Rachel & Harrison
Things To Do
Historic Cellars of the Underground City
This is a must do in Montepulciano! We stumbled upon it late on night, you can wander around yourselves or do a guided tour. Explore the maze of numerous cellars that make up the path of the underground city. Spooky but so fun!
Pienza
Pienza is a town and comune in the province of Siena, Tuscany, in the historical region of Val d'Orcia. Situated between the towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino, it is considered the "touchstone of Renaissance urbanism". In 1996, UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site, and in 2004 the entire valley, the Val d'Orcia, was included on the list of UNESCO's World Cultural Landscapes.
Field from Gladiator Scene
The scene where Commodus sends his Praetorian guards to Maximus' house to kill his wife (Giannina Facio) and son (Giorgio Cantarini) is one of the most iconic scenes in the movie. In this scene, Maximus' son runs towards the soldiers who have arrived to kill him and his mother, thinking that his father is coming home. To get to this location, head south from Florence on A1 and allow for approximately two hours driving time. Alternatively, you can take a train from nearby towns such as Grosseto or Montalcino and hop onto a bus or private transfer service, which will drop you off at Val d’Orcia srl.
Tuscany Horse Trekking
This company is friendly with our venue Terre Di Nano, so may be a good option for anyone who would like to go for a ride nearby!
Thermal Baths
Antiche Terme Romane di Cavascura: Natural Roman thermal baths in the charming town "Bagno Vignoni.” Swim in the warm pools for free, or pay entry at "Hotel Posta Marcucci" and use their luxurious thermal pools and bar service. Fosso Bianco (In Bagni San Filippo): Warm thermal bathing water in sparkling white rock baths set in a forest (less highly reviewed).
Michelin Star Restaurant Daria
Ristorante Daria is located in the charming medieval village of Monticchiello between Pienza and Montepulciano. You will find the restaurant on Via San Luigi, a two-minute walk from the village gate.
Hillside Towns
Siena is famous for its charming, medieval hillside towns. A few to put on your radar: SAN GIMIGNANO A captivating medieval town renowned for its iconic skyline adorned with ancient stone towers. Its well-preserved architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and panoramic views make it a timeless destination, offering visitors a journey back to the enchanting days of medieval Italy. MONTEPULCIANO Famous for its fine wines, Montepulciano was originally an Etruscan fortress and is one of the highest towns in Tuscany. Visit the historic medieval wine cellar "De'Ricci" constructed in 1150 for a wine tasting (you need a reservation). MONTALCINO The hometown of Brunello, the famous red wine. Montalcino is also an exceptionally beautiful historic city. MONTEFOLLONICO Beautiful village with good restaurants and a nice view from its hilltop church "Chiesa di San Leonardo".
Biking
Biking is a great way to enjoy the breathtaking views of Val d'Orcia. There's a few routes we would recommend, such as the Pienza Route (an asphalt route that takes you to/from Pienza and Montepulciano). Please reach out if you'd like to rent either bikes or e-bikes during your trip and we would be happy to get you in touch with a local vendor! E-Bikes will generally cost around 60 Euros per day from local vendors.