Mapping MONTALCINO

Whatever road you take when leaving Montalcino - you're in for some of Tuscany's most magnificent drives. The obvious choice is to cruise the hills of the Val d'Orcia, with pit stops in San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza on route to Montepulciano. Then there is that breathtaking round trip towards Castelnuovo dell'Abate with Romanesque Sant'Antimo abbey , Castiglione d'Orcia and the Bagno Vignoni hot springs . However, travelers exhausted from too much Brunello tasting should consider a much simpler option, which is also perfect for sunset lovers and improvised photographers.  The 20 minutes drive from Montalcino via Tavernelle to Camigliano, takes the seasoned traveler along Tuscany's usual suspects: vineyards, olive groves, cypress lined roads and vineyards again. Here and there bits of forest are strewn into the mix, but the best part of this drive lies in the gorgeous views towards the hills and mountains of the Maremma (the area stretching along So...

You know fall is in the air when you see the  Sagra del Galletto  in Camigliano  on the calendar. The first weekend in October wakes this sleepy corner in the municipality of Montalcino to its busiest time of year. The grill, tents and tables are set up, the  Pozzo  dance floor is swept clean and, most importantly, the kitchen fills up with different generations who come together to prepare local specialities. Days of preparation and lots of laughter

Even though the two big events of Montalcino's festival season ( JAZZ&WINE and MUSICA REALE ) already came to a close, music lovers are still in time to enjoy a few gigs and concerts in an around Brunello town this August. 

Wondering what to do on a sultry summer’s eve? How about dinner and blues under the stars at the good ol’ Pozzo in Camigliano? Since 2006, the Cultural and Recreational Association of Camigliano has reopened its stage for two evenings to both Italian and international blues performers after serving a home-style dinner made by the very same hands that prepare the annual Sagra del Galletto on the first weekend of October (more on that to come). A.C.R. Camigliano collaborate with Torrita Blues’ organizer Luca Romani to select the main acts to perform at Camigliano Blues while the opening performers compete in the Effetto Blues category at the Torrita Blues festival. Saturday, July 28 th begins with the acoustic Fire and Water Duo from Italy. Next Blues Explosion heats up the stage with guitarist and vocalist Texas Slim straight from Dallas, harmonicist and vocalist Brian Templeton and the smooth vocals of Vivian Vance Kelly. On Saturday, August 4 th , the D...