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Natural features

Val d'Orcia

Italy Siena Castiglione d'Orcia

Val d'Orcia
Photo: Carlo cattaneo fotografie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The classic Tuscan landscape of rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, golden wheat fields and hilltop towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Tuscany. Drive or cycle between Pienza, the 'ideal Renaissance town' famous for pecorino cheese; Montalcino, home of Brunello wine; Montepulciano; and the hot springs of Bagno Vignoni and Bagni San Filippo.


The famous chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta and the cypress circles near San Quirico d'Orcia are favourite photo spots, especially at sunrise and sunset. You really need a car.

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