Ilaria & Tony
Things To Do
Campi Elisi (il gladiatore)
One of cinema's most hauntingly beautiful landscapes: the Gladiator field (sometimes dubbed the Elysium Fields), where Ridley Scott filmed Maximus' final dream of home. The land belongs to Agriturismo Terrapille, a functioning farm-stay just outside Pienza overlooking the Val d'Orcia - a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. You can see the famous view from the road that leads to the agriturismo, but do keep in mind that the actual filming area is on private property. Please admire it respectfully - and don't disturb the staff and guests of the agriturismo.
Pienza
Pienza is a stunning small village with a lot of history and is considered the ideal city of the Renaissance. Walking here is immensely peaceful while still enjoying architecture and nature in perfect harmony. Fun Fact: A very important local food here is the pecorino cheese, which is one of Italy’s oldest and most beloved cheeses. Make sure to try this delicacy when in Pienza.
San Quirico d'Orcia
Ilaria's home town! San Quirico d'Orcia is an historic village in the heart of the Val d'Orcia, renowned for its medieval layout, Renaissance gardens and iconic cypress landscapes. Top sights include the Horti Leonini gardens, the Romanesque Collegiata church and the nearby Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta, offering quintessential Tuscan views.
Chapel Vitaleta
Where we got engaged! The Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta is a small jewel set among six iconic cypress trees, near San Quirico d'Orcia, a town in the center of the valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adjacent to the Chapel is Ristoro, led by chef Samuele Nocciolini. A chef who grew up between the house and the farm in the Arezzo countryside of his maternal grandmother, who made his bones abroad in starred and luxury restaurants and who has learned the value of raw materials linked to the territory thanks to experiences in Sicily and Tuscany. He arrives at the Ristoro with a very specific goal: to bring to the table local products of excellence, flavours and recipes of the past, keeping alive the rich Tuscan culinary tradition. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.30 am until sunset.
Monticchiello
Only 5 minutes drive from the venue. Monticchiello is an authentic tiny village of just a couple hundred residents. Key sights include walking its narrow, stone-paved streets, the 13th-century Pieve di Santi Leonardo e Cristoforo, and the ancient castle walls
Bagno Vignoni
Bagno Vignoni is a unique, small Tuscan village in the Val d'Orcia renowned for its Piazza delle Sorgenti, a central pool filled with 49°C thermal water, and the nearby Parco dei Mulini ruins. Visitors can enjoy the historic atmosphere, visit the ancient thermal baths, relax in local spa hotels, and enjoy the scenic, tranquil setting
