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Montisi
Montisi is an historic village located about half way between Rome and Florence, in southern Tuscany. Siena lies to the north while the wine towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino are about 10 miles away to the south and to the west. The village is sited on the ridge of hills separating the Val di Chiana and the Crete Senesi, a unique landscape of rolling hills, and close to the stunning Val D’Orcia, a World Heritage Site.
A hot air balloon flight is a wonderful way to take in the unspoilt landscape and whilst you are in the area, here are a few ideas of what to do in Montisi and the surroundings:
Book an hour-long walking tour of the village to learn its history, and to feel at home. Take a Quad bike tour for a half-day ride through the fields and back trails, go horseback-riding, or visit surrounding villages, monasteries, Etruscan and Rome ruins, or enjoy a coffee or glass of wine in a village piazza.
For serious bikers, rent high quality bicycles and enjoy our hills or take a lesson or two in painting and drawing with one of Montisi’s professional artists. Book a wine tour or a tasting either in Montisi, or in the nearby wineries producing Brunello, Chianti and Vino Nobile. Take day excursions to see the great art and architecture of Tuscany’s historic cities Florence and Siena, shop for Italian designer wares, hear Gregorian chants, wander through Arezzo, famous for antiques, or relax in the hot mineral waters of Bagno Vignoni.
You can read more about Montisi at http://montisi-montalcino.com.
Look at our Facebook pages for news and more pictures.
Recommended Places to Stay…
La Romita Hotel and Restaurant, we owe a special thanks to Alberto and La Romita for the use of their field to launch our balloons. It is located centrally within Montisi and houses an excellent restaurant, comfortable lounges, and quiet corners. The hotel is surrounded by lovely gardens with stunning views of the countryside. The property has a large sun-drenched swimming pool.
Casa Parva is a small, charming one bedroom self-contained apartment in the heart of medieval Montisi. It has been fully restored and renovated to an excellent standard, with antiques, paintings, and attention to detail. Antonella Piredda, the owner, is also a tourist guide and a cheese and wine expert. Minimum stay 3 nights.
La Grancia, in Montisi, is a rare 14th century fortified farmhouse, with four elegantly furnished apartments. Guests have the use of extensive gardens and a lovely swimming pool and barbecue facilities with dramatic views over the valley and the countryside. Bookings are for the week, Saturday to Saturday, or by arrangement for shorter periods.
La Locanda del Castello is located at San Giovanni d’Asso, also close to Montisi. The hotel sits within the walls surrounding the castle which dates back to the Sixteenth century. It has nine refurbished and individually decorated rooms.
Cretaiole is located just outside of Pienza, between the two great wine regions Montepulciano and Montalcino in the heart of the magnificent Val d’Orcia which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Let the Moricciani family invite you into their lives to share their Tuscan heritage with you while you are enjoying cooking classes, olive oil and wine tastings, balloon flights, guided tours and more.
Casa Moricciani is the perfect place to stay for independent travelers desiring to experience authentic Tuscany in refined luxury and style.
La Casa di Adelina is an intimate B & B located in the square of the small and charming village of Monticchiello, a few kilometers from Pienza.
Relais Ortaglia (a Rick Steves recommended property) is a beautifully restored 17th century Tuscan Villa B&B and Organic Olive Grove in the heart of Tuscany in the Hilltop town of Montepulciano famous for its Vino Nobile. They have an amazing position overlooking San Biagio, Montepulciano, Val D’Orcia, Pienza and a glimpse of Monte Amiata on a clear crisp day. Ortaglia is an ancient farm dating back to 1650 and is a unique combination of luxury and Tuscan Farmhouse. They offer many activities such as “Ballooning in Tuscany”, private VIP tours, cooking classes, pizza & craft beer night in their forno, private wine tastings, exclusive private chef dinner for 2 “in the vineyard/grove”, bike & Vespa rentals/tours, local Pienza farm tour with cheese tasting, vintage & luxury car rentals with couture (“in the vineyard/grove”) destination weddings and events! For special “Ballooning in Tuscany” rates please contact B&B Owner Sandy Ferretti direct: https://www.relaisortaglia.com/en/ or tuscany@ortaglia.it
Il Girasole is a hilltop bed and breakfast in the beautiful Val d’Orcia park, with panoramic views from Montepulciano and Montefollonico to the Amiata mountain. Its five rooms are furnished in a traditional Tuscan style and feature picturesque terraces from which to enjoy the surrounding landscape.
La Chiusa is a stunning boutique hotel and restaurant, nestled in the hills of Tuscany in a former olive oil mill. Each of its 19 rooms are uniquely decorated and furnished to provide the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day exploring the region.
Villa Poggiano is grand 18th century villa, restored and converted into a boutique hotel, complete with marble swimming pool. Just two kilometres from Montepulciano and set amongst beautiful parkland, you will enjoy luxury and tranquillity with the warm welcome of a family-run hotel.
Personal Guides
Antonella Piredda,
Having a private guide in Tuscany is the best way to get to know the area, its culture, its people. With a personal guide you can have access to innumerable lesser known art treasures in a landscape of incomparable beauty. You can discover the world of wine and food at a more relaxed pace than that of mass tourism. Antonella offers specially tailored guided tours to follow your balloon flight. Highly recommended!
