Sometimes when you venture out on a journey, you're not quite sure why you're doing it. Such was our daytrip to Montepulciano, about a 45-minute drive from Cortona where we were staying.

Montepulciano, in my mind, was never anything special. What did it have that Cortona didn't? More churches, narrow roads and city walls. Not only that, but we were making the drive in the pouring rain.

{photo href=’http://www.flickr.com/photos/chancesend/353431847/’ src=’http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/353431847_8d99bac0b0_m.jpg’ width=’240′ title=’A charming road along the outskirts of Montepulciano’ caption=’A charming road along the outskirts of Montepulciano’ float=’left’}Though it was pouring, when we found a spot to park, we still ventured into the city. I had a recommendation from a guide book that suggested a small osteria for lunch. The only problem was that the landmarks the ma