Self-Guided Tour of Southern Tuscany

Treat yourselves to this 4-night independent full-immersion into la vita toscana. Travel at your own pace while discovering great art, perfectly manicured landscapes, abundant vineyards, comfortable stone houses with big fireplaces, foods that are as delicious as they are simple, and great wines to accompany all of the above. We have included just the right amount of exclusive activities you could never do on your own, so that you can experience all the things that make Tuscany one of the most magical places on earth.

Day 1, Radicofani and the Orcia Valley

• Arrival on your own at a hunting lodge built in the second half of the 18th century, surrounded by a park of oak and cypress trees. The residence is set on a panoramic hill outside the ancient hamlet of Radicofani and offers a welcoming atmosphere filled with country antiques.
• Enjoy a welcome drink with the charming English-speaking owners among the cypresses or around the pool, weather permitting, followed by a rich welcome dinner, local wine included.
• Overnight in your private room.
  

Day 2, Montalcino

• Breakfast at the residence.
• This morning you may try out the world-class treatments at the spa in San Casciano dei Bagni, or take a relaxing walk in the horti leonini Renaissance gardens in the exquisite town of San Quirico d’Orcia.
• Lunch on your own.
• In the afternoon you're off to explore Montalcino, a quaint medieval village that is known throughout the world for its unique red wine called Brunello. Montalcino is named after the live oaks that used to cover the hill it stands on. Its medieval fortified core is still perfectly intact: the fortress, small churches, steep lanes and slender belltower will take you back in time to the fairy-tale days of yore.
• While in Montalcino you'll enjoy a guided Brunello tasting in one of the local wineries.
• In the late afternoon, return to your lodgings for a tasting of the most important wines of Southern Tuscany, paired with yummy local appetizers. You'll get to compare a Brunello, a Montepulciano Nobile, and a Montecucco.
• Dinner is on your own, and we highly recommend you stay right there for a special menu based on saffron recipes or local delicacies.
• Overnight in Radicofani.
  

Day 3, Pienza

• Breakfast at your lodgings.
• Check out and drive through the breathtaking vistas of the Orcia Valley, which changes color and atmosphere with the passing of each season. Ochre in early winter, pale green in springtime, bright golden at harvest time: each season is a perfect moment to enjoy its wide range of local gourmet products.
• Shortly you will come to Pienza. Take all the time you want to explore this pure Renaissance town. Once called Corsignano, it changed its name after Enea Silvio Piccolomini radically remodeled the town and became Pope Pius II. In the second half of the 15th century, Piccolomini was actually able to fulfill his dream of creating the “ideal” city, following precepts of the urban and aesthetic ideals of the Renaissance. There is no town like this on the planet, and it's well worth a visit.
• In the afternoon you'll visit a pecorino farm to taste some of the unique local sheep's cheese. If you think you know pecorino, believe us, nowhere on earth does it taste like it does right here!
• In the late afternoon you'll check into your room at a family-run hotel right in the center of Pienza.
• Tonight you'll enjoy a classic Tuscan dinner at a local trattoria.
• Overnight in Pienza.
  

Day 4, Montepulciano

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• You'll have the whole day to explore this area as you wish. You may want to visit the ancient Etruscan towns of Arezzo and Cortona or discover Montepulciano, an important medieval town with spectacular views of the Val d’Orcia countryside. The town is famous for its noble red wine: a taste of it is always available inside the amazing cellars that crisscross the hillside beneath the aristocratic Renaissance palaces. We guarantee you've never seen anything like them!
• Return to Pienza, dinner on your own and overnight.

Day 5

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out and arrivederci until next time!
  

Click here to view your accommodations