Val d'Orcia
Val d'Orcia
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- Diane NCumming, Georgia10 contributionsAmazing day in Tuscany!Highly recommend! Truly an amazing day visiting Tuscany’s most charming medieval towns Montepulciano & Pienza. It is a gorgeous area with the most picturesque views. From there we had wine tasting during a delicious Italian lunch at a small family winery, with the beautiful Tuscan landscape as our backdrop. They also gave a tour and explained their process, which was fun! Booked our tour with Marco of Tuscany Top Drivers, located in Florence. He is knowledgeable regarding the areas and goes above & beyond to ensure his clients have an outstanding day. Once again, highly recommended Marco & this tour, we will definitely use him again when we return to Florence.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 September 2023
- alioopOviedo_Fl_Winter Springs, Florida108 contributionsA must do when in TuscanyThis can be summerized in two words: stunning drive. We loved the drive and stopping at each little town. We did wine tasting, cheese tasing, exploring the towns and enjoying the views. I would recommend a trip through here and spending a couple of days enjoying all that this area has to offer!Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 10 February 2024
- j1000000Glastonbury, Connecticut666 contributionsWhat could be better?It's Tuscany at its best....what could be better than green rolling hills, sunsets, and vineyards? You can stay in one of several small towns, with numerous small hotels and B&Bs of all types and prices. In addition to the history and preserved towns, the food and wine couldn't be better!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 May 2024
- db7477Carlsbad, California3,458 contributionsBreathtaking driveIf Heaven isn’t on a beach it’s the Vale d’Orcia. Every view along the roads is postcard worthy… rolling manicured hills, vineyards, Cyprus trees and wheat fields. We stayed in Montalcino and traveled to Siena and Montelpulciano. Breathtaking!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Adam and Becki
Lynnwood, WA237 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This was a pretty disappointing stop on our tour of Tuscany. Really, where you park to go walk to the viewpoint is prettier than the actual viewpoint. We rented a car and drove around Tuscany and there were so many better spots. I’d say stopping here isn’t worth the time.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alioopOviedo_Fl_
Winter Springs, FL108 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This can be summerized in two words: stunning drive. We loved the drive and stopping at each little town. We did wine tasting, cheese tasing, exploring the towns and enjoying the views. I would recommend a trip through here and spending a couple of days enjoying all that this area has to offer!
Written 10 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain22,068 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Val d'Orcia (Orcia Valley) is located in the center of Tuscany Region, in Italy. Really here you can see the typical wonderful landscapes in Tuscany with cypress, big plains, vineyards. Incredible! We arrived in sunset and it was really fantastic! one of the best views in Tuscany. We came here. in summer 2019 with my 3 years old daughter and she enjoyed a lot seeing the views, playing and running on the land and we enjoyed a lot with the these great landscapes. Top in Tuscany!
Written 20 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobConklin
Portland, OR143 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
I've been to nearly every part of Italy (except Sardinia), and the Val d'Orcia stands out among them as uniquely lovely. It is less developed and less touristy than other major Italian destinations. Partly this is due to its having perhaps the most stringent land use regulations in the world -- and more recently to its having been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- so that there is virtually no modern development and the whole area comes across as being completely unspoiled. It is largely agricultural countryside, with fields of wheat, sunflowers, livestock, and vineyards spread over gently rolling hills with intermittent patches of untouched native forest. The landscape is dotted with quaint, charming medieval villages, some all but unknown, such as Bagno Vignoni, San Casciano dei Bagni, and Monticchiello, a tiny gem of a village, plus some better known towns such as Pienza (famous for its pecorino cheese), Montepulciano and Montalcino (famous for their local wines). The entire valley is dominated by Monte Amiata, the highest mountain in Tuscany, covered with fantastic beech forests, hiking trails, and a wildlife preserve -- a great place to escape from the summer heat on the valley floor. The entire valley is a treasure. If I were going to live in Italy (which is very tempting), it would be here. My favorite place to stay in the Val d'Orcia, incidentally, is La Foce, for which you can see my separate review under that name.
