Blogs from Pienza, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Geo: 43.0789, 11.6789... read more

A Little History, Pienza, Tuscany and the Val D’Orcia So, we have told you a little about gelato and friends, shopping and cappuccinos. We’ve talked about walks and weather but today… a little history. The building we live in was built in the 13th century. The walls are very thick and made of stone. All of Pienza is made of this beautiful old stone. But…did you know that Pienza did not start out as Pienza? Originally it was Corsignano, beginning in the 8th century. We visit the original church (Parish Church of Corsignano) that was built during this time period. This area was already very old in the 4-5 centuries B.C. and right through the settlements of the Etruscans and Romans. Even before that 4.5 M years ago, this area was covered by the sea. There ... read more

Dateline: Pienza, Italy Well, the excitement this week is that Rick Steves and his crew are at Cretaiole (www.cretaiole.it) , an Agriturismo owned by the wonderful Isabella Moricciani and her family. You may remember from our blogs a few years ago that we stayed at Cretaiole, which is an amazing farm, and got to know Isabella. Evidently Rick is filming an episode about this area and part of it will be about the beautiful Cretaiole. We’ll let you know, when we know, the episode is coming out! If you’re coming to Tuscany you want to stay here ;-) Our friend Claudia texted us to “Get up!”, so we could go do something before the rains come in. While I was getting dressed, Cope walked over to the Friday Farmer’s Market and picked up some beautiful, large ... read more

We leave Cortona heading to our morning destination of Montepulciano, famous for their wines! Up until now, I have not seen any vineyards. Although I have passed through lots of farmland, they have been primarily plowed over fields of wheat with some sunflowers. Now I start to see the vineyards. Arrive in Montepulciano. I leave my bike with our guide Mark and walk the town utilizing my guidebook that I had downloaded onto my iPhone. It's nice for me to have a gudiebook to point out the usual items that I would walk right past. My afternoon ride is an extension ride that our guide Pierre mapped out for me. While the ride was rewarding with steep climbs to beautiful vistas, it had some very off-piste sections (gravel). The town of Petroio was particularly charming. I ... read more

Geo: 43.0789, 11.6789Pienza, is a town which was totally redesigned by Pope Pius the 2nd, who came from there. He certainly knew what he was doing as this town is a delight to walk through. However it is popular which means parking is difficult in such a small place. Luckily we found that by driving out down the main road there is free parking only 10 minutes walk down the hill. The town is entered through the archway in the old city wall and really comprises of one main narrow pedestrian street with lots of lovely shops particularly cheese and wine stores. The church has several quite nice altar pieces but as it has been built on the very edge of the hill it has started to crack as the earth below has moved. How long ... read more