Montalcino - A Tuscan gem

Welcome to Montalcino, a Tuscan gem. Just like Monteriggioni, we find ourselves in another of the top 10 most beautiful places in Tuscany.

Montalcino is another magical walled city surrounded by, yes, you guessed it, more rolling green hills! You definitely need a car to explore Tuscany, as you can expect a range of dreamy routes through the Val d'Orcia that combine all the rolling hills, vines and hilltop villages to gift you with a mystical atmosphere.

Montalcino, Italy

We found ourselves in Montalcino; again, thanks to recommendations from our lovely friends, who had raved about this incredible hotel and had even organised a wine tasting for us here. Based on our previous experience with these guys, we were in! Initially, the hotel was fully booked, so we were hunting for something nearby.

Fortunately, our instincts had us hold off on booking until the last minute, and success; a room opened up the night before, allowing us to truly enjoy a peaceful and relaxing 24 hours, soaking up the everlasting Tuscan views in a truly luxurious setting. The hotel was divine!

Driving into the Brunello wine region felt like a welcome parade, with lines of iconic cypress trees guiding immaculate driveways, framed by stately, picturesque properties. We were super impressed as we embarked on the entrance to our accommodation, the Capanna Suites.

We were guided through the immaculate gardens to our suite, where the decor perfectly complemented the Tuscan region, exuding warmth and comfort with endless views of the surrounding Tuscan landscape.

Capanna Suites, Montalcino, Italy

We couldn't wait to visit the restaurant, Il Passaggio, for lunch. It all starts in a marvellous panoramic setting, where we opted for a terrace table to soak up more hill views! The experience, indeed, was a culinary joy. We loved the fresh enthusiasm from the team, and it had a warm, homely vibe, along with gourmet cuisine to match, and a very well-versed wine list from their extensive cellar.

Il Passaggio, Capanna Suites

Not only is Capanna Suites located in one of the most well-loved and picturesque places in all of Italy, but it is also where one of the world's finest wines, Brunello di Montalcino, is produced. As a guest, you are also invited to a wine tasting, which was the entire reason for us being here, so we were definitely joining this event following lunch. We enjoyed Antonio, our sommelier, walking us briefly through the history of Montalcino's wines whilst sampling a selection of the wines they produce. Along with a few other guests, the room was filled with warmth, stories and laughter.

Capanna Suites, Montalcino

Dinner followed by wine tasting, and it was another exemplary dining experience with the beautiful Capanna team, filling our hearts and tummies with joy and delicious local foods!

Capanna Suites, View

After a sleep reserved for royalty, the quietness and stillness of the region were a blessing, with only the dulcet sounds of nature. We woke up feeling refreshed and ready to embark on another Tuscan-walled city!

Breakfast is something we rarely sample, but with the magic and serenity of this place, it was hard to skip, so we enjoyed a hot plate and coffee while savouring the views.

Montalcino, the fairytale hilltop town, was perched up on yet another hill, only a five-minute drive, so as we checked out, we stopped into this busy day-tripper destination for a quick stroll and to take in the city's vibe, and we were not the only ones! The parking is always on the edge of the town beyond the walls, and it was like winning the lottery to find a park; Wayne deserves a medal, too, for squeezing the car into the smallest of spaces, but with only one hour to explore, after realising we only had €2 in coins (as the machine only took coins) it would be snug and safe for this time!

The town was buzzing with tourists, and it was market day; in these villages, the shops come to you, so you have stalls of shoes, clothes, pharmacies, produce, groceries, and so on, all excellent value to keep the locals satisfied.

We strolled around the busy streets, tackling the cobblestoned streets with quite the steep inclines to capture the personality and appreciate the views, before getting back to the snugly parked car and exiting before the parking inspector arrived.

You honestly can't go wrong with any walled city in this region; they all continue to be full of beauty, views, ambience and an abundance of dining and drinking establishments.

Date visited: 15 September 2023