If you
are in Tuscany you should visit the Val d’Orcia. It’s a region of Tuscany which extends from Siena to Monte Amiata. I visited two towns in this valley – Pienza
(rebuilt as an „ideal town” in the 15th century by Pope Pius II) and
Montelpuciano (village with Etruscan roots and a rich
medieval history).
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Val d’Orcia is famous from is cypress – you
can see them on any pictures from this nice region …
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Pienza – was rebuilt by
Enea Silvio Piccolomini, better known as Pope Pio II, who wanted it to become
an ideal Renaissance town. He radically changed it and gave it the name of Pienza )former name was Corsignano). Marvellous town – the stroll along main
street makes you feel this unique,
Tuscan atmosphere …
Montelpuciano –sits high on a 605-metre limestone
ridge. You can
spend in this place a lot of time – around you are
sights, shops selling local artifacts, restaurants with delicious local cuisine
and of course wineries (it’s funny you
can see people on the street with special cartboard boxes and wine inside J
) On the top of the hill there's the main square - Piazza Grande, where the
Duomo and the City Hall are. The square was used in New
Moon from the the vampire saga Twilight.
The city is full of elegant Renaissance
palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and hidden corners – so…the msut to
visit place !
The next trip we made to Volterra driving towards the sea.
Volterra stands
on a rocky hill some 1770 feet above the sea level, located between the rivers
Bra and Cecina, and is surrounded by strong walls. The district is rich in
alabaster, the working of which was an important industry of the city.
Volterra is a walled town in Tuscany
with medieval and Renaissance buildings, a Roman theater, and Etruscan sites.
It's one of Tuscany's most evocative hill towns but usually has far fewer
tourists than nearby San Gimignano.
Cecina – pleace where we spend some
Times swimming and sunbathing. The beach is nothing special – just sundy beach,
fortunately free.
Piombino – opportunity to visit Elba by
ferry
Built over the sea, Piombino has always
been a naval base. Today the city’s port is used for freight transport,
but also as marina.
From the port of Piombino leave the ferries
of the major shipping lines direct to the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago
(Elba Island is just 10km from the coast!), as well as those to Sardinia
and Corsica.
The better place for …is Populonia and
St Vincente ….pinewoods and nice beaches …
Evening way back to home
