Things to do in Val d'Orcia

The Best of Tuscany in only one day! Visit the historic towns of Montepulciano and Pienza, and experience the charm of the Tuscan lifestyle. Start by following a professional local guide through the medieval streets of Montepulciano, with a stop at the stunning Renaissance Church of St. Biagio. From there, indulge in a 3-course lunch with locally sourced products at a renowned vineyard, famous for producing one of Italy’s most celebrated wines, Brunello di Montalcino. You’ll have the opportunity to savor the rich flavors of this iconic wine in the very place it's made. After lunch, head to Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside and its world-famous Pecorino cheese. This leisurely visit will leave you enchanted by the simplicity and beauty of rural Italian life. With an expert English-speaking guide and a private air-conditioned coach, you can enjoy the scenic landscapes in comfort and style. This tour promises a memorable day full of delicious food, incredible wines, and unforgettable views—an experience that will stay with you forever.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Florence and embark on an exploration of the Tuscan countryside. Travel aboard your comfortable air-conditioned bus through the Tuscan hills and discover the marvelous Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at two splendid wineries, wander through medieval towns, and sample the typical products of this enchanted place. Meet your tour leader in the heart of Florence and board your comfortable grand tour coach. Relax as you journey through the gentle Tuscan hills en route to Montalcino. Here, you'll have the opportunity to taste the world-famous Brunello di Montalcino wine at a small but characteristic local winery. Enjoy your free time exploring Montalcino, climb to the top of the town to admire the splendid pentagonal fortress. From there, you'll have the chance to contemplate the picturesque landscape characteristic of this valley: the gentle hills, ancient oaks, picturesque olive groves, vineyards, and cypress trees. Continue your journey to Pienza, a small but beautiful town situated atop a hill overlooking the Val d'Orcia. Needless to say, the view from Pienza is extraordinary. Get lost in the characteristic alleyways of Pienza and take time to observe the lively shops full of typical local products. The last stop of this wonderful tour will be Montepulciano, home to the famous vineyards of Vino Nobile, and known to many for being the location where a scene from the vampire movie "New Moon" was filmed. Here too, you'll have the opportunity to visit a splendid historic winery. Explore the cellars where the wine is stored beneath the ancient walls of the winery and listen to the stories and techniques of wine preservation. With eyes full of wonder, return to Florence aboard your comfortable bus, always accompanied by your expert tour leader who will be ready to answer any questions and curiosities!

Embark on a fascinating journey through the wine making traditions of Tuscany on a guided cellar tour in the medieval village of Montepulciano. Famous for its noble red wines, the wine region is also notable for the use of quality wood to age the wine. Marvel at the rows of enormous oak barrels from Slavonia, where refined Nobile di Montepulciano wines are stored alongside barrels made from quality French wood. Hear about the sandy tufa soil of the area, where fossils have been found to provide evidence of ancient origins. Pair your wines with bruschetta with extra-virgin olive oil.

Depart from Florence for a journey through the natural beauties of Tuscany to discover walls, castles, and Templar legends. Leave with an equipped GT bus and discover Monteriggioni, the small fortified village with walls dating back to 1200 AD. Enjoy the authentic experience of walking on its medieval walls. Discover why Monteriggioni has become famous worldwide for a well-known gaming title where the protagonist fought against the famous Knights Templar. On site you can discover the museum which is dedicated to them which is included in the itinerary of this tour. Continue your tour and leave for the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO heritage area characterized by expanses of emerald hills that turn into golden fields during the summer. In this beautiful area of Tuscany you will first visit Montalcino, a village well known by Tuscans for its wine, the best in all of Tuscany. Make your visit even more special by selecting the option that includes a possible wine tasting paired with local produce. After a picturesque stroll through the streets and authentic shops you will depart for the last stop of your tour, Pienza; a famous village known for its cheese production. Take some free time and visit the Pecorino di Pienza for a spot of shopping. Witness fabulous panoramic views of Val d'Orcia before heading back to Florence for the end of your day. If you select Transfer Only option you'll be free to visit independently each village and taste Tuscan flavours on your own.

Join a wine-tasting experience and enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch in the setting of a medieval Castle in Montalcino. Walk in the vineyard with an expert sommelier and take in the views as you learn about traditional wine-making. Taste 3 different local wines before sitting down for a 3-course lunch. Meet your sommelier and stroll together in the vineyard during which you hear the history of the castle and its family. Admire the beautiful Tuscan landscape and learn more about traditional high-quality wine production methods and techniques. Enjoy your exclusive guided wine tasting of 3 local wines with some Tuscan snacks. During the wine tasting, you will taste three of the most important and world-famous Tuscan wines, such as Sangiovese IGT or Brunello di Montalcino. The professional sommelier will provide in-depth explanations about what you taste and the uniqueness of these Italian wines. After, sit down to eat a typical Tuscan 3-course lunch. The lunch menu is composed of a selection of cold cuts & cheeses, hand-made pasta with sauces, and dessert with coffee. A vegetarian option is available, please advise at the time of booking if desired.

