One of my favorite, most memorable experiences in Italy was when I traveled with my best friend and her sister to Montalcino. It was the perfect Tuscan night!

If you plan to travel through Tuscany, I suggest staying in an agriturismo which is usually a working farm that supplements its income by having people stay and sometimes help on the farm. Many times the owners will use the produce from the farm in the food they prepare and serve. It isn’t too expensive and definitely worth it.

The perfect Tuscan night at Agriturismo Piombaia

We stayed at Agriturismo Piombaia, known for their Brunello wine and olive oil. The place was amazing! Lavender lined the pebble walkway and the outdoor pool. We had amazing views from our apartment windows that opened to let in the Tuscan air. We had brought wine, of course, and sat under a pergola on a perfect October night, taking in the sound of silence and the faint chant of the nearby monks. I always had a dream when I was a little girl to travel to Tuscany and watch the sunset, which I did my first trip to Italy and cried like a little girl. But there is nothing better than sipping wine, eating olives, and having the view we did from our agriturismo. Agriturismo Piombaia is located just outside of Montalcino and has a tavern and farmhouse restaurant attached, making it perfect for us our first night there since we didn’t have much energy after having some wine as the sunset. It has amazing food, wine, and view.

The Abbey of Sant’Antimo

Not far from where we stayed was the Abbey of Sant’Antimo. This is where the faint chanting came from our first night. We decided to go and watch the monks chant that following night. I must say, it brought chills to my skin with how beautiful and emotional it can be. I suggest you take the time to venture to the Abbey of Sant’Antimo.

Staying in Montalcino was a perfect place. It allowed us to take trips during the day to neighboring towns and take in the landscape and have a home base to come back to at the center of it all. We traveled to Montepulciano, Pienza, Siena, and many more places while staying there. I definitely recommend visiting and staying at an agriturismo. If you look online, there are many all over the place, which is a great way to experience the country, village, and culture you are in.