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.

AUGUST MAIN EVENTS IN MONTEPULCIANO

NOBIL EBBREZZA

From August 6 to 28, in the Fortress, Nobil Ebbrezza: an art contest and an art exhibition. Opening
hours daily from 10 am to 12.30 am and from 3.30 pm to 7 pm . Free admission The inauguration
will take place on August 6 to 18

FESTIVAL OF THE PATRON SAINT OF CONTRADA OF SAN DONATO

On Sunday, 7 August, in Piazza Grande, celebrations for the Festival of the Patron Saint of the
Contrada of San Donato also feature a contest reserved to young flag-wavers and drummers, open to
the children of all contradas aged up to 14 years. Big party and dinner in the Piazza Grande.

THRESHING FESTIVAL

From Friday 5 to Sunday 7 August, Threshing Festival in the village of Valiano. Historical re-
enactment of the threshing process, and gastronomic events with menus typical of the ancient rural
society of the Val di Chiana.

FESTIVAL OF SAN LORENZO, IN VALIANO

From Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 August, in Valiano, celebrations for the Festival of San Lorenzo,
and the classic Calici di Stelle (Goblets of Stars). Numerous activities including gastronomic events.
ADS Gruppo Sportivo La Rocca (Sports Association) – For info: tel. +39 0578 724242

CALICI DI STELLE, IN THE CENTRE OF MONTEPULCIANO

On Wednesday, 10 August, the historical town centre hosts “Calici di Stelle”, an itinerant tasting of
Vino Nobile and Vino Rosso di Montepulciano wines, with dinners in the contradas, live music in
the streets and in Piazza Grande, performances by flag-wavers and drummers, shows and a small
outdoor market on Via Ricci.
www.stradavinonobile.it – www.calicidistellemontepulciano.it – Tel. +39 0578 717484

BRUSCELLO POLIZIANO

Every evening from Friday 12 to Monday 15 August, starting at 9.15 p.m. in Piazza Grande, there is
the Bruscello, a community performance in which numerous actors and singers take part, clad in
period costumes, and with a large orchestra. This year’s title – Bravìum – is almost preparatory to the
other great event held on the last Sunday of the month. The show is both touching and fun, and is
staged in a unique setting – the Piazza – surrounded by historical Renaissance palazzos. For info:
www.bruscello.it – tel. +39 0578 758529

The beautiful setting of Piazza Grande during the Bruscello performance

The complete and updated list of all events is available in the “events” section of the website www.montepulcianoliving.it

AUGUST MAIN EVENTS IN MONTEPULCIANO

NOBIL EBBREZZA

From August 6 to 28, in the Fortress, Nobil Ebbrezza: an art contest and an art exhibition. Opening
hours daily from 10 am to 12.30 am and from 3.30 pm to 7 pm . Free admission The inauguration
will take place on August 6 to 18

FESTIVAL OF THE PATRON SAINT OF CONTRADA OF SAN DONATO

On Sunday, 7 August, in Piazza Grande, celebrations for the Festival of the Patron Saint of the
Contrada of San Donato also feature a contest reserved to young flag-wavers and drummers, open to
the children of all contradas aged up to 14 years. Big party and dinner in the Piazza Grande.

THRESHING FESTIVAL

From Friday 5 to Sunday 7 August, Threshing Festival in the village of Valiano. Historical re-
enactment of the threshing process, and gastronomic events with menus typical of the ancient rural
society of the Val di Chiana.

FESTIVAL OF SAN LORENZO, IN VALIANO

From Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 August, in Valiano, celebrations for the Festival of San Lorenzo,
and the classic Calici di Stelle (Goblets of Stars). Numerous activities including gastronomic events.
ADS Gruppo Sportivo La Rocca (Sports Association) – For info: tel. +39 0578 724242

CALICI DI STELLE, IN THE CENTRE OF MONTEPULCIANO

On Wednesday, 10 August, the historical town centre hosts “Calici di Stelle”, an itinerant tasting of
Vino Nobile and Vino Rosso di Montepulciano wines, with dinners in the contradas, live music in
the streets and in Piazza Grande, performances by flag-wavers and drummers, shows and a small
outdoor market on Via Ricci.
www.stradavinonobile.it – www.calicidistellemontepulciano.it – Tel. +39 0578 717484

