Toscana: Pienza and Montepulciano

On the road we stopped in Pienza for lunch. We parked the car on the street (what a luxury!) and wandered, discovering a piazza that led to a small utopian renaissance town. The views of the Val d'Orcia were spectacular.



Near the outside wall there was a courtyard restaurant that had a splendid menu and wine selection. We sat down taking in the view and ordered antipasti (starters) featuring the famed pecorino (sheep's milk cheese) of the region. Also a Rosso di Montalcino from Col d'Orcia that went along brilliantly with the pappardelle con cinghiale (long flat pasta with wild boar sauce) pictured here.


Pienza offers a variety of artisan shops and one in particular featured beautiful and affordable beaded and glass jewelry. During our afternoon stroll we also stopped into one of the many alimentari (delis) to buy salami, prosciutto, pecorino and biscotti to snack on during our travels.

Montepulciano was the next town to visit, we found it to be a grand imposing city. Personally, if I had to invade and conquer it back in the day, I'd be quite afraid.






Pienza links:
> Pienza
> The restaurant
> The wine

Montepulciano links:
> Montepulciano