walls and it does get a bit eerie in the evenings when the sun starts to set. You could spend a day here.
Finally, if you have the time, about 15 - 20 mins out of Montepulciano heading on the direct road North East to Cortona, you pass a little town called Valiano.
Nothing to look at but the Piccola Trattoria Guastini was an absolute highlight for us. We actually gave the chef a standing ovation. She may well remember. If you go tell them I am sending other Aussies there over the next month. It's worth the trip. The food is amazing and save room for desert. Holidays and weekends can be very busy, so I would definitely book in advance. If memory serves me well then Davide and Manuela don't have a strong command of English.
Piccola Trattoria Guastini
Via Lauretana Nord, 20
Montepulciano SI
Italy
+39 0578 724006
You can park across the road in a small carpark. You walk through a gate between 2 non-descript buildings.
In Sienna, check out the modern excavations below the cathedral. To the north you have San Gimignano. It will be very crowded. There is a little shop close to one of the two main entrances that sells silver products. Say Hi to the male proprietor. He is a multi-generational family silver-smith. He hand makes silver plates and vases etc (one we bought over 17 years ago!) although most of the business is now regrettably selling little silver trinkets to tourists.
We were last there in April 2012, so a few things maybe a little sketchy.
Then there is Florence of course. Get in early and ask about reserving tickets for the Uffizi gallery. It can be manic.
We were last there in April 2012, so a few things maybe a little sketchy. Watch your bags,cameras etc. in the busy touist spots.
ROME
If your spending any time in Rome then take a guided tour of the Colosseum. It is incredibly interesting history as to how it was built etc.
The Vatican - get there early as the queues are long. St Peters is free and try to catch a Sunday mass with the choir in attendance. From there you can walk back towards the River and Spanish Steps (not the shortest way but most picturesque) on the beautiful avenue called Via Cola di Rienza.
Near the Colosseum, at a huge intersection (the end of Via Del Corso) you can ask about going up the monument Victor Emanuelle II - I seem to recall a lift operating but check before because there are many steps.
Near the Spanish steps you have all the high end fashion stores and its just a great place to walk around. Stop in to Antica Enoteca cnr Via Della Croce and Via Bocca di Leone. There is a photo of Kevin Rudd hanging on a column in the middle of the restaurant. The Hotel Eden on Via Ludovisi (just off Via Veneto) for a drink at night on the top floor terrace/piano bar overlooking Rome is great but not cheap. Expect to pay about about 50 Euro each for 2 - 3 drinks and they charge for the seemingly complimentary bar snacks. The live music is very good. Highly recommended, perhaps after dinner. Nearby, across the Via Veneto in Via Sicilia there is a great Tuscan restaurant called Girarrosto Fiorentino, Via Sicilia 46, Tel +39 06 4288 0660.
So much more to see - Pantheon, Paizza Navona, Campo dei Fiori.
