Fuori Le Mure (Outside the Walls)

Today, we drove west from Assisi out of Umbria and into Tuscany for visits to Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino. A welcome change, we decided to leave the cities and focus on the country.

A front had moved through in the early morning with violent wind and driving rain, waking us with clattering shutters (their shutters really work here) and laundry that had to be taken off the clothes lines. But the next morning was fresh and renewed with a blue sky and puffy clouds. Excellent day for a country itinerary.

The region of Southern Tuscany called the Val d'Orcia, is the picturesque Tuscany that we think of when we think of, well, Tuscany. Rolling hills dotted with farmhouses. Tall cypresses, olive trees and acres of vineyards. Hill towns. Great vistas.

Two great wines come from this region: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino. We stopped in Montalcino for wine tasting in a 14th century fortress. But the star of the day was la campagna, the countryside. A perfect day all around.