Two of the finest hilltowns in Tuscany are part of today’s tour, plus the stunningly beautiful Abbeyof St. Antimo. First stop will be Montalcino, famous for the production ofBrunello wine and its imposing fortress. It is a lovely town to stroll aroundand of course to taste its legendary wines. Tuscany has some incrediblybeautifully sited abbeys and it is hard to choose a favourite, but theRomanesque St. Antimo has to be near the top. It is splendidly isolated andnestles between olive clad hills, with breath-taking views in all directions;it is also wonderfully peaceful. From here, a short drive will bring you toMontepulciano, highest of the Tuscan hill towns, at 665 metres. It is astunningly good looking town, with beautiful squares and amazing vistas inwhichever direction you look and city walls built by the leading Florentinearchitect, Antonio da Sangallo in 1511. As if all this were not enough, it isalso home to the delicious ‘Vino Nobile’ wines.
