Tuscan Gems

San Giovanni d’Asso: Admire the castle and take a walk in the splendid gardens, il Bosco della Ragnaia. A finalist in the European Gardens Award, this garden is an oasis of calm and tranquility. San Giovanni d’Asso is also famous for truffles and attend the white truffle festival held the 2nd and 3rd weekends in November every year. 

Chiusure: Chiusure and visit the nearby Monastry Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Chiusure is a tiny historic village and in April every year they celebrate the artichoke festival. Have lunch with the locals at a tiny restaurant with a grandiose view at Ristorante Pizzeria La Terrezza. Adriana is always in a good mood and very happy to see you! 

Petroio, Another tiny little village, firmly off the tourist trail. Visiting Petroio feels like travelling back in time. Apart from the Terracotta museum there is one hotel "Palazzo Brandano" with a fabulous terrace overlooking the Tuscan country side. The perfect spot for a coffee or an aperitivo. 

Palazzo Brandano Via Valgelata 18, 53020 Petroio Italy - 

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' favorite places in Montepulciano

Castelmuzio is a beautiful small historic village and a great place to have a simple but delicious lunch at La Locanda di Casalmustia. From here in the distance you can see the abbey Sant’Anna in Camprena ( used as a location in the film ‘The English Patient’).

La Locanda di Casalmustia Piazza Della Pieve 3, 53020 Castelmuzio (SI), Italia

Montalcino, west of Pienza, is a beautiful village immersed in the breathtaking Val d'Orcia Natural Park, renowned all over the world for the production of its precious Brunello red wine. The town has scarcely changed in appearance since the 16th century. Once you get up to the town, a magnificent spectacle unfolds for your eyes: rolling sunny hills dotted with yellow and red flowers, ancient oak trees, picturesque olive groves, scenic country roads winding through perfect vineyards and isolated cypress trees atop hills. 

Osteria di Porta al Cassero It is a family run hostelry which is in the stables of an ancient fortress. This quaint Slow Food restaurant has a traditional menu that is based on local and seasonal produce. Lunch is accompanied with wine from the hills that are surrounding Montalcino.

Osteria di Porta al Cassero Via Ricasoli, 32, Viale della Libertà, 9, 53024 Montalcino SI, Italy Phone: +39 0577 847196