This tour featuressome of the finest hill towns in southern Tuscany and first stop will be theperfect little Renaissance village of Pienza. Originally called Corsignano, itwas the home town of Pope Pius II and he decided to turn it into the perfectUtopian town and showcase of Renaissance architecture, indeed, he visualised itas being a rival to Florence. He commissioned the architect Rossellino to buildthe cathedral, Piazza and other major buildings. Unfortunately, Pius died quitesoon afterwards, so the great city remained a village but with a beautifulRenaissance heart which is a joy to visit. The surrounding area is also famousfor its production of Pecorino cheese, reflected in the many shops here whereyou can try and buy. Not far from here is Montalcino, famous for the productionof Brunello wine and its imposing fortress. It is a lovely town to strollaround and of course to taste its legendary wines. Final visit of the day willbe to Montepulciano, highest of these 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.