Written 13 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heli K
Lappeenranta, Finland1,686 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
I visited Tuscany in the beginning of May and as a part of our trip we drove from Siena to Val d'Orcia area ( road Via Cassia (SR2)). We used Discover Tuscany web site's tips for those who only have 24 hours when we planned the trip and our route.
Our first pit stop was a small medieval village Buenconvento where we had just ice creams. If you have just one day - do not stop - drive directly to Val d'Orcia area. From this tiny village we continued to Pienza, also UNESCO World Heritage site, and then to Montepulciano where we also stayed the night.
This was my first time in Val d'Orcia and I just loved it. And one day was absolutely too little. I will definitely go back and I am also curious to see this area in summer time as well as harvest time when everything is golden yellow. In May everything was amazingly green - so green that it is hard to imagine - so differently green than e.g. in Finland where we also have lots of forest. Val d'Orsia was rolling green hills, cypresses as in post cards, hilltop towns, castles, breathtaking sceneries, small country roads....
So when driving there make sure that you are not in a hurry because after every curve you - at least I did - want to stop and take pictures. The beauty of Val d'Orcia just makes you speechless or saying wow and wow and wow after wow. In the beginning of May there were also quite little other tourists which I found great. Sometimes we had these amazingly beautiful roads just to ourselves.
By the way just before San Quirico there is a perfect place to stop and take iconic Tuscan photos as the web site suggested (green hills and cypress trees - amazing scenery). And before Pienza you'll find the Cappella Vitaleta - tiny chapel - worth to stop and take photos or even drive to it.
Pienza itself was beautiful and unique Renaissance city - we had there also a lunch and we visited Palazzo Piccolomini. From Palazzos terrace you'll have amazing view to Val d'Orcia country side - and this Palazzo is also a set for the Romeo and Juliette movie. From Pienza we took a side detour to Montichiello because we wanted to spend more time in country side and on cypress lined roads. And from there we drove to Montepulciano and stayed the night.
Our first pit stop was a small medieval village Buenconvento where we had just ice creams. If you have just one day - do not stop - drive directly to Val d'Orcia area. From this tiny village we continued to Pienza, also UNESCO World Heritage site, and then to Montepulciano where we also stayed the night.
This was my first time in Val d'Orcia and I just loved it. And one day was absolutely too little. I will definitely go back and I am also curious to see this area in summer time as well as harvest time when everything is golden yellow. In May everything was amazingly green - so green that it is hard to imagine - so differently green than e.g. in Finland where we also have lots of forest. Val d'Orsia was rolling green hills, cypresses as in post cards, hilltop towns, castles, breathtaking sceneries, small country roads....
So when driving there make sure that you are not in a hurry because after every curve you - at least I did - want to stop and take pictures. The beauty of Val d'Orcia just makes you speechless or saying wow and wow and wow after wow. In the beginning of May there were also quite little other tourists which I found great. Sometimes we had these amazingly beautiful roads just to ourselves.
By the way just before San Quirico there is a perfect place to stop and take iconic Tuscan photos as the web site suggested (green hills and cypress trees - amazing scenery). And before Pienza you'll find the Cappella Vitaleta - tiny chapel - worth to stop and take photos or even drive to it.
Pienza itself was beautiful and unique Renaissance city - we had there also a lunch and we visited Palazzo Piccolomini. From Palazzos terrace you'll have amazing view to Val d'Orcia country side - and this Palazzo is also a set for the Romeo and Juliette movie. From Pienza we took a side detour to Montichiello because we wanted to spend more time in country side and on cypress lined roads. And from there we drove to Montepulciano and stayed the night.
Written 31 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evgenyr1981
Israel684 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
Before I start, please, do not associate Val d'Orcia and the whole Tuscany with Podere Belvedere pictures. This is wrong, the valley is incredible stunning and that famous villa doesn't do justice, it is below mediocre, there are million spots and opportunities with much better view, stop hunting that "{Belvedere early morning fog" sickness and be original. There is much more than trivial sp146 if you know what I mean.
