You may know Tuscany as the central Italian destination where Rick Steves ate the best meal of his life. You probably also keep the region in mind for sumptuous hotels and spas like the Monteverdi Tuscany. But in the Tuscan province of Siena — located less than two hours from Florence and one hour southeast of the city of Siena — you’ll also find the Val d’Orcia. A hilly medieval UNESCO site that’s equally esteemed for its food and wine cultures as it is for its views that all but assure excellent photos.
Although you might not know it, you’ve almost certainly seen photos of it before. Simply imagine a winding road bordered by pointy cypress trees — one of Tuscany’s most iconic sights — and you’re probably picturing the groves in the tiny town of San Quirico d’Orcia.
However, the memorable arbors aren’t all that have made the Val d’Orcia a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. First, there’s its history, which stretches back to even before the Etruscan period. Per UNESCO, its inimitable landscape of farmland was in evidence by the 13th or 14th century, when it was first captured by the artists of the Sienese school. As such, a trip to the Val d’Orcia is a step back into Italy’s history — with views that remain practically unchanged.
Relax into a farmstay in the Val d’Orcia
Staying in an agriturismo, or a lodging that’s also a working farm, isn’t just the best way to soak in a slower lifestyle in the Val d’Orcia — it’s also among the cheapest types of lodgings you’ll find in the area. The town of Pienza, for example, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, is a living, breathing Renaissance site centered around a cute piazza. But just outside its limits, there’s an impressive collection of farmstays for around $100 a night.
Though more expensive than the lodgings listed on dedicated farmstay websites like Agroturismo, it’s also worth checking in at one of the apartments at La Fonte. There, a farm-fresh breakfast buffet is included daily, and the restaurant also features game such as rabbit and boar alongside pasta in cream sauce prepared with local truffles.
If you’re hoping for a night away from your agriturismo, but with the same ethics, it’s likely that your hosts will point you in the direction of Podere Il Casale. Located on an organic farm, you’ll find fresh homemade pasta, as well as meats and cheeses from animals raised on-site. And, for around $70, the four-course menu can include dishes like roasted goat with sour butter cabbage, followed by sheep’s milk pudding with salted caramel.
Sip a vino with a view
