Tuscany
September 2021
Tuscany is an Italian region located in the center-west of the country. Very rich in cultivable land, it is known for its wine and its cuisine, its fields of sunflowers or lavender as far as the eye can see as well as its many picturesque villages. Stretching from the sea to the hills, it offers an impressive variety of landscapes.
This blog will take you on a roadtrip crisscrossing the many historical Tuscan localities and will allow you to discover this little corner of paradise!
Basilica of San Domenico (Siena)
My roadtrip in Tuscany started in the Val D'Orcia region, known for its many hills and cypresses as far as the eye can see. Its gastronomy and its wine have also made the reputation of Tuscany for many years and the region has even been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. The first locality visited in this region was Pienza, a town located at the top of a hill, offering a magnificent view of the Val d'Orcia. I visited it at the end of the day and was thus able to take advantage of the golden hour which coated its buildings with beautiful orange colors.
Pienza
This small town is sublime and the typical style of its stone constructions gave me the impression of walking inside a postcard. Access by road is easy and I advise you to leave your car in the car parks located at the entrance to the city because at the end of the day, many people come to visit the city and eat there, thus greatly reducing the number parking spaces available. Once this first step has been completed, stroll through the narrow streets of the town and let the smells of regional cheeses and cured meat, which escape from the small shops, whet your appetite. The restaurants are quite numerous, leaving you the choice in your meal. In particular, I had the opportunity to discover the “pici al ragù”, a traditional dish from the region, in a charming little restaurant. If I had to sum up the city in one word, it would surely be “charming”.
Bagno Vignoni
Another stage of this roadtrip in Tuscan lands was Bagno Vignoni, still located in the Val d'Orcia. This village is known for its ancient thermal baths. While an establishment allows anyone to relax in “modern” baths, the center of the village was built around a large pool, formerly used for baths. An artist is currently exhibiting in the old basin one of his aluminum works, which I have also found in other places in the region. Only a few kilometers away, we find a chapel that you have probably all seen in photos: the chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta. This name may mean nothing to you, but here is a photo:
Madonna di Vitaleta
To reach it, you have to take a dirt road a few meters from the main road from San Quirico d'Orcia to Montepulciano. After parking the car, just walk about ten minutes and you will be there. Having been there in autumn, the landscape was very different from the images of the chapel in the green fields, in spring, but the colors were no less attractive. Continuing now our route, we arrive at Montepulciano. This town is located, like Pienza, on the top of a hill and enjoys a 360° view of the surrounding plains and vineyards. The Montepulciano region is also considered one of the best for the production of high quality wine. The cathedral or the Piazza Grande are two must-sees in the city. Also take advantage of observing the valleys surrounding the city.
Alley of Montepulciano
We will now leave Val D'Orcia and its hilly and rather dry landscapes in September to go up into Tuscany towards Siena. This city has a great history which is clearly visible in the architecture of the buildings that make it up. She is also often nicknamed "Florence's little sister". A first unmissable place to visit is the “Piazza del Campo”, a sloping square in front of which stands the Torre del Mangia. Many restaurants are located around the square and its vast space is a place of strong passage to the different places of the city.
Piazza del Campo and Torre del Mangia
Due to its popularity, I recommend going to Siena in the morning so that you can enjoy the city before the arrival of the many tourists who then rush through its streets. The second must-see place in the city, the “Duomo di Siena” is an imposing Gothic cathedral in white marble decorated with green and black bands. The tower of this cathedral is strongly reminiscent of the cathedral of Florence.
After strolling through the many alleys that make up the city, I suggest you head to the Basilica of San Domenico. Located on a hill in the city, it offers a breathtaking view of the Duomo and Siena. I also advise you to stop on the way to the basilica to taste a delicious fiorentina steak at “Osteria Enoteca Sotto le Fonti”, a small restaurant with friendly owners who are attentive to customers.
View from the Basilica of San Domenico
It is in this magnificent city of Siena that my trip to Tuscany ends. The typical orange colors of the region's buildings and the hilly landscapes that surround them add to its charm and the flavors of the delicious dishes prepared there add to this already unforgettable memory. I would say that visiting Tuscany was for me the opportunity to live like in a postcard the time of this roadtrip.
Ciao and to our next trip!