Medieval castles, rolling hills, medieval villages, cypresses, vineyards, olive groves and wheat fields: these are the characteristics that make the Val d ‘Orcia so unique.
It takes its name from the Orcia river that runs through this beautiful region in the south of Tuscany, now a protected park, and has been recognized as World Heritage by ‘UNESCO since 2004. The protagonist of the Val d’Orcia is a pure nature and beautiful with colors that change completely depending on the seasons. And ‘an atmosphere suspended, that originates from some of the most famous wines in the world including wine Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano, the Red Orcia, and other fabulous wines with DOCG denomination. Just 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from Monti 1824 (75 km).
A unique and indisputable feature of the territories of the Val d’Orcia is undoubtedly the beauty of its gentle hills and a dream-countryside where man and nature interacted perfectly, creating a magical place. The fruit resulting from the union of these two forces is a lovely landscape where meadows and vineyards intersect the beautiful stone houses and white country roads. Crossed by the river Orcia, from which the valley takes its name, this territory develops on the south territory of Tuscany. All this area is a protected and recognized UNESCO Heritage Park since 2004. This recognition is undoubtedly due to the uncontaminability of nature, with beautiful colors which change with the changing of the seasons.
This region is also famous for the production of high quality wines known throughout the world, such as Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso d’ Orcia, the Nobile of Montepulciano ,all with the DOCG recongnization . La Val d’Orcia , in the old past and still now, is source of inspiration for numerous artists and painters which found so incledible this landscape with its small towns, abbeys and castles. We recommend visiting the Fortress of Castiglion d’Orcia, the Benedictine abbey of Abbadia San Salvatore and the imposing tower of Radicofani…and don’t forget Montalcino . The valley is also known for its excellent spa facilities. Bagno Vignoni and the Bagni of San Filippo are an example. Finally, we suggest visiting the beautiful abbey of Sant ‘Antimo, an imposing medieval building where Gregorian chants are still in use during the rites.
In addition to the nature and its villages, Val d’Orcia is home to a great culinary tradition. With its wines, this region is particularly known for its extra virgin olive oil production, saffron, salami and the special local swine variety known as “Cinta senese”, chianina beef and sheep variety, which gives origin to a production of excellent quality sheep’s cheese.