Montalcino Holiday Villas and Travel Guide
Montalcino is a walled town in Tuscany set very high on top of a hill. Approach the town and you will be able to see the spires of the medieval buildings and a glowering fortress at one end. Surrounded by beautiful valleys, Montalcino presents a splendid landscape marked by rolling hills, winding roads lined with dark cypresses and the vast expanse of the vineyards from where the esteemed red wines Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino are produced.
The medieval alleyways and stone buildings make Montalcino a delightful day-trip destination and the views of the valleys from the top are simply mesmerizing.
Vacation rentals in Montalcino
Rent a vacation villa, farmhouse or cottage in Montalcino and you'll be guaranteed to find so many opportunities for sport, leisure and recreation that you couldn't wish for a more suitable destination for a family holiday. Vacation rentals in Montalcino exist in a part of Italy that is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, breathtakingly beautiful valleys and acres of vineyards. So if you like the idea of being able to walk through peaceful vineyards or look out across a splendid landscape from your doorstep, holiday rentals in Montalcino can help you soak up the tranquil rustic bliss.
Sightseeing in Montalcino
Fortress:
The five polygonal towers of the fortress dominate the town. Inside, you can see the "Standard" painted by Sodoma for the last defenders of the Sienese Republic. Inside the ground is the Enoteca la Fortezza, the wine-tasting shop, where you can sample the local Brunello and Rosso wines.
The Palazzo Comunale:
The town hall is a magnificent brick and stone building with a very fine 13th century tower.
Museo Civico and Diocesano d'Arte Sacra di Montalcino:
This new museum is located in the convent of Sant'Agostino. It contains paintings, Della Robbia terracottas (15th century), two celebrated miniated bibles, one of which is from the 12th century, and polychromic statues by Sienese artists of the 14th and 15th centuries. The Museums also houses several archaeological finds from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages and from Etruscan and Roman tombs.
Duomo di San Salvatore:
Inside, you can see important works such as the Immaculate Conception of 1588 by Francesco Vanni, John the Baptist by Ventura Salimbeni, as also statues of Saint John and the archangel Michael by Antonio Rossi.
Church of St. Egidio: This Romanesque and Gothic church was built in 1325. Inside the church, you’ll find preserved a 16th century tabernacle and a fresco of "Madonna and Child."
Wine Tasting:
The reason most tourists come to Montalcino is to visit the wineries. There are many wineries that open to the general public including Banfi and Frescobaldi´s Castelgiocondo estate. Guided wine tasting tours are easily available.
Dining in Montalcino
As in other Tuscan villages, the cuisine is dominated by wild boar, hare, Bruschetta, Cannellini beans, grilled sausages, homemade pastas, pheasant in grape sauce, roast guinea hen etc. The most popular wine is Brunello di Montalcino, which has been awarded the status of DOCG, the highest quality possible in Italian wine law. Most eateries are tucked away within the town walls, near the fortress and off the Piazza Cavour.
Nightlife in Montalcino
As in other Tuscan villages, the nightlife in Montalcino is limited to late night walks under the starlit sky. Enjoy a late dinner and drink a lot of Brunello and before you know it, the evening is gone.
Golfing in Montalcino
The golf enthusiasts can enjoy a pleasant round of the game at the Drago Golf Club which features large fairways. A lot of precision is required when playing on the incredibly fast greens. The game is often affected by water hazards, as you will be would need to play along ponds and brooks.