Val d'Orcia private tour: Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano

Discover the epitome of “Tuscan rolling hills” in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Val d’Orcia. This spellbinding region emcompasses all of Tuscany in its scenic beauty, charming villages, rolling hills, cyprus trees, and never ending vineyards! Your personal driver will pick you up directly from your accomodation in Florence. Then, simply sit back and enjoy the views from the window of your private, luxury vehicle. With anything you need, your driver will be happy to help you. The picturesque drive from Florence to Val d'Orcia will take about two hours.

After driving through the most beautiful land you can imagine, you will be itching to explore a small town! Your first stop will be Montalcino, the land of the world-renowned Brunello wine. Your driver will drop you off, and you will have an hour and a half to independently explore this tiny, hidden gem in the green countryside! Stroll through labyrinths of cobblestone streets, visit small wine shops, and admire the essence of medieval Tuscany still shining through Montalcino! As you walk uphill through the town, you will inevitably end up at the town's majestic Fortress. Here, you can find breathtaking views of the surrounding rolling hills, ancient oak trees, scenic roads, and perfect vineyards! Whenever you are ready to continue your journey, your driver will be happy to pick you up.

One perk of booking a private tour is the ability to make stops along the way! Ask your driver to first bring you to the Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta. This is one of the most photographed spots in Tuscany - the small, charming chapel contrasts magically with the bright, green rolling hills, and it is perfectly framed with a line of cyprus trees. Not only is this spot picture-perfect, but it is also extremely sacred. Legend has it that this was the exact spot where Virgin Mary appeared to the shepherds. Next, you can ask your driver to head to the gladiator’s home in Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning “Gladiator.” Although the film primarily focuses on Rome, the gladiator character (played by Russel Crowe) heads home in a serene paradise surrounded by rolling, green hills and cyprus trees. This tiny slice of heaven was filmed in Val d'Orcia. Your private driver will be happy to take you on the exact path of the film until you reach the gates to the home.

Next your driver will take you to Pienza, which stands high upon a hill and dominates the Orcia Valley with extraordinary views! The city stands out in Tuscany, as it was rebuilt to be an idealist-Renaissance town by order of Pope Pius II. It represents the first application of humanist urban planning concepts. Spend an hour and a half exploring the picturesque alleyways at your leisure and admire the atmosphere of harmony and peace that surrounds you. Don’t forget to try some of the town’s famous Pecorino cheese before heading to your next destination!

Your last stop of the day will be in Montepulciano, home to the exquisite Vino Nobile vineyards. More recently, the town also became world-famous for being the location of the vampire film "New Moon." Spend an hour and a half of your free time discovering the most elegant village of the entire Val D'Orcia - full of majestic noble palaces, Renaissance buildings, and imposing churches. Be sure to grab any last minute souvenirs from the wine enotecas and artisanal shops!

When you are ready to return to Florence, simply sit back, relax and enjoy your private transportation directly to your accommodation. Don’t miss out on this magical opportunity to explore the postcard scenery of Val d’Orcia!