Surroundings Val d’Orcia
The Val d’Orcia, in the southern part of Tuscany, is perhaps the most breathtaking part of the province. It was not without reason that it was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2004.
The rolling countryside offers so many beautiful views that you have to stop again and again during a car journey to enjoy and capture them. The colours that the landscape takes on during the seasons are constantly different, but equally beautiful. Green in spring, yellow of wheat in summer, all shades of brown in autumn when the soil is ploughed and many more than 50 shades of grey in winter. It still captivates us every time and it is also our favourite area to show people the beauty of Tuscany.
And we are not the only ones who are so enthusiastic, because for centuries painters have tried to capture this landscape in a painting. And filmmakers use the landscape regularly too, as seen in The English Patient, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, La Vita e Bella and Gladiator, among others.
The main towns here are:
- Montalcino, especially known of course for the delicious, but pricey Brunello wine;
- Radicofani, with an imposing castle that you can see on the rocks from 50 km away;
- Castiglione d’Orcia, near the thermal baths of Bagni Vignoni;
- San Quirico D’Orcia, as a nice starting point for your visit to this area;
- Pienza, a beautiful old town, commissioned by Pope Pius II as an example of ideal urban design, in the 15th century. Famous also for the Pecorino
- On the western side of the Val d’Orcia, you will find the Monte Amiata, with 1732 metres the highest mountain in Tuscany, where you can even ski in winter!
A holiday in this area is really recommended for those who can enjoy nature, colour and views. Peace and quiet are key words here, but with the above mentioned places and Montepulciano and Siena in the neighbourhood, there is certainly enough to see and do.