After leaving Florence, we head in the direction of the "Crete senesi" (the region filled with cypress trees, fields, livestock, and beautiful scenery), one of the most beautiful areas in the Tuscan countryside. So beautiful that the postcards made here seem more like perfect landscape paintings. Our first stop is in the town of Montalcino. Everything revolves around wine-production in this town, as you can see from the numerous shops and wine-bars where you can taste and buy Brunello, an aristocratic red wine produced with Sangiovese grapes.
The " Rocca " is a very imposing castle enclosed by walls with angular towers. It sits upon a hill at over 500 meters and dominates the valleys of d'Arbia and d'Orcia. In the center of town in the Piazza del Popolo, you come to the "Palazzo dei Priori" from the 1300's and not far you find three churches: Sant'Agostino, Sant'Egidio, and the Duomo (cathedral). After a ten minutes car ride, you'll reach the Fattoria dei Barbi winery , one of the most famous Brunello wine producers. Here you can visit the old wine cellars that have capacity for 5.000 hl in oak barrels, 12.000 hl in stainless steel or concrete vats, 200 hl in kegs, and 240 hl in barriques. After the visit you'll have the chance to taste their wines.

Following a short trip by car we come to the lovely town of Pienza , recognized by UNESCO as having a world famous cultural and natural patrimony. Pienza is located at the top of a hill, from where you get the most breath taking view of the Val D'Orcia. Pienza owes its founding to Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who became Pope Pio II in 1458. The town's main square " Piazza Pio II " takes his name and is the cornerstone of the town. (It can also be seen in the film Romeo and Juliet directed by Franco Zeffirelli and the Oscar-winning epic The English Patient) It is a trapezoid shape, made of bricks and from here you can admire the Duomo, Piccolomini Palazzo, and the church of San Francesco . Strolling through the charming streets of the center, you will find street names such as "Via dell'Amore, del Bacio, della Fortuna" which means, of Love, Kiss, Luck.

The streets are also filled with craft shops and shops selling regional specialities such as " pecorino di Pienza " and wine, of course. "Pecorino" is sheep's milk cheese, but here it is put in a pit to mature. Most shops feature many different varieties of cheeses and wines and are happy to dole out samples. Moving along through the Tuscan countryside, among unforgettable and peaceful scenery, sweet and green hills, we come back to your accommodation. Time permitting you'll stop in Montepulciano for a short trip, to admire the most important sites.