Go forth and explore while driving, but get a SUV, the local roads a below terrible.
Every single town has its own atmosphere. Best time to take photos after 6-7 pm, it gets dark pretty late, around 9 pm in summer, so you have plenty of time.
The valley deserves at least a week of stay and the best bet will be some agroturismo, as these are located outside of towns and allow you to actually "breath" the sunset/sunrise views from terrace while enjoying complete silence with some local made wine and cheese.
Go forth and explore while driving, but get a SUV, the local roads a below terrible.
Every single town has its own atmosphere. Best time to take photos after 6-7 pm, it gets dark pretty late, around 9 pm in summer, so you have plenty of time.
The valley deserves at least a week of stay and the best bet will be some agroturismo, as these are located outside of towns and allow you to actually "breath" the sunset/sunrise views from terrace while enjoying complete silence with some local made wine and cheese.
Written 28 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KLE2013
Centreville, VA3,503 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Our family spent a glorious week at the agritourismo resort, Il Poggio, in S. Casciano dei Bagni and with the flexibility that a rental car provided, we were able to explore the marvelous countryside of the Val d'Orcia. Undulating hills with Renaissance towns mounted on rocky heights, panoramic vistas punctuated with idyllic farmhouses, sinuous country roads lined by towering Italian cypress-everyday was a new discovery. The road from Montepulciano to Pienza and from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia along SS146 is particularly noteworthy. Make sure to Explore and enjoy the towns and countryside in this very special area!
Written 26 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loreen K
Prague, Czech Republic230 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Some might mention to avoid Belvedere, Vitaletta, sp146. This is a mistake, its ridiculous I think to avoid sights just because they are popular and or famous. Tbere is a reason an attraction is so popular, because its worth seeing. So I do believe in seeing what some may call cliches or over rated because they are so widely photographed, just try to find different times to enjoy them without the crowds. This area cannot be seen in a day or just hours but if time is really limited then choose a couple of destinations rather then trying to see everything, but take time to really enjoy. Far better to see less but make great memories of what you do visit, if time permits, enjoy the drives and stop to see the beautiful hilltop villages along the routes. Montepulciano, Pienza, San Quirico, drive the sp146 for its fantastic beauty, then head off to the smaller roads, do a loop back to Montepulciano from Pienza via sp18 and sp88, enjoy the zig zag road of cipressi, stop in at Montichiello. Swing over to Montefollonico via sp15, then sp renielli to either sp71 or sp14 to Montisi, follow sp14 to San Giovanni d'asso to Torrenieri, then a totally quiet, perfect for cycling or running twisting turning road sp137 to San Quirico. You could in drive this in a loop but is really worthwhile to stop in these villages along the routes so try break these into a number of drives over a period of days. The Val d'Orcia borders the Crete Senesi, the scenery in a space of few kilometers changes from lush wooded hills to almost moonscape. The light is so intense mid day, its hard to capture the beauty, but not everything can be seen in the soft early morning light or at dramatic sunsets, so do not fret about it, just enjoy it.
Written 26 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcella202014
New York City, NY50 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
If you want to see the real Tuscany, take a drive along SP146 to Pienza. The gentle rolling hills in the countryside are one of the most picturesque landscapes. If you have ever dreamed of seeing this part of Italy, driving along this route is the way to go. Visit Pienza because from this town, there are breathtaking views of the Tuscan landscape below. You won't regret this drive. I loved it.
