Veronica & Mark
Veronica & Mark
Things to Do
Welcome to Val d'Orcia!
Welcome to Val d'Orcia; one of Tuscany's six World Heritage sites, recognised for the picturesque landscape of rolling hills and lines of cypress trees. This region is a beautiful valley in the heart of Tuscany, where you can experience rural Tuscany at its best.
Our venue is surrounded by the small towns of Montepulciano, Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni and the 'ideal town' of Pienza, all of which are rich in culture and history, so definitely worth visiting should you find the time.
Here is a list of recommendations to make the most of your experience whilst here.
Visit the ideal town of Pienza
Pienza is a quaint hilltop town, famous for being a UNESCO world heritage site and the producer of Pecorino cheese.
The renaissance town has a beautiful and historical square that features sites such as the stunning Cathedral and Palazzo Piccolomin.
The walk through the town's bastions offer incredible countryside views as well as authentic spots to stop for an aperitivo and a taste of the famous cheese.
Visit the wine town of Montalcino
Montalcino is another hilltop village overlooking Val d'Orcia, surrounded by vineyards that have produced some of the most renowned and delicious wines in Italy such as Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino.
The town is filled with small wine shops and bars which sell products from the local wineries which makes it a perfect tasting spot for wine lovers. Local shops will even provide tastings without bookings in advance, so it is a really convenient way of exploring the different wines without travelling to a vineyard. However if you are looking to organise a private tour or tasting at a vineyard there are places where this can be arranged too.
Some great wine tasting spots include:
Padeletti Winery
Inside the fortress of Enoteca La Fortezza
Grotta del Brunello - the oldest wine bar in Montalcino
Poggio Antico (outside of the centre)
Please note that although Montalcino is best discovered by foot, it is one of the steeper towns in the region and so a good pair of walking shoes would come in handy!
Guided tours and tastings
Experience firsthand the many tours and activities the region has to offer, from wine tasting to truffle hunting, there is something for everyone, particularly in the towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano.
Here are some of our favourite spots:
Castello Banfi - A very impressive winery and estate that offers both wine tasting and vineyard tours. (Montalcino)
La Ciarliana - A family run company, perfectly suitable for little ones too! (Montepulciano)
Capanna Farm - Amazing cellar tours followed by tastings of wines, grappa and olive oil. (Montalcino)
Icario - A modern estate offering wine tastings as affordable as €20pp to fine dining experiences. (Montepulciano)
Col d'Orcia - An organic farm with biodynamic practices that you can explore firsthand. Different package options available. (Montalcino)
Argiano Cantina - A stunning 14th century villa with an amazing spiral staircase to die for (Montalcino)
Hire a vintage car and take a drive!
As previously mentioned we do very much recommend renting a car to give you flexibility to explore the nearby areas more easily, and to enjoy the incredible landscape Val d'Orcia has to offer.
If you are looking for a more unique and exciting way to enjoy driving through the countryside, perhaps you can consider renting a vintage vehicle to truly live out the La Dolce Vita lifestyle.
Our top recommendations for this would be:
Vintage Tours (Pienza)
Tuscany By Car (Florence based but able deliver/pick up)
Rent an e-bike
There is so much to see and touring everything can be almost impossible by foot (especially in the hilly areas), so whilst in Montepulciano, we recommend taking a visit to Urban Bikery to rent an electronic bike for a different way to explore Montepulciano and the surrounding areas.
Take a local cooking class
An absolute must do whilst you're in Italy! Some recommendations include:
Podere il Casale (Pienza)
Locanda Demetra (Montalcino)
Agriturismo La Bruciata (Montepulciano)
Ristorante Daria (Monticchiello di Pienza)
Relaxation
Val d’Orcia is a calm and tranquil region, so the perfect spot for a staycation if you are looking to escape the crowded and lively nearby cities. We recommend making the most of your stay by booking accommodation with a pool and restaurant on site so that you can take time out from the August heat to simply relax.
Where to eat?
There are so many amazing restaurants and bars where you can meet with friends to enjoy the traditional tuscan foods together, so much so that the list is hard to narrow down, but here are a few of our favourite spots:
La Terrazza del Chiostro (Pienza)
Idyllium (Pienza)
La Grotta (Montepulciano)
La Vineria di Montepulciano (Montepulciano)
Locanda In Tuscany (Castiglione d'Orcia)
Boccon di Vino (Montalcino)
Ristorante Daria (Monticchiello di Pienza)
Osteria La Porta (Monticchiello di Pienza)