cak

I am extremely impressed! For years my step-son has been hounding me to make a turducken for Christmas dinner. Last year, he finally ordered one, taking the coward's way out! Although novel in concept, I was not all that taken with the actual outcome from a taste point of view. I wonder whether your home-made beast was better? Your pictures are great - but what did it taste like?

I'd highly recommend the Vecchia Oliviera in Montalcino for lodging. It was very pleasant, an old olive oil 'barn' and very friendly owners.

I highly recommend Montalcino as a great place to stay - extremely friendly town, not too large, good restaurants and many wine bars where you can taste local Brunello. We were there in August (TOO HOT!!) and stayed at a lovely place that is a converted olive factory - called Vecchia Oliviera, right as you enter the town. We enjoyed visiting Pienza, Montepulciano, which are only short drives from Montalcino. Also the Abbazia di San Antimo is nice to visit. If you enjoy walking, get the book "Walking and Eating in Tuscany" (Amazon carries it) - we did one of their walks and thoroughly enjoyed being in the countryside. (I disagree with the person who favored San Gimignano - it is thoroughly touristy, a Renaissance Disneyland. Montalcino is much more real)