Southern Tuscany offers a very different, and no less spectacular, scenery. Today we enjoyed one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful stretches of road as we drove south to the Val d’Orcia. Here we found barren hills, dotted with cypress trees and stone farmhouses. We visited the remote, serene Abbey of Sant’Antimo and nearby Montalcino, once an impregnable fortress and now the centre of Brunello wine production. We attended a wine tasting and enjoyed a light lunch at the Altesino winery after touring the facility. http://www.altesino.it

In the afternoon we visited Pienza.  There are delightful little shops and cafe’s filled with goodies including beautiful linens, footwear and clothing, and of course great coffee.

The later afternoon took us to Podere Il Casale.  Here we sampled various cheeses including the region’s famous Pecorino cheese.  Podere Il Casale is a local artisanal cheese maker.

After touring the farm we enjoyed a fabulous dinner on this countryside trattoria.  The group agreed the “farm to table dinner”  was the highlight of the day.    Podere il Casale
Overnight: NH Hotel, Siena