Winter in Tuscany | The Italian Adventure

This episode we are taking a tour of Tuscany during the wintertime, visiting beautiful spots like Lucca, Montepulciano, Pienza & Montalcino! Come along and see how this magical region celebrates the festive period and marvel at the famous landscapes that are just so typically Toscana.

Andiamo! Let’s go!

Please like and comment on the video! Please also subscribe; it helps to support my channel. Also please stay tuned as more episodes on my Italian Adventure will be on the way!

– David

P.S. Did you know that I’m a travel advisor? Going to Italy or perhaps to another bucket-list destination? I’d love to work with you so feel free to contact me for more information!

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Learn more about me and my upcoming projects by visiting me at: https://linkpop.com/somethingaboutdavid

“Something About David” is my blog where I will be sharing written stories on my website, and vlogs on Youtube. Follow me as I explore Italy from thigh to toe, immersing myself in the culture, traditions, food and history of this beautiful country. I want to highlight this country that I love so dearly through my personal lens as a traveller from Canada.

Some information narrated in this video are with thanks to visittuscany.com & wikipedia.com.

Music featured is from Epidemic Sound:
https://share.epidemicsound.com/uzawu0

This episode we’re taking a tour of some musy spots within the beautiful region of Tuscany Ani Tuscany is an area of about 23,000 Square km and hosts a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants nestled in the heart of central Italy Tuscany stands as a Timeless Masterpiece of ruling Hills Vineyards and medieval towns that Captivate the senses and stir the soul this enchanting region is

Renowned for its breathtaking Landscapes and is a quintessential destination that brings travelers to explore its extensive Beauty Luca is one of Tuscany’s most beloved artistic cities an unmissable part of any tour of the region nicknamed the town of a 100 churches it’s Unique among the city states for having

Maintained its independence up until the year 1847 historic circumstances demanded that Luca fortify itself and so its immense artistic and Architectural Heritage is surrounded by a massive Circuit of defensive walls this Square takes its name from the tiatro Delo built in 1817 on the ruins of the old public theater named

After the flower on the bourbon coat of Arms look at was built to a medieval plan and much of its architecture Bears witness to the various historical ages that it’s lived through the most notable of these is the Roman Amphitheater converted into Piaza Del aatro by the architect Lorenzo Nini this Amphitheater is where Gladiator shows and games were

Traditionally held and it was built in Luca in the second half of the 1st Century ad from the 6th Century ad the amphitheater was fortified for military purposes and its outer Arch were closed between 1830 and 1839 the buildings occupying the ancient area were pulled down and the inner area became a Piaza Luca used to have around 250 defensive Tower houses today only about nine Remain the towers were built during the mercenary fielded post plague years in Italy when it made sense to have a personal defensive tower now can visit one of the remaining few the 125 ft High

Guiji towerhouse built around 1384 it offers a bird’s eye view of the city and features a rooftop Garden built in the 16th and 17th centuries the stunning City walls of Luca run for more than 4 km and are strengthened by no fewer than 10 bastions enjoyable for lovely passata the wall offers the best vantage point over the City a short walk from the train station this 19th century neoclassical Aqueduct brought water to Luca from the mountains south of the city through a stone Channel supported by more than 400 arches stretching for over 3 Km Monte Pano is one of the larger hilltowns in Tuscany dating back to the 4th Century BC to the time when this land was inhabited by the atrans between the 9th century and 1st Century BC they left behind caves and ancient structures some of which can still be seen on a

Visit to the town The Monto puchan that we see today was built around the 14th century ad like many of the other surrounding Tuscan Hill Towns Visiting an underground wine seller like here at toosa is one of the best experiences you can have in the village you can enjoy the atmosphere and beautiful wines while visiting on a tour or even just by popping in for a Tasting Pat Grande is the main square of the town and is lined with some of its most important buildings the cathedral was built between 1586 and 1680 based on a design by iito Scara from Orvietto this well was designed designed by Antonio Das sangalo with the medich Cod of arms and on the back the lily of Florence between the two Majestic Lions the similarities between The Palazo communale of M Pano and The Palazo deoria of Florence are rather impressive however this was not by chance but rather it was a request personally by Cosimo idii for one of the best views of the Town climb to the top of the clock tower of The Palazo Christmas in Monto Pano features one of the biggest Christmas markets in Italy with more than 65 wooden houses covered food areas and plenty of family attractions starting with Santa Claus’s Castle set up in the nearby Fortress it’s an absolute Joy walking around the market seeing some local handcraft

