The other side of Val d’Orcia

Meet your driver at your hotel lobby and departure to the Orcia Valley, the area south of the province of Siena that is protected as UNESCO World Heritage. What you will experience today is an authentic journey to discover the hidden gems of Tuscany. Forget crowds and long lines at the tourist attractions and dive into the real Tuscan atmosphere. Just once you will get through Siena, you will be astonished by a unique “lunar” landscape made of soft grey colored hills: the Crete Senesi. This clay soil is dotted with many little boroughs, like Buonconvento. Take your time to discover this charming village surrounded by walls and its amazing corners. Although today it is a very quiet village, the town has been disputed for its commercial importance since 1371, when the walls building started. It is for this reason that the “happy place” (translation of “Buonconvento”) has also been a “must” stop on the Via Francigena. Your day trip will continue to another stop on the Via Francigena in the very heart of Val d’Orcia, San Quirico. This little hilltop town offers breathtaking views of the countryside and a wide variety of architectural styles that can been seen on many buildings. After the visit, an enchanting driver along curvy country roads and undulating hills will lead you to the next destination. The rolling hills of Val d’Orcia will get flattened once you will cross the Valdichiana area, another renowned zone of southern Tuscany. Since the Etruscan times, this area has been considered fundamental for its soil fertility and agriculture. It is during this activity -even in Roman times- that we find the first references of the Chianina breeding, one of the most ancient and famous cattle breeds of Italy. You will visit a typical farm guided by an expert. You get introduced into the history of the farm and all the farming methods of the cattle and pig Chianina’s breed. You will then visit the laboratories and learn the meat processing. At the end of the tour you will enjoy a super tasting lunch of the local farm. After lunch, your personal driver will lead you back to your location.