Written 11 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nazir
Montefollonico, Italy192 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
Remember you are in UN World Heritage Sites Zone of which beautiful Pienza is the principle Town, constructed by Pope Piccolomino who began urbanization. Films like the English Patient were shot here. The area is also famous for its Pecorino Cheese, Olive Oil, Wine, Terracotta, Pottery and many more items. Bagno Vignoni the roman spa definitely deserves a visit as much as Montalcino where the World Famoos Brunello comes from. Montepulciano produces the Vino Nobile. Montefollonico a village situate on a ridge where both Val d'Orca and Val di Chiana can be viewed. The best time to visit is in th Autumn when the harvest of Olives and Grapes etc takes place. How long will the elderly italian generation continue this tedious work by hand. Go see!
Written 5 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thinking of going to Tuscany in early September. We don't want to drive but want to visit San Gimiano, Sienna, Lucca and stay in a romantic hotel that would enable us to visit these places. Also definitely want a wine tour. Any recommendations of how to do this much appreciated.
Written 10 February 2020
I highly recommend a tour guide named Costanza. I think we found her on trip advisor. She gives wonderful tours of Sienna - extremely knowledgeable ! And we also did a wine tour with her where she drove our rental through Montepulciano, Montecino and a third wine town. She could suggest places to stay in Sienna. We really enjoyed a small wonderful hotel Hotel Santa Catarina. Beautiful garden area with a great view.
Written 1 June 2020
Prosím doporučte mi místa pro fotografování krajiny, mapu míst odkud a kdy pořídit ty nejlepší záběry v polovine října Děkuji
Written 30 September 2019
What is the best drive in Tuscany to photograph cypress tree lined roads and country side, please and thank you?!
Written 15 May 2019
Yakın Djan
Izmir Province, Türkiye
Hello I would like to comprehend your life style and what you do as citizens in your daily lives. I am researching Chianti as my subject as now. So I would like to be answered in a few days time. And if you knew about Chianti beforehand you can help me about a better introducement of it. Merci. Et bon journée.
Written 12 April 2019
Salve!
Mi consigliate dove alloggiare per un weekend lungo in Val d Orcia? Conviene una sistemazione in mezza pensione? Grazie!
Written 10 October 2018
Ciao, ti consiglio di alloggiare a Pienza (un borgo molto caratteristico a pochi km da molti luoghi di interesse: terme, Siena, Montalcino, Montepulciano ecc). Potresti valutare una camera con annessa zona cucina (ti consiglio il bed and breakfast: Camere il Giglio di Pienza, la signora Roberta avrà sicuramente una stanza con zona cucina che fa per te ed è sito proprio in centro storico... ) Spero di esserti stata utile, se hai dubbi chiedi pure.
Written 11 October 2018
1. May I ask you which city/airport did you fly into from US?
2. Where did you rent a car, I mean which city/town in Val d"Orcia? Or in bigger cities/airport you flew into?
Thanks
Tito from Atlanta
Written 27 September 2018
Hello Tito,
To answer you questions:
1. I flew into Florence, as this was my first destination. I spent a couple of days in Florence and then rented the car there. 2. I rented the car at a Hertz location in Florence South, but if you are not staying in Florence you can also rent it at the airport (though my understanding is that there is a surcharge for cars that are rented at an airport location). To be honest, I do not know if you can rent a car in one of the cities in Val d'Orcia but I believe you can check online either on Hertz website or Europcar.
Written 6 October 2018
Hi, I have been to Pienza, Montepulciano, Montefioralle, Siena. What other villages should I visit next trip? It will be June and would like to go off the beaten path to avoid crowds, towns with a few restaurants, shopping and gorgeous churches. Thanks.
Written 13 August 2018
Hola, junto a mi familia ,vamos a disfrutar de la región de la Toscana, tenemos poco tiempo porque seguimos ruta hacia Roma, por eso quiero perderme con el coche por ese valle evocador ....nos alojamos en S Gimigianno, pero haremos ruta por los pueblecitos, Siena por supuesto ,pero queria saber que pueblos merecen ver porque me encantaría recorrerlos todos, pero en solo dos días... no sé, lo que me daría tiempo.
Written 29 June 2018
Bagno Vinoni : römische Therme mit neuem SPA-Hotel und toller Landschaft herum
Written 14 January 2019
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