Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a medieval and Renaissance hill town and is a major producer of food and wine. Wine connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile among Italy’s best. However, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano should not be confused with the varietal wine (Montepulciano grape) of the same name. Montepulciano is also known for its pork, cheese, “pici” pasta (a thick, rough, chewy variant of spaghetti), lentils, and honey.

The main street of Montepulciano stretches for 1.5 kilometers from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza Grande at the top of the hill. The city is renowned for its walkable, car-free nature. The main landmarks include the Palazzo Comunale, the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the church of Santa Maria delle

Grazie. Highly recommended for dining is La Grotta (closed on Wednesday). It is a traditional restaurant with excellent food and the perfect place to enjoy Vino Nobile wines. La Grotta offers seasonal specialties, truffles, porcini mushrooms and fresh pasta. The service is pleasant and refined.

Distance from Casali di Casole: 90 km.

Pisa

Of course, the Leaning Tower, but Pisa is also an ancient city with a beautiful Duomo and Baptistry that offers one of the best views of Pisa, as it includes the leaning tower, and has far fewer stairs to climb. The Arno River flows from Florence through Pisa, and a stroll along the river is surely the highlight of a visit here. As an insider’s tip, the jewel of Luca is just a few kilometers north, and for us, a quieter, more enjoyable visit.

Distance from Casali di Casole 113 km

Lucca

If you are venturing west from Casali di Casole, perhaps to the beaches of Forte de Marmi or Cinque Terra, Luca is a great stop along the way, and one of our absolute favorites. Luca is an almost perfectly preserved jewel of medieval architecture and buildings, emanates charm and shows layers of history from every corner of its narrow winding streets. The walls that surround the town, no longer used for defense, are crowned by 4 km of green parkland, a lovely place to walk, cycle or spread out a picnic lunch.

Distance from Casali di Casole 120 km