The Val d’Orcia valley is the Tuscany of everyone’s dreams, with medieval castles, rolling landscapes, ancient hill towns and vineyards.
Less than two hours from Florence
Crossed by the river Orcia, from which the valley takes its name, this beautiful region in the south of Tuscany runs through the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, and is less than two hours by car from Florence. The entire area is now protected, having been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. What makes the Val d'Orcia so special is its uncontaminated and beautiful nature, but this is also the land that produces some of Italy’s most famous and excellent wines, like Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso Orcia among other DOCG denominations.
Pienza is the ideal Renaisance city
The beautiful Val d'Orcia is dotted with small hill towns, castles, abbeys, and hamlets, each with its own incredible history. Towns like Pienza, a real gem and known as the Ideal City, it is a Renaissance monument designed by Pius II, the great humanist pope. Then there are Castiglion d'Orcia with its fortress, Abbadia San Salvatore and its ancient Benedictine abbey, hilltop Radicofani which has an imposing watchtower, and Montalcino which is dominated by its 14th-century fortress, After a day visiting museums, ancient castles and abbeys, visitor will want to take time to relax in one of the many thermal towns like Bagno Vignoni or Bagni di San Filippo which are the Val d’Orcia’s natural spas.
Tuscan truffles
A destination for gourmets
The Val d’Orcia produces some of Italy’s best-loved products such as the fabulous pecorino cheese of Pienza, flavoursome olive oil and excellent wines. But the ancient traditions do not end here, because gourmets can delight in specialties like saffron, mushrooms, truffles, wild game and more, also to be enjoyed by taking the Strada del Vino e Sapori wine and food trail. 
