Val D'Orcia

Val Dorcia

Then it is down to the Val d'Orcia Grande, an area of Tuscany know for unforgettable scenery. The valley has UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Podere Pietreta

Podere Pietreta

Podere Pietreta

In the Val d'Orcia we will be staying at the Podere Pietreta, a large old stone house that has been restored and is now a very pleasant villa. The villa is located on a h ill, near Radicofani, and from there the Val d'Orcia spreads out. There are views of the Monte Cetona, the cliffs of San Casciano and the fortress of Radicofani.

The villa, and its pool, sit in a park of over 100 olive trees, fruit trees, lavender boarders and flowers... should we say any more!

 

 

Val D'Orcia

Val d'Orcia

The Val d'Orcia, one of our photography locations for this trip. Also only 20 or so kilometers away from where we are staying, in Radicofani, are the scenic towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano. I am also looking forward to returning to the small medieval village of Monticchiello just to the south of Pienza.

 

This is an area of Tuscany with long rolling hills with a rich range of colours: gold tones where the fields are covered with grain, brilliant yellow and green where sunflowers make up the crops or lush greens. The area is protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The little town of Castiglion d'Orcia has a scenic fortress. At the furtherest southern most point there is the hilltop town of Radicofani with its imposing castle tower and the location of our villa. Then further west is the walled medieval city of Montalcino and the vineyards of Brunello. Time to return to the beautiful and suggestive Romanesque Abbey of Sant' Antimo, one of the best examples of medieval monastic architecture.