WINTER IN MONTEPULCIANO. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AND MORE

Montepulciano does not slow down in winter. This is the best time of the year for unique activities Here some of our favorite!

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY

forget the gloomy winter scenario, Tuscany hills region can offer splendid days with dramatic views like the one below.  Brisk morning walks will reward you with the beauty of the landscapes, dramatic skies, great pictures and a good excuse to indulge with another winter treat: food!

view of the hills and valleys in a typical winter morning from Montepulciano

FOOD SCENE

OK cherry season is over but for the foodies visiting this part of Tuscany may be even better as it is the only time of the year where you can get some delicatessen. Truffles first but also mushrooms and venison, turnip greens (with sausages), kale (in Ribollita soup), boar (stewed with olives) and the omnipresent freshly-pressed olive oil (bruschetta!). All restaurants in Montepulciano are open during November and December months and boasting best season recipes. Some will close for annual vacation between mid January and mid March but there is always plenty of choice within and outside the town.

lightly cured beef with tartufo bianco (winter white truffle)

 

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

from the end of November to the beginning of January, every weekend in Montepulciano is cheered up with a lovely Christmas market with lights, stalls selling season and local produces, music, mulled wine... and all this set in a beautiful Renaissance background, what more! Oh by the way, even Santa left the Pole to settle in the city Fort. (More info on: http://www.nataleamontepulciano.it/)

Piazza grande and surrounding streets with festive lights and wooden stalls

 

NEW YEAR EVE IN MONTEPULCIANO

most of the town's restaurants design a special "capodanno menu" with their best recipes, needless to say to reserve well in advance. After dinner everyone gather in the main square by the gigantic bonfire (lit from the afternoon) to share wine, dance and wishes for the new year.

the bonfire in Montepulciano is lit in the 31 December and lasts 24h

RELAX AND SPAs

need to recover after the festivities or simply wish to treat yourself plunging in healthy mineral-rich water heated by mother-earth? Well just pick up one of the many hot-spring pool and Spas near Montepulciano. Enjoy a cold sunset or a rainy day in swimming wear.

Rapolano terme, one of the many open hot spring of the region

Autumn Fair in Montepulciano

 

Sunday the 16 th of October 2016

in Piazza Don Minzoni, Giardini di Poggiofanti and Via di Gracciano nel Corso (the lower end of Montepulciano) there will be the fabulous annual autumn market selling all kinds of typical local products and season speciality. From 9 am on.

Here comes the olive harvest 2015

Along with the wine another celebrated produce of this blessed land: the olive oil. I made these pictures few days ago during a walk around Montepulciano west side. Farmers were quite happy of the 2015 harvest outlook. Olives looked rich and healthy to me. It seems this summer long drought didn't affect the trees too much (or at least not in this area). Look forward to get the first sample of oil!

Old Olive Trees in the surrounding of Montepulciano

2015 Olives

Autumn in Tuscany

Oh, the colors...

Yes, this is definitely our favorite time of the year. October, November and December are the months when "foodies" get what they love: season's delicacies like mushrooms and truffles, fresh olive oil and, the best ingredient, cooler days to indulge in all the above ;)

Fall is when the Nature gives a final blast before the winter sleep and the color carousel begins.

Montepulciano grand Renaissance Temple devoted to San Biagio in full colors

Montepulciano from west in a bright October day. Vineyards just starting the foliage

All seasons in Tuscany are equally beautiful but when it comes to serious hiking Fall has its charm . My English Setter seems to appreciate it too. 

Beautiful foliage in the wood around Montepulciano

October and November has been one of the best season for wild mushroom hunting.

These pictures comes from the woods around Montepulciano and mostly show the king of local mushrooms: the porcini. Once harvested and cleaned the mushrooms are freshly cooked in a variety of recipes but one of the best is simply stir fried in olive oil with garlic cloves and local catmint.