Cortona or Montepulciano, which do You Prefer?

[Lisa in Ottawa]

We stayed near Montepulciano and ended up loving the town. Fantastic views, great restaurants, wonderful nooks and crannies. We went into Cortona and it left us cold. We thought the views didn't compare. The main plaza wasn't nearly as attractive and there just didn't seem to be that much of interest.
What if anything did we miss?
Is it still all about Frances Mayes?

 

[Chris]

I completely agree, Lisa! I enjoyed Montepulciano more with each visit, but I don't think I'd ever bother to return to Cortona again.

Did you love Sant'Antonio as much as I did?

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Chris,
Look below at Trip Reports. I posted a thread on Sant'Antonio. I'm beginning to think no one scrolls down that far. I LOVED it. What a divine place. Glad to hear you share my views on Cortona. The more I visited Montepulciano, the more I appreciated it.

 

[Pauline]

Chris,
Look below at Trip Reports. I posted a thread on Sant'Antonio. I'm beginning to think no one scrolls down that far.

> Maybe I need to revisit my idea of grouping forums by country (like I did on ST), so we have Italy, Italy Trip Reports, Italy Vacation Rentals.

 

[Pauline]

We spent two weeks in a farmhouse outside of Cortona in 1997, the year Francis Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun came out. I bet we were among the first people to search out her house! It took us about three tries to find, using the book and an article she has written. We liked Cortona because it was a good town and not as touristy as some. I imagine that has changed because of her book.

For location, I think Montepulciano is better. You can get to all those lovely Val d'Orcia towns easily. We spent a few weeks outside of Pienza, which is in the same area, and loved the location.

As far as the town goes, Montepulciano felt a bit overrun with tourists last June. But once you get a bit higher in town, away from those first few blocks of shops that start at the town gate, it is not so touristy. I like the main piazza, high up in the town. I like the views. And the location is perfect for exploring my favorite part of Tuscany.

Francis Mayes' house Bramasole in 1997.

Cortona in 1997.