Feb. 16, 2025

155. Italy - Tuscany Beyond Florence - Countryside, Wine & Medieval Towns

Show Notes
Transcript

Explore the heart of rural Italy with Johnny Mac as he ventures into the Tuscan countryside! From the towers of San Gimignano to the vineyards of Chianti, and from the medieval streets of Siena to the thermal springs of Val d'Orcia, discover the soul of Tuscany. Learn about wine tasting etiquette, how to find the best agriturismo experiences, and when to visit the region's most charming towns. Perfect for food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and anyone seeking the authentic Tuscan experience.

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Kalaroga Shark Media.

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Hey everyone, Johnny mackare with Traveler is back today we're

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exploring the magical Tuscan countryside. While Florence might be the

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star of Tuscany, the rolling hills, medieval towns, and incredible

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wine countries surrounding it are absolutely worth your time. From

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the towers of San Jimminyano to the ancient streets of Siena,

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and from Chianti's vineyards to the thermal springs of Valdorka,

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We're going to discover everything you need to know about

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experiencing the heart of Tuscany. Let's dive in. Let's start

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with how to explore this region. While there are buses

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and trains connecting the major towns, having a car really

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opens up the Tuscan countryside. Unlike the Amalfi Coast, driving

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here is much more manageable. The roads are well maintained

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and less crowded. Just remember that many historic town centers

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are restricted to residents only, so you'll need to park

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outside and walk in. Always look for signs saying ZTL

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zone A TRAFFICOLMITADO. Entering these zones without permission can result

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in hefty fines. First stop Siena. This medieval masterpiece is

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one of Tuscany's absolute must see destinations. The city's heart

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is the Piazza del Campo, one of Europe's greatest medieval squares.

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It's famous for the Paleo, a historic horse race held

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twice each summer where different districts of the city compete.

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Even if you're not here for the Palio, the square

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is amazing. Sit at a cafe people watch and admire

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the towering Palazzo Publica with its stunning frescoes. Siena's Duomo

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is one of Italy's most striking cathedrals, with its distinctive

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black and white marble stripes. Here's a tip. Get the

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combined Opa Sea Pass ticket. It includes access to the cathedral,

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the library with its amazing frescoes, the crypt, the baptistry,

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and the panoramic view from the unfinished facade. The view

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alone is worth the climb, giving you a fantastic perspective

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of the city and surrounding countryside. For food lovers, Sienna

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is known for peache, a thick hand rolled pasta that's

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usually served with wild boar, ragou or a simple tomato sauce.

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Try it at one of the traditional restaurants in the

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contrade city districts. Away from the main square, you'll get

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better food at better prices, and don't miss the local pastries,

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particularly rich Eurelli almond cookies and panforte, a dense fruit

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and nutcake. Moving on to San Jemignano, often called the

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Manhattan of the Middle Ages because of its medieval towers.

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Of the original seventy two towers, fourteen remain today, creating

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an unforgettable skyline climb the Torre Grosa the tallest remaining tower,

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for incredible views of the Tuscan countryside. While San Jimignano

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can get very crowded during peak hours, it's magical in

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the early morning or evening when the day trippers have left.

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Here's a local secret. While everyone lines up for the

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famous gelato at gelateriadan Noli in the main square, which

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is excellent, there's another amazing gelatia called Gelato Depa Yazza

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just around the corner, with shorter lines and equally delicious flavors.

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Try their saffron gelato. It's made with local saffron from

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the surrounding hills. Let's talk about wine country. The Kiyanti

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region and between Florence and Sienna is probably Tuscany's most

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famous wine area. But don't just drive through. Plan to

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stop at some wineries for tastings. Many offer tours where

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you can learn about wine production and the strict rules

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that govern Kianti classico wines. Some top wineries to consider

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our Costello di Brolio, which has been producing wine since

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eleven forty one, and Anti Nori nil Kianti Classico, with

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its stunning modern architecture. Two tips for wine tasting. First,

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many wineries require reservations, so plan ahead. Second, consider hiring

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a driver or joining a tour if you want to

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do multiple tastings. The roads are winding and the local

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police take drunk driving very seriously. The Valdorsia region is

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where you'll find those classic Tuscan landscapes, rolling hills, cypress trees,

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and hilltop towns that look like they're straight out of

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a Renaissance painting. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

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and once you see it, you'll understand why the towns

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of Pienza and Montalcino are the stars here. Pienza is

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known as the ideal city of the Renaissance because it

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was completely rebuilt in the fifteenth century as a planned

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urban utopia. It's also famous for its piccorino cheese. The

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sheep grazing on the surrounding hills produce milk for some

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of Italy's best sheep's milk cheese. Visit one of the

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many cheese shops for tastings, and don't miss the aged

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varieties that have been matured in walnut leaves or under ashes.

