Palazzetta Guide
Montalcino is known for the world famous Brunello wine, but there is so much more to discover. We will let you into those secrets with the Palazzetto Guide; from local slow-food to truffle-hunting and more
Activities Tour Brunello Vineyards
Montalcino is home to Italy's most famous wine, Brunello. There are 263 Brunello vineyards within a 5-mile radius of the historic city center. The world attention from Brunello wine has made Montalcino one of the most thriving hill-towns in Italy. We recommend Wine Estate Le Chiuse, a small boutique one where guests will receive a personalised treatment and enjoy a more authentic experience.
Website
Restaurants Locanda Demetra
This little restaurant was named one of the top ten restaurants in Tuscany, and luckily only half a kilometer down the road from Villa Palazzetta. Every day there are new dishes and the menu radically changes as the season changes and different fresh items become locally available. I promise this will be one of the most memorable eating experiences you'll have in Tuscany. You'll eat, drink and laugh your way through an amazing culinary experience. But take it from me, book your reservation
Call Website
Activities Pool & Plinius Playlists
There is so much to see and do around Villa Palazzetta but a day relaxing at the pool should definitely be on the schedule. Grab your favourite book, podcast or Plinius Playlist and enjoy a day lounging surrounded by an incredible view, nature and luxury.
Website
Aperitivo Not for sale, but....
A delightful story how this wine originated. It is not for sale but for those lucky people staying at Villa Palazzetta get to chance to drink this wine during their stay and it's pretty darn good!
Activities Pizza Night at Palazzetta
When restoring Villa Palazzetta, one of the things that was on the top of the list was a real wood-burning pizza oven. Pizza night is definitely a must when staying here. The wonderful Raffaella will come to villa to make for you or with you delicious authentic Italian pizzas
Website
Enoteca Enoteca la Fortezza - Montalcino
The tasting room in the fortress of Montalcino is the only place you can sample most of the area’s producers in one spot. We highly recommend the 2012 Diecianni Brunello Riserva.
Website
Activities Cooking class with Raffaella - Montalcino
Born in Como in northern Italy, Raffaella’s first career was in TV and film production in Milan before she moved to Val d’Orcia in 2003. Sharing her Tuscan life with Montalcino architect Marco Pignattai and their two sons, she finally has the time to knead all the pasta, pizza and pastry dough she always wanted to. Raffaella’s cooking is based on seasonal ingredients and the distinctive flavors of Italy’s regional recipes, which have been handed down from generation to generation. In her kitchen taste is king, but looks aren’t unimportant either.
Website
Activities The Truffle Hunters (2020)
Going on a truffle hunt in Tuscany comes highly recommended. To get a better understanding of the life of the truffle hunter, watch the movie The Truffle Hunters. “A scrumptious cinematic journey. Try not to fall hard for the joy it spreads.” “Gorgeous. Unique. Delightful. Visual Poetry. A fascinating glimpse inside a world of arcane knowledge and the luxury market that feeds off it. A constant feast for the eyes and a nourishment for the soul, giving the illusion of a journey back in time to a pre-technology age of simpler pleasures.” “An eccentric world that you have never heard of, never seen...”
Website
Activities Sailing from Portiglioni to Elba
It's easy to rent a boat from any harbour, with /without a skipper with clickandboat. The owners of villa Palazzetta made it a full day trip; leaving at 8am, lunch at a nice little restaurant in Porto Azzurro on Elba and back for a sea-food dinner at nearby Castiglione della Pescaia, back home at 11pm.
Website
Restaurants A home-cooked meal
There are two chefs at Villa Palazzetta. First is adopted nonna, Chef Paola, who makes traditional Montalcinese fare just like your Italian grandmother would have done it. Additionally we started collaborating with a local cook, Giacomo, available to cook for guests at Villa Palazzetta.
Website
Restaurants Osteria di Porta al Cassero - Montalcino
This is Montalcino. Simple food prepared in the way the locals appreciate. Family operated it provides a buzzy atmosphere where you can have local food at local prices. Good wine-list as well. Osteria di Porta al Cassero is a slowfood restaurant. Always busy, booking recommended
Call Website
Culture Montepulciano
Montepulciano is definitely on the tourist trail but worth a visit for it’s stunning architecture – from the gracious elegance of San Biagio to the Piazza Grande with some of the best views in Southern Tuscany. Montepulciano is home to Vino Nobile – so called because the Vatican sent emissaries to this magnificent hilltop town for its local wine. The hill is honeycombed with tunnels and cantine where the vino nobile is made and stored in barrels and bottles. Plinius favorites: Caffè Poliziano (coffee / aperitivo), La Grotta (lunch/dinner), the Talosa wine Cellar, Fattoria San Martino (lunch / dinner)
Website
Culture Bagno Vignoni
Famous for its wonderful thermal baths which have been in use since Roman times. This small town is just a half hour drive from Invidia. It makes a lovely half day outing or a full day if combined with nearby San Quirico d’Orsi
Website
Restaurants La Bandita Townhouse - Restaurant - Pienza
Our absolute favorite place to go in Pienza for lunch or dinner is La Bandita Townhouse, a small restaurant and wine bar with an open kitchen. There is also a gorgeous covered outdoor seating area inside the walled medieval garden. John Voigtmann is the owner and manager of La Bandita Townhouse.
