A full day discovering our neighbouring region of Tuscany, visiting the lovely hilltop towns of Cortona, made famous by Frances Mayes’ novel “Under a Tuscan Sun” and Montepulciano. On the way to Cortona we will stop to visit Le Celle, the Franciscan hermitage at the base of Mount Sant’ Egidio, where St Francis and a few of his followers built the first nine cells and spent some time. This is a lovely cool setting with a natural waterfall seemingly forming the foundations for this retreat.

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We can also show you Frances Mayes’ home just outside Cortona which is featured in her book and called Bramasole. Cortona itself is a charming village to wander through, with a beautiful theatre and shops lining the main walkway selling all manner of Italian products including leather handbags, scarves and artworks. 

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Montepulciano is a larger village with a vast range of shopping, dining and wining to choose from. We will wind our way downhill from the impressive main square (Piazza Grande) featuring the Palazzo Comunale and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, past a myriad of interesting shops, restaurants, bars, and enotecas (wine shops).

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After enjoying a typical Tuscan lunch in a traditional osteria, enoteca or restaurant, you can choose to sample the well known Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in a nearby winery or take a detour back to Umbria to stroll the streets of delightful Castiglione del Lago and pick up some local Umbrian products.

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