Francesca Fumi Cambi Gado,
Official Guide for Siena and its territory. Countess, Art Historian, Writer, Scholar of Renaissance Bronze Sculpture, Heraldry and Symbolism, lives and works between Tuscany and Umbria. She also taught at the University of Siena and occasionally cooperates with American Universities in Florence. Many of her writings focus on Medieval and Renaissance Art, Coats of Arms and Symbolism. Francesca can also accompany you on board the balloon and be your guide in the air while flying over Siena and the surrounding areas, please contact us by phone or email for more details. You can find more information about Francesca at: https://personalguideinsiena.wordpress.com
Tailor-made breaks, Art and Paining Courses, Wine Tours, Gastronomic Tours & Cookery Classes
Avignonesi is at the forefront of organic and bio-dynamic farming methods to craft distinct, genuine wines with an even stronger character, and has acquired additional vineyards and a state-of-the-art wine-making facility in the Montepulciano appellation. Choose from Midday Tour and Gourmet Wine Tasting Lunch – Cooking Class – Hot-air Balloon Tour and Wine-paired Gourmet Brunch – Wine & Gourmet Ferrari Tour.
Elizabeth Cochrane, offers watercolour lessons for beginners. Even if you have never painted before (and even if you believe you can’t) Elizabeth’s carefully-planned tuition will help your artistic talents blossom. Your morning lesson will take place in the private courtyard of her home in Montisi, where you will be taken step by step through the process of creating a complete watercolour painting.
Montisi Magica, offers organised holidays for individuals and small groups in and around Montisi, giving the opportunity to enjoy village life and everything the area has to offer. For a creative break of painting, cooking, tasting and sight-seeing, or a tailor-made holiday of activities and relaxation – such as walking, cycling, historic sites, thermal baths, wines, cheeses, olive oils – for a week or just a long weekend – Ann Alexander makes sure that you enjoy every second of your stay and make the most of the richness of the landscape.
COOKERY CLASSES – TUSCAN CHEF LITTLE KITCHEN, run by Alessandro Piccinini. The cuisine is based on fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. It is simple and deeply rooted in the Tuscan and Italian tradition with some exceptions, and with a more modern reinterpretation.
Other ideas for visiting
The region maintains a very good website called Terre di Sienna for the sites and attractions in the Siena Province. The site includes information on the many museums and historic sites within the area. Well worth a look.
RESTAURANTS and CAFES, all within the immediate area of Montisi
MONTISI
Il Barrino (€€) is a bar run by a good friend of ‘Ballooning in Tuscany’ – Gianluca. Situated at the heart of the village, it serves excellent coffee, drinks, newspapers, etc. Upstairs is the friendly and informal Trattoria, where Gianluca’s chef prepares seasonal specialties.
La Romita (€€€), also in the centre of the village, is run by our friends Alberto and Giovanna Bindi, with the food cooked by Giovanna, a Cordon Bleu chef. The food is superb and featuring a very special cuisine: traditionally Tuscan but with some elements of Medieval and Renaissance recipes. Lunch, dinner, and always book a reservation.
Taverna da Roberto (€€) is a restaurant run by Roberto Crocenzi who has a broad knowledge of wines and Slow Food. Roberto sources all of the food locally, and the menu is seasonal. The restaurant is normally only open for lunch, with tables both indoor and outdoors. Reservations are recommended 0577-845159.
Ritorno di Fiamma is located at the heart of the village on the tiny central piazza, this new restaurant serves a full menu of light lunches, beers and wines indoors or outdoors on the panoramic view terrace at the back of the restaurant. At night the menu expands to include many seasonal specialty dishes.
SAN GIOVANNI D’ASSO
La Locanda del Castello, (€€) is located in the old part of this small ancient hamlet inside the walls of the town and directly by the castle, dating back to the Sixteenth century. It has indoor and outdoor seating and friendly service, with local specialties such as white truffles for which San Giovanni d’Asso is famous. (Truffles are very seasonal; white truffles in late Autumn/Fall; March truffles in Spring.)
TREQUANDA
Ristorante Conte Matto, (€€€) is owned by Davide and his family with an excellent menu of Tuscan classic dishes accompanied by an extensive list of Italian wines. Indoor dining rooms and outdoor seating on a lovely terrace.
Ristorante Osteria Ciriera, (€) VEGAN bar/restaurant serving Italian breakfasts, with simple, authentic, and tasty dishes for lunch and dinner. Located in the piazza, close to the village church.
Pizzeria Paradiso, (€) Arguably the best pizza in the area. It’s also very popular with the locals so you probably need to book a table in advance +39 0577 662313
CASTELMUZIO
Casal Mustia, (€€) is a small restaurant, cafe/bar (and hotel) in the centre of this typical Tuscan village, just ten minutes drive from Montisi. Friendly staff, and great food serving locally sourced and quality food. Choose from the outdoor seating in the piazza, or upstairs in the small restaurant.