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Montalcino is home to Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy's

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most prestigious wines, and the town itself is beautiful, but

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it's the surrounding vineyards and the views from the fortress

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that really make it special. If you're interested in wine,

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plan to spend at least half a day here visiting wineries.

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Many offer tours that include lunch with wine pairings. It's

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a great way to understand how these wines pair with

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local cuisine. Be right back, let's talk about thermal springs,

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because Tuscany has some amazing ones. The most famous is

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Termadi Saturnia, where hot springs create natural pools in the

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travertine rock. But here's a tip. While the main thermal

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resort is beautiful. Head to the Cascatti del Molino nearby.

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It's the same thermal water, but in a natural setting

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and it's free. Just bring water shoes as the rocks

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can be slippery. For a unique experience, consider staying in

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an agriturismo. These are working farms that offer accommodations. They

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range from simple rooms to luxury villas, but all offer

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a chance to experience rural Tuscan life. Many serve dinner

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using products from their own farms, and some offer cooking

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classes where you can learn to make pasta, bread or

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other local specialties. Here's something many visitors miss, the Crete

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Sineesi regions south of Siena. This area looks almost lunaric

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with its gray clay hills and isolated farmhouses. It's particularly

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beautiful in early morning or late afternoon when the light

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creates dramatic shadows. The abbey of Monte oliveto Maggiore here

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has amazing frescoes depicting the life of Saint Benedict, and

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the surrounding cypress trees are just perfect for photography. Speaking

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of photography, let's talk about catching those iconic tusk and shots.

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The best light is during the golden hours around sunrise

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and sunset. Some perfect spots include the view of San

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Jiminiano from the south, the Valdorcia from the road between

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Pienza and Sankirico Dorcia, and the crete Cinesi from the

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road to Ashchiano. Remember that many of the best views

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are from regular roads. Don't be afraid to pull over

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when it's safe to do so. For food lovers, each

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area has its specialties. Besides the peachy pasta in Siena

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and Pecorino and Pienza, look for ribelita, a hardy vegetable

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and bread soup, bistecca ala Fiorentina, the famous tee bone

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steak always ordered by weight and always served rare, and

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crostini nary chicken liver pas on toasted bread. In fall,

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this is truffle country. Many restaurants offer special truffle menus,

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and you can even go on truffle hunting expeditions with

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trained dogs. Timing is crucial for visiting Tuscany. Spring April,

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May and fall September October are ideal, with comfortable temperatures

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and beautiful colors. Summer can be very hot and August

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is when many Italians take their vacations, so some smaller

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businesses might be closed. Winter can be lovely too. Imagine

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staying in an agriturismo with a fireplace, enjoying harty Tuscan

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food and wine. If you're interested in festivals, plan around

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events like the Palio in Siena July second and August sixteenth,

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the Bravio de la Botti in Montepulciano last Sunday of August,

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where teams roll wine barrels up the steep streets, or

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the various harvest festivals in fall. These events give you

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a chance to see traditional customs that have been celebrated

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for centuries. For active travelers, consider renting bikes. Many companies

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offer e bikes, which make those Tuscan hills much more manageable.

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The area between Pienza and Montepulciano is particularly good for cycling,

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with relatively quiet roads and stunning views. There are also

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numerous hiking trails, including the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage

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route that passes through some of Tuscany's most beautiful areas.

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And Hey, if you're enjoying these travel guides and want

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to hear them without commercials. Head over to Caalaroga dot

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com slash plus. The link is right there in the

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show notes. Until next time, I'm Johnny Mack and Travel

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is Back.

155. Italy - Tuscany Beyond Florence - Countryside, Wine & Medieval Towns

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