Discover the medieval villages of Tuscany on this full-day guided tour from Florence. Browse the historic center of Pienza and the fortress of Montalcino. Enjoy a gourmet lunch and three wine tastings at the Temple of Brunello. Explore the Sant'Antimo Abbey with an audio guide and the Palazzo Pubblico. Start the tour in Pienza with free time to explore the first ideal city of the Renaissance. Tour the historic center from Piazza Pio II, the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, and Palazzo Piccolomini. If you select the option for the Palazzo Pubblico, enter the former residence of the Priors. Head to Montalcino, a perfectly preserved medieval town with a massive fortress. Start in the former convent of Sant’Agostino, which now houses the Temple of Brunello interactive museum. Travel through local history and culture to discover the production of the renowned Brunello di Montalcino wine. Top off the visit with a tasting of the famous Tuscan Brunello and lunch in the cloister of the Temple of Brunello. Let the chef’s creativity inspire you as the explosion of flavors perfectly combines with the richness of the best Tuscan wines. Close your adventure with a visit to Sant’Antimo Abbey, a Benedictine church founded, according to legend, by Charlemagne in the ninth century. See the scenic clearing surrounded by wheat fields, ancient olive trees, and vineyards. Raise a final glass to the day’s adventures before returning to Florence.

The tour departs from Florence and heads into the luscious surrounds of Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Listed site since 2004. As you travel to the first destination of the day, feel immersed in the region’s breathtaking landscapes, which were a source of inspiration for many Renaissance painters. Arrive at Montalcino, a locally owned family-run winery with an immensely welcoming atmosphere. Settle into the winery as if you were at home and learn everything there is to know about Brunello di Montalcino wine, vineyard techniques, the wine making process, wine aging, and how to appreciate wine properly. Enjoy a tasting session of the winery’s wines and try to pick up the flavors that are unique to this region. After the wine tasting, head to the nearby Papal village of Pienza, famous for its delicious Pecorino cheese. Here, enjoy a gourmet 3-course lunch in the colorful gardens of a former convent that dates back to the 15th century (April to October only). In winter season, lunch will be served inside at the restaurant). Following lunch, spend some free time exploring the town, wander around its historic center, and visit the famous cheese shops to pick up a tasty souvenir. Continue onto Montepulciano next, the final stop of the tour. Famous worldwide for its Vino Nobile wine, Montepulciano is a quintessential medieval Tuscan village with vast green landscapes marked by rolling hills and castle walls. Follow your guide for a tour of the village’s historical cellar, known locally as the ‘underground city’ and then enjoy another wine tasting session along with a sampling of delicious olive oils and other food specialties. At the end of the tasting there’s enough time to visit the main square to take some photos of the breathtaking landscape before returning to Florence.

Tour a traditional winery in Tuscany with a guide and learn all about winemaking techniques in the cellar. Enjoy a romantic 4-course lunch or dinner in the vineyard surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Tuscan countryside. Sample a different wine made in the winery paired with each course. Meet your guide at the entrance to the winery for a cellar tour to discover how wine is made in traditional Tuscan fashion. Learn about winemaking techniques, such as growing grapes, harvesting, fermentation, and aging, from your expert guide. End the tour at your table in the vineyard. From your seat among the rows of vines, admire the Tuscan hills covered with vineyards, olive groves, and woods. Admire breathtaking views no matter the season. At night, enjoy a truly romantic experience with your partner in the vineyard illuminated only by lights hanging from pylons. Tuck into a traditional 4-course Italian meal, such as a Tuscan cheese and charcuterie platter, handmade pasta with sauce or lasagne, traditional roast veal with baked potatoes, and finally a dessert. Enjoy wine from the vineyard paired with each course to bring out the flavors.

Head into the heart of Montepulciano to a historic underground cellar dating back to the 16th century. Learn about the cellar and admire its impressive vaults and tunnels which create a charming setting for the experience. Next, enjoy a tasting of premium wines with an expert sommelier. Sample some of the cellar's most prestigious wines, and learn about the different flavors. The tasting session includes four of the most well-known wines of the region, including Rosso di Montepulciano DOCG and Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. The wine is also accompanied by some delicious snacks, so you can taste the very best that Tuscany has to offer.

Enjoy the beautiful Tuscan landscapes on the way to the famous wine hill of Montalcino with your guide. Learn about the process and passion involved in creating the famous Brunello Wine, and enjoy a local lunch. First, walk in the vineyards and explore the cellars where the wine is produced and aged before enjoying an introductory tasting of the world-famous Brunello wine. Then visit the hilltop town of Montalcino. See the town's medieval fortress, and spend time browsing the shops and streets. Take in the incredible views of the valleys and vineyards below. Next, enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch at a family-run winery, accompanied by the delicious wines produced at the facility. Next, continue to the stunning and ancient Benedictine Abbey of Sant'Antimo, a special place set in a breathtaking landscape. In the afternoon, visit a third winery where you’ll get a detailed description of the wine-making process. Learn how the vines are cared for and about the long aging process in oak barrels. After visiting the cellars and getting to know the winemakers, you’ll sit down for a final tasting before the return drive to Siena.