Beautiful food and sweets available to purchase and maybe even some gift ideas for Christmas time in addition to the big Christmas tree in Piaza Grande the market takes place in the upper part of the city between there and Via sandonato hosting exhibitors from all over Italy as the heart and soul of the Renaissance Tuscany was an incredibly important Cultural Center consequently being a major influence of the commercial and artistic development of Europe and indeed the world whilst Italian clearly shares a close relationship with the Latin language the modern Italian that is spoken throughout

The country today is based upon the Tuscan dialect which was formed during the Renaissance period in the Fortress visitors can discover where Santa Claus and his elves stay and children can visit the magical kitchen the Winter Garden ride local ponies the SLE and much more the building you see today dates

Back to the year 1271 and it was built by the cenes during the struggles against the florentines but it fell into disrepair after the earthquake of 1614 the town has made an appearance in quite a few movies including Under the Tuscan Sun the Twilight Saga new Moon The English Patient and A midsummer’s Night’s Dream montiano is close to the town of kiano tame known for its thermal Springs visitors can enjoy the healing properties of the thermal Waters which have been popular since Roman Times the town is also associated with the Renaissance poet and humanist Angelo ambrogini known as pitan he was born in Monto Pano in 1454 and is considered one of the leading figures of Italian Renaissance Literature Montano also hosts an annual event called the bravio delti a historic Barrel Rolling competition that takes place in August the event is a mix of athletic competition and celebration with participants represent pres in different districts of the Town one of the accesses to Monte Pano is this double door with both a semicircular and a pointed Arch Pienza is a small town situated in the Vala just 15 kilometers from Monte Pano 20 from monino and about 50 km away from Sienna the name comes from Pope Pas II who was born here and it means the city of pasas Coro IL rosino is the street that runs through the historic City Center it runs from the Puerto Al Plato on the west side of of town to the pora

Alilio on the east side of town to walk from one end to the other takes just about 5 minutes so that gives you an idea of just how small this little town is peino deanza is a local cheese made of sheep’s milk there are several varieties of the cheese but the two main

Varieties are a red rind seasoned with tomato juice and a black rind that is an aged peino this famous tuskin cheese can be found on menus everywhere and in shops throughout Pienza perfect with a cured meat and a glass of Wine Ania Sylvio picol me was elected as Pope Pas II in the year 1458 and he wanted to transform his birthplace the anonymous Village of corano into the ideal Renaissance town for this reason he hired Bernardo rosalino the architect to build Pienza in accordance with humanist urban planning Concepts the construction of Pienza

Started around the following year on top of this ancient Hamlet and it took about 4 years to create a harmonious 15 Century town which has actually remained practically unchanged over the Centuries branching off from the main thorough Fair there are smaller streets that lead to restaurants shops viewpoints and further characterful Alleyways Pat Pio II is the Hub of pianza as all of the town’s main monuments are located in the square the square was rebuilt again by roselo and it’s flanked by the cathedral and and three palaces one for the government one for the bishop and one for the pope

Himself Pienza is the only Renaissance Town Center in Italy to survived the centuries perfectly intact the cathedral was built on the remains of the Romanesque Church of St Mary the facade is typical of the Renaissance and is divided into three parts by arched columns but also has

Some Gothic influences that Pope Pas II saw during his travels on the left wing there’s an octagonal Bell Tower works of art in the cathedral include five alter paintings from the Cen school and there’s also a Baptist tree next to the apps of the Church the town hall is the most recent of the buildings on the Piaza with its ample Loa and facade decorated with a scratch plaster technique and a brick Tower the brick Bell Tower which is shorter than the cathedrals was done intentionally to symbolize the superior power of the church

