Surroundings

Montalcino, the home of one of Italy’s most iconic wines – Brunello – is just a five-minute walk away. In the old town centre, you can visit the Brunello Museum and walk up to the 14^th-century fortress that towers over the town. Walk around the walls to take in the stunning views. Discover and visit the numerous churches with important frescoes and the rich Municipal and Diocesan Museum, with its archaeological collection of local artefacts. Montalcino has been awarded the Italian Touring Club’s Orange Flag.

Don’t miss:

•  L’ APERTURA DELLE CACCE(THE START OF HUNTING SEASON): A fixed appointment on the second Sunday of August, accompanied by the historical parade and archery competition between the different neighbourhoods of Montalcino, keeping ancient tradition alive through a moment of connection with the past and involvement in local culture.
• LA SAGRA DEL TORDO: Held on the last Sunday of October. The town dresses up with flags, music, folk dances and culinary aromas that invade the streets where the medieval historical procession parades, announced by the sound of trumpets. An authentic experience of tradition and community, an event which celebrates culture and history, while the Ruga, Travaglio, Borghetto and Pianello neighbourhoods compete in the historic archery competition.
• THE HONEY FESTIVAL: Montalcino, the home of honey, offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about and appreciate this precious product, with markets, conferences, educational activities and demonstrations taking place during the second weekend in September.
• SAGRA DEL GALLETTO:Every year, on the first Sunday in October, Camigliano hosts the Sagra del Galletto (Cockerel Festival), a way to discover ancient culinary and folk traditions. The Torneo della Druzzola also takes place at the same time, with four players competing in the shooting of an olive wood disc with an iron rim, which is rolled along the village streets thanks to a long length of rope.
• THE WHITE TRUFFLE MARKET AND EXHIBITION: Every year, San Giovanni d’Asso hosts the White Truffle Market and Exhibition, the white truffle being another precious gift of nature in which this territory is rich. One of the most important events in the sector, it was established in 1985 thanks to Associazione Tartufai Senesi and the municipal administration.
• SANT’ANGELO SCALO IN FESTIVAL:  the traditional festival of Sant’Angelo Scalo takes place every year on the 1^st of May, to mark Labour Day. Crowds flock to the little village to visit the famous fair, with stalls of all kinds, offering a wide range of culinary delights and wines. A play area is also set aside for young children. The Palio dei Ciuchi is held in the afternoon, with the three districts of the village competing in this traditional donkey race.

The Val d’Orcia offers a unique experience for nature enthusiasts, those with a passion for history, and wine lovers. Its picturesque landscapes are known the world over for their beauty and have become an icon of Tuscany, inspiring countless artists and photographers. The view of golden fields and age-old cypresses, the ravines that ripple across the hills, the lush vineyards that line the roads and the historical opulence of the villages are the perfect guide for an unforgettable day.

Castelnuovo dell’Abate is a medieval village overlooking the majestic Abbey of Sant’Antimo, one of the most important Romanesque structures in Tuscany, founded in the 8^th century by Charlemagne and subsequently inhabited by Benedictine Monks.

San Giovanni d’Asso’s fame extends far beyond the borders of Italy thanks to its white truffle, a culinary delicacy with a unique aroma and extraordinary flavour, internationally acclaimed as “the diamond of the Crete Senesi”. This enchanting village is home to the Truffle Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the history and culture of this culinary treasure.

San Quirico is one of the symbols of the Val D’Orcia. It is home to the famous Horti Leonini gardens, created in the 16^th century, and the Collegiate of San Quirico e Giulitta, a Romanesque church with Gothic and Baroque elements. All around are breathtaking landscapes, dotted with the characteristic cypresses for which the area is famous all over the world.

Bagno Vignoni, embedded in the hills of the Val d’Orcia, is known for its central square, occupied by a large natural thermal pool, and for the range of spa establishments, which attract considerable interest by tourists.

This village is located along the ancient Via Francigena. To be visited all in one breath, it boasts some absolutely stunning viewpoints such as the Rocca d’Orcia.

Pienza, the old town centre of which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned not only for its architectural beauty but also for being the place where the delicious Pecorino cheese originated; a town that combines medieval charm with gastronomic delights.

Montepulciano is an historic village that retains all the charm of its medieval and Renaissance past. It is famous for the production of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and for the characteristic architecture that surround its squares, along with its narrow lanes and the Medicean Fortress dating back to the 13^th century.

Founded in 1313 by Benedictine monks, this abbey, set in breathtaking natural surroundings, is renowned for its Gothic and Renaissance architecture, as well as the magnificent frescoes inside the cloister. These frescoes, by Luca Signorelli and other Renaissance masters, tell stories from the life of St Benedict and are among the finest examples of Italian sacred art of the time.

Siena is one of the most popular destinations in our region and is located roughly an hour’s drive from our guesthouse. Every year, on 2 July and 16 August, the city’s Piazza del Campo fills up with fans and “contradaioli” (members of the local districts, known as “contrade”), for the famous Palio di Siena horse race.

In Abbadia San Salvatore, on the Sienese side of Mount Amiata, there is a museum housed in the old mining tunnels that can now be visited, travelling through them on a small train.

Terme di Bagni San Filippo is home to evocative natural thermal baths with thermal waterfalls and white limestone pools surrounded by nature, as well as establishments where it is possible to book specific treatments.

Situated in the picturesque Val d’Orcia, Radicofani is crossed by the ancient Via Francigena for a distance of 15 km. The town is home to the Romanesque Church of San Pietro, dating back to the 13^th century, which houses a valuable collection of Della Robbia terracottas and various wooden sculptures, including the ‘Madonna and Child’ by Francesco Valdambrino. The real jewel of Radicofani’s landscape is the magnificent Fortress, the perfect spot from which to enjoy the breathtaking panorama.