BRUSCELLO POLIZIANO

Every evening from Friday 12 to Monday 15 August, starting at 9.15 p.m. in Piazza Grande, there is
the Bruscello, a community performance in which numerous actors and singers take part, clad in
period costumes, and with a large orchestra. This year’s title – Bravìum – is almost preparatory to the
other great event held on the last Sunday of the month. The show is both touching and fun, and is
staged in a unique setting – the Piazza – surrounded by historical Renaissance palazzos. For info:
www.bruscello.it – tel. +39 0578 758529

The complete and updated list of all events is available in the “events” section of the website www.montepulcianoliving.it

Flower Festival in Pienza 1-15 May 2016

PIENZA & FLOWERS FESTIVAL

The entire village of Pienza, will be transformed, from 1 to 15 May in a wonderful Italian-style garden and the beautiful arcaded courtyard of Palazzo Piccolomini will be literally covered in a large carpet of flowers (on 7 and 8 May only).
Millions of petals, skillfully selected and placed by the masters of famed Flower Festival in Genzano, will recreate the images of UNESCO sites in the world.

Pienza & Flowers was born many years ago thanks to the collaboration with the local botanist Dr Sirio Mangiavacchi, who dedicated much of its resources and its inventiveness to this event.

The goal was to create an high-quality flower exhibition that would enhance the architecture of Piazza Pio II and the Papal Palace by mixing  the floral character already present in classical architectural styles and a plant exhibition and market.

Pienza & flowers soon became a canonical Spring festival, a sort of floral blaze or a hymn preceding the summer and the new fruits. The event is part of the traditional Christian feast of Corpus Christi, with its characteristic floral procession

The festival is presently an important event for many local and Italian plant nursery.

If you like plants, flower and art you should not miss it!!!

E-BIKING helps enjoying hilly Tuscany

The electric bike is not just an eco-friendly means of transport, but it is a fast and new way to travel every day, and  it can arrive where other vehicles cannot. 
The Electric Pedal Assisted Bike is a brilliant invention, it allows everybody at any age to feel something special: just a few push thrusts and the “engine” (inserted in the wheel’s hub) starts helping the pedaling, and magically the bike becomes lighter, able to face even exacting slopes, typical of our roads.
It is suitable for everybody. It doesn’t need a license plate, vehicle registration tax, insurance, helmet (we will give it to you anyway). All this can be achieved with a kind of rental which removes any problem regarding the purchase and management of the E-Bike, intensifying the pleasure of driving it. 

rental proposal from e-biketuscany.com

The company e-biketuscany based in Pienza offers several  rental proposals in order to fulfill any requirement and service.
To this scope, E-Bike Tuscany selected performing e-bike brands and engines, well-known in Italy and in the world, which -respecting the traffic regulations- can reach high performance while driving a comfortable and high quality bike.

e-bike ride over Valdorcia

Further contact: info@e-biketuscany.com of visit https://www.facebook.com/ebikeitaly/

BIKING AROUND MONTEPULCIANO

Our region is characterized by gravel roads, breathtaking views, rolling hills, an ideal condition to be discovered even by bicycle.
To help you discover the true essence of our territory, (avoiding tourist traps or purely commercial offer) we are creating a network of companies dedicated to offering valuable services and entousiastic work. We started cooperate with Stefania and her bike renta company in Pienza (http://www.e-biketuscany.com) in order to allow you preferential rental rates for mountain bikes, racing bikes and and electric bikes.
They will recommend the routes to do during your holiday, depending on your needs and your training level.
You can also arrange excursions with English speaking guides who will take you (always taking into account your physical condition), to the most hidden corners.

When tired you can relax in front of a tasty picnic or making a stop in a small restaurant, personally chosen by the guide.

At Politian Apartments we offer a safe and special storage room for our guests bikes and equipment

Mountain bike excursion on the hills near Pienza

Montepulciano in the background

Guided tour in the forest around Chianciano

TREKKING ACTIVITIES ALL OVER THE YEAR

Reserved to Politian Apartments guests and their friends

Every Sunday, if you want to make a trekking tour with us and our friends, you are welcome
If you want to do a more thorough and independent excursions, we can organize a personal guided tour.
Lots of pictures from past excursions are posted on the local Trekking Association Facebook Page

dramatic view of Valdorcia in winter

trails around the village of Montepulciao among vineyards

  

Mid winter scene: green fields, gentle breeze and bright day

After a reinvigorating walk you can still enjoy the views from your apartment windows or lazing in the garden with a well deserved glass of wine. In our house, the clock is not an essential object ...

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