Pienza hosts an annual Festival dedicated to peino cheese showcasing various types and flavors of this local delicacy the festival attracts both locals and visitors interested in tasting and celebrating the renowned cheese running along the southern end of Pienza is a walkway along the city walls from here you have a beautiful view

Again over the valley and the buildings of Pienza the prettiest stretch is between the cathedral and pora Cho on the east side of Town Among the four streets of Love via d bacho meaning the street of kisses with its wonderful panoramic Viewpoint over the region is probably the most characterful as well as the classic place to be immortalized in a souvenir photo Via del Amore via DEA Fortuna And Via buya are very small and perhaps for this reason are particularly suitable as a backdrop for secret meetings of couples in Love This Gothic style Roman Catholic Church was founded in the 13th century by franciscans from the monastery of corano the exterior is rustic and incomplete but the interior once was densely populated by 14th century Fresco a few still remain depicting the life of St Francis Dreaming of your next vacation as an experienced travel professional I would be happy to help you plan a tailor me itinerary visit me online at somethingabout david.com for any Inquiries Main Street of Pienza which runs from north to south starts from this doorway at pora Al a rather imposing medieval gate which preserves a fresco in the upper part representing the Virgin Mary protecting the city of Pienza medal castles ancient Villages gorgeous farmhouses isolated homesteads roads lined with cypress trees fabulous Vineyards and Olive Groves and golden fields of grain and sunflowers these are just some of the elements that form the fantastic and harmonious Landscapes of the Vala in 2004 the entire Valley was

Included on the list of unesco’s world cultural landscapes This area is so spectacular that director Ridley Scott chose this area for some scenes in his year 2000 famous film Gladiator two Farms were featured in the film p terap and the poja Manali which is shown Here Montalcino is a gem of history and art buried deep in the hills of the Valor this medieval city immediately welcomes the visitors into its old original medieval layout with its straight steep streets and breathtaking panoramas awaiting at the top montal Chino is also known as the town that produces Brunello de monino

One of the most famous Wines in the world in the mid 19th century a group of wine makers began to experiment with the indigenous Sano grape and they came up with a wine able to withstand years of aging and actually improve over that time Brello actually translates roughly

To little dark one and is the local vernacular for the name of the Grapes Here the Patti company is one of the oldest and only one to have a seller in the center of town right underneath the family house the seller can be visited for shopping their products but also for tastings and tours in the summer it’s actually possible to taste the wine

Outdoors in the garden which has a beautiful view over the enti entire valdor Cha during the tour it’s also possible to visit their private collection of older vintages collected inside a circular well with a visit to the Sellar you’ll be able to retrace the history of Brunello de monino for 27 centuries of padeletti Monto Chino’s main square is the Piaza Del poo where you’ll find the town hall palu communale also known as The Palazo de priori this 13th century building is adorned with the coat of arms of the numerous Governors who have run the city over the course of the centuries its slender structure is

Flanked by a tall Bell Tower which might almost like a watchtower were it not forth compon the big Bell whose Rings beat out the Rhythm of Life in Montalcino even Today the main street of Montalcino is lined with restaurants Boutique shops and of course more wine shops the town has a very quiet and residential feel to it which is a welcome change during a visit to some of the other well-known villages in the Area valdoria is a favorite location for photographers capturing the changing colors of the landscape throughout the seasons the combination of the Rolling Hills wheat fields and medieval Villages create a Timeless and enchanting setting did you know that valoria is crossed by the ancient pilgrimage route known as via Fran Jana which connected

Canterbury and England to Rome today it attracts hikers and Walkers who follow the historic path through the picturesque Landscapes of Tuscany Brunell de monino alongside keti are probably the most prestigious of all Italian wines in 1980 Brunello became the first wine in Italy to obtain the denom orig control aan status which is

The highest level of Italian wine classification balino hosts an annual Harvest Festival called the Festa deua celebrating the grape Harvest and wine making Traditions the festival includes parades music food and of course wine tasting A W I hope you all had a fantastic tour of Tuscany until next time Adima did you enjoy this episode please hit the like button and subscribe to be in the know for future episodes