Montelopio

Montelopio is a wisp of a hamlet set in the hills near Pisa. It is a tiny town but there are country-style restaurants and stores in neighboring villages. The landscape features postcard images of Tuscany - undulating fields of billowing grain interrupted by olive groves and criss-crossed with vineyards. Stand of cypress trees point toward the sky. Ancient castles and antique farmhouses are scattered everywhere.

The Maremma and Etruscan zones are nearby. In fact, the location is great for touring around; within an hour are the noteworthy towns and sights of Pisa, Lucca, Volterra, Livorno, San Gimignano, as well as the region's famous art cities of Florence and Siena.

Montelopio is officially part of Peccioli, which encompasses other little hill villages like Fabbrica di Peccioli. In Montelupio itself is the stately Romanesque parish church of San Verano. Nearby villages have coffee bars, grocery stores, and restaurants.