Call Website
Activities Winetasting with Claudia
A private wine tasting at Villa Palazzetta with a charming and knowledgeable Sommelier, excellent service with Claudia from Callegari Wine. Claudia Callegari has over 16 years experience in the wine industry and is a professional sommelier. She is organises wine tasting to teach about new labels among the many the Tuscan territory can offer. Always interesting & fun! ~ info@callegari.wine
Call
Activities Azienda Agricola SanCarlo
Gemma and Giancarlo will welcome you with a warm handshake and tour you around their vineyards. Every visit to San Carlo starts in this way, with a walk through the rows of vines which give life to the estate’s Rosso DOC and Brunello DOCG. They will then lead you to the cellar where their wine is looked after and stored, from one phase to the next. Last but not least, the wine-tasting while overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Website
Activities Il Palazzone
The estate has three separate vineyards in quite different areas of Montalcino. The microclimate and extraordinary variety of terroirs means that they are able, on blending the three vineyard harvests, to have three complementary aspects of Montalcino in their Brunello.” Il vino si fa in vigna” – wine is principally made in the vineyard, not the cellar – and these results of these choices are evident in the final quality of their wines This winery offers wine tastings on the property either by walk-in or appointment
Call Website
Activities Fattoria del Pino
Sort and explore the best vintages of Fattoria del Pino Brunello di Montalcino. The winery was born in 2000 in the area of Montosoli on the Sienese side of the hill of Montalcino. This young estate is committed to making the Sangiovese grape prince of the territory with passion and dedication. The vineyards are planted on marl, clay, limestone and sandstone soil. Mid-hill mild temperatures and the presence and proper ventilation allow them to pick highly prized selected grapes from the vines, ready to express their elegance. Highly recommend to stop by here for a wine tasting!
Website
Restaurants Ristorante Terra
Terra is our new entry in our list of favourite places. A small refine restaurant nestled in the heart of Montalcino with an attentive service and a very well prepared and nicely assorted menu.
Website
Restaurants Il Passaggio by Capanna
Andrea Barcia, born in 1991, originally from Primiero, a small town in Trentino, is the chef of Il Passaggio by Capanna. Near the restaurant is a vegetable garden to guarantee the restaurant has a constant source of homegrown, seasonal vegetables and edible flowers which Chef Barcia personally selects. Il Passaggio Restaurant, just as the name which means “the passage” in English suggests, is much more than just a simple restaurant. It takes diners on a journey to discover the secrets of food and wine. The restaurant is located on top of a hill with a panoramic view of the surrounding Sienese countryside and to the town of Montalcino
Call Website
Aperitivo La Sosta
A selection of Organic Food and Wine, with a view of the medieval fortress and the gardens of the Empire. Our favourite place for an “Aperitivo" with a nice terrace overlooking sunset.
Website
Culture The secrets of Siena
Siena & Unesco Heritage area with a professional tour guide: Antonella Piredda. Secret Siena tour is all about hidden fonts, ancient castles, noble towers, tiny squares, little known churches, full of forgotten masterpieces. Pilgrim routes, saints, artists and travellers as well as ancient arts and crafts. Among the numerous and less crowded museums to visit, we may also include the Cripta della Cattedrale (the cathedral crypt) with its extraordinary thirteenth century frescoes only discovered in the year 2000; the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, the oldest hospital in the Western world and much much more! Super interesting.
Call Website
Activities “White Gold” Hunt
A truly unique and engaging activity to hunt truffles in the middle of the Crete Senesi led by a “master truffle hunter” and his faithful four-legged specialist. The activity continues with the tasting of the “hunt” combined with the products of the company, you can choose to stay for lunch or dinner and be able to taste our special truffle menu. The tours is in the truffle area of the Loghi farm and held throughout the year, upon request (except May) The meetings are usually in the morning at 10 o’clock or in the afternoon at 17 about, but much depends by season and weather patterns, preferring however the hours not too hot in summer and those with light in winter.
Call Website
Restaurants Podere Il Casale - Slow food restaurant near Pienza with amazing view over the Val d'Orsia
Podere il Casale hosts a 0km restaurant. Sit in the cosy, inner room or my favourite spot, outside is a splendid panoramic terrace overlooking the entire Val d’Orcia. The dishes are prepared with great care, using fresh products from the organic garden
Call Directions Website
Activities Rent a vintage Vespa Scooter, a drive along the strada bianca of Tuscany.
Another way to enjoy the Tuscan country side is on a vintage vespa scooter or vintage Fiat 500. A tour of the Val d’Orcia will take you through Tuscany that you are used to seeing on postcards. The road that takes you from Pienza to San Quirico is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Spellbinding views, well-cared-for roads nestled in the most famous valley of Italy, the Val D’Orcia. Here you will find the famous Chapel of Vitaleta and the house used in the film The Gladiator. Another beautiful route follows the road from Monticchiello to Montepulciano, all bends and cypresses…
Call Website
Activities Rent a vintage Fiat 500 & picnic - Pienza
Another way to enjoy the Tuscan country side is on a vintage vespa scooter or vintage Fiat 500. A tour of the Val d’Orcia will take you through Tuscany that you are used to seeing on postcards. The road that takes you from Pienza to San Quirico is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Spellbinding views, well-cared-for roads nestled in the most famous valley of Italy, the Val D’Orcia. Here you will find the famous Chapel of Vitaleta and the house used in the film The Gladiator. Another beautiful route follows the road from Monticchiello to Montepulciano, all bends and cypresses…
Call Website