Driving Through Tuscany With Kids

There’s nothing like driving through the Tuscan countryside. You look out of the window and see the medieval villages on top of the rolling hills. On the other side, rows and rows of grape vines. We took a day trip from Rome by car to Montepulciano and Cortona in Tuscany. I picked the two cities, not for any particular reason, except I’ve watched movies of both of the locations. Montepulciano was featured In the Twilight New Moon movie. Cortona was the setting for the book and movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Families can enjoy both of the villages in one day trip. I’ll include some tips on where to park and what to do.

Tip #1- Drive to Tuscany if it is possible. Driving to Italy can seem daunting, but I’m so glad we rented a car. You’ll be enchanted by the scenery on the way through Tuscany.

Are you team Jacob or team Edward? After reading all of the twilight books, then watching the movies, I knew if I ever went to Italy I have to visit Volterra. After doing some research and talking to a friend that just went, surprise… they filmed the infamous Bella saves Edward scene in Montepulciano. We parked on the side of the road right next to the city walls. As we walked into the village, I closed my eyes and could smell the chef’s preparing lunch. There is nothing like the smell of fresh tomato sauce as you enter Montepulciano. This coupled with the smell of different wines from the region leave you wanting more.

Tip #2- When you smell something great, stop and eat. Dont wait, stop because later you wont find it. I recall my family and I smelling delicious pasta sauce the chef was preparing and saying “ we’ll come back.” Well, the reality is we never found that restaurant again, and couldn’t remember the location. As we searched we eventually ate at another place, left wondering what if. What if we had stopped and at least tasted something….anything. If you dont stop, then at least drop a pin so you can find your way back.

We made our way to the Terrezza Del Palazzo and Tower Hall. For only £5 you can climb to the top and take fabulous views of the countryside. I wouldn’t suggest the bell tower climb for parents with toddlers. The stairs are steep and narrow. For only £2, you can take an elevator to the terrace, no stairs to climb. My husband bought the kids a treat and they found a shaded area in the piazza while my mother and I climb up the tower. The views will make you fall in love with Tuscany and you will want to visit again and again.

The second stop of our Tuscan day trip from Rome is twenty minutes from Montepulciano. Cortona is another hilltop medieval town. We parked right next to the visitor center. There was plenty of parking when we arrived, around noon. I put some coins in a meter and put the ticket on my dashboard. Right next to the visitors center there is a great spot to take pictures. We all did a mini photo shoot with that gorgeous back drop of Val di Chiana Valley.

If you’re not familiar with the book or the movie Under the Tuscan Sun,walk around and enjoy the beautiful views, shops, and restaurants. Walking around the Piazza della Republblica, you will see souvenirs, but the real secret is the homemade pasta and spices. Dont be fooled by the trinkets on the outside, but go inside. Explore and take your time.

Tip #3- Keep an eye out for special items that you can’t buy back home. Yes, everyone probably needs that magnet or keychain, but stock up on unusual spices, or fabrics, leather goods, or pastas. I packed 5 sealed packets of different varieties of pasta spices. I also packed 5 bags of a variety of pastas. I did not have any problems going through customs at the airport.

If you’re with your kids, Piazza Garibaldi is a beautiful place to let them walk freely. Very few cars moving about make this a family friendly area. While the kids walked around with my husband, I snuck into a shop and bought spices for pasta sauces and bruschetta. I also picked up 5 bags of homemade pasta. Let me tell you something, I will never go back to store bought sauce again! Every time we have pasta night at home, it takes us back to the hilltop town of Cortona. After shopping, we picked up the car and did a quick drive to Bramasole Villa. You will also recognize from the movie, the nook where the old man left the flowers every day.

Whether your a fan of books or movies that take place in Tuscany or not, please add one or both of the cities to your itinerary. Like I said earlier, you will fall in love and will want to return again and again.