Close to the cities of Florence and Lucca is the stunning hilltop town of Montecarlo. This small Tuscan settlement was founded in 1333 by Charles V, a Roman Emperor and was named after him by the townspeople; Monte Carlo means ‘Hill of Charles’.
Tourists would welcome a few peaceful days here in one of many gorgeous rental accommodation available in the picturesque Montecarlo area. If you’re a wine expert or just a lover, you’d certainly enjoy an exploration of the town and its surrounding vineyard farms as Montecarlo is especially famous for its wines!
Tourists would welcome a few peaceful days here in one of many gorgeous rental accommodation available in the picturesque Montecarlo area. If you’re a wine expert or just a lover, you’d certainly enjoy an exploration of the town and its surrounding vineyard farms as Montecarlo is especially famous for its wines!
Begin the day with a trip to a winemaking farm like Tenuta del Buonamico where you will be treated to the taste of many delicious and unique wines, made using some classic French methods on Italian grapes. Visitors will learn all about how the wine is made, why its tastes the way it does and much more. For only €10, this tour also includes a savoury snack of matured pecorino cheese served with local crusty bread and drizzled with Montecarlo’s finest olive oil.
Afterwards, a visit to the grand fortress, Rocca del Cerruglio would certainly intrigue tourists. Once the site of many ferocious battles throughout the Middle Ages, it now leads a tranquil life overlooking the hills and valleys of Tuscany.
Standing on a steep ride separating the province of Lucca from the Valley of the Nievole, this beautifully restored castle is now privately owned but visitors can tour around it at weekends. It’s open from 4-7pm and admission is €5.
Afterwards, a visit to the grand fortress, Rocca del Cerruglio would certainly intrigue tourists. Once the site of many ferocious battles throughout the Middle Ages, it now leads a tranquil life overlooking the hills and valleys of Tuscany.
Standing on a steep ride separating the province of Lucca from the Valley of the Nievole, this beautifully restored castle is now privately owned but visitors can tour around it at weekends. It’s open from 4-7pm and admission is €5.
Perhaps an exquisite lunch in one of the town square’s restaurants of focaccia bread stuffed with olives and served with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella would refresh you for an afternoon of touring the churches of San Piero, San Anna and San Andrea. These churches house some spectacular religious art between them and are beautifully built using mostly medieval architecture.
If you’re lucky enough to be here during May or September, you can experience the delightful wine and food festivals the locals host in Montecarlo. ‘Viavinaria’ is a wine festival in May in which visitors would thoroughly enjoy the feasting, music, dancing and theatre performances that enhance the merry moods of the locals! ‘Montecarlo in Festa’ is held in September in honour of Madonna del Soccorso, that sees the streets filled with food, wine and craft stalls, music, street performances and the welcoming townspeople that will make tourists feel perfectly at home!
This quaint town would be a wonderful place to visit during your Tuscan holiday!
If you’re lucky enough to be here during May or September, you can experience the delightful wine and food festivals the locals host in Montecarlo. ‘Viavinaria’ is a wine festival in May in which visitors would thoroughly enjoy the feasting, music, dancing and theatre performances that enhance the merry moods of the locals! ‘Montecarlo in Festa’ is held in September in honour of Madonna del Soccorso, that sees the streets filled with food, wine and craft stalls, music, street performances and the welcoming townspeople that will make tourists feel perfectly at home!
This quaint town would be a wonderful place to visit during your Tuscan holiday!
Photo credits
pictures 1-3: Magnus Manske / CC BY-SA;
picture 2: Croosadabilia / CC BY-SA;
pictures 1-3: Magnus Manske / CC BY-SA;
picture 2: Croosadabilia / CC BY-SA;
