Words —
Elle Watson
There is something irresistible about a road trip through Tuscany with good friends. Golden leisurely days spent chasing picture-perfect scenery, fine wine, and the freedom of the open road.
For three days, my friend and I drive through the backcountry’s rolling hills, exploring wineries and medieval towns glowing on hilltops. Along every winding road from Chianti to Val d’Orcia, we pass by swathes of vineyards, olive groves, and wheat fields. As far as the eye can see, the iconic Tuscan cypress weave through the landscape.
Here are some of the highlights…
Albola Castle
Our first stop is Castello di Albola in the Chianti region, renowned for its red wine. We take our time enjoying the estate’s Chianti Classico wine in a picturesque courtyard filled with sweet jasmine, followed by a Tuscan lunch prepared by in-house chefs. Afterwards, we wander through the wine cellar and its vast vineyard which spans 900 hectares.
Brolio Castle
High in an isolated hill in southern Chianti rises the massive Castello di Brolio, ancestral home of the Ricasoli family for over 800 years. It was here that Baron Ricasoli perfected the formula for Chianti wine. The fortress grounds include a large, manicured garden and, high above the stone walls, a punto panoramico with its spectacular 180-degree view stretches endlessly into the distance. Siena can even be seen on a clear day.
San Quirico d’Orcia
The Chianti gives way to the Val d’Orcia region, where the idyllic pastoral scape is photogenic from every curve of the road. The essence of Tuscany is famously captured by the homecoming scene in Gladiator, filmed in the quiet town of San Quirico d’Orcia. We stop for photos at the Podere Belvedere, where a circle of cypress trees frames one of Tuscany’s most iconic views.
Pienza
It is early evening when we traverse the warm honey-stone streets and walls of Pienza, the perfect Renaissance village. Arriving at the Idyllium restaurant just as the sun is beginning to set, we grab a table at the bustling outdoor terrace overlooking valleys alight with evening hues of pink and salmon. By nightfall, Venus and Jupiter sparkle bright above the western horizon.
Montepulciano
The ascent by foot through Montepulciano from Sant’Agnese to the Piazza Grande is steep but rewarding. The scenery shifts from sweeping views of the grand hilltop town to tiled lanes of wine cellars and artisan shops. Lunch at Osteria Del Borgo with Vino Nobile and pici pasta revive us for further exploration. At the foot of the hill, Tempio di San Biagio emerges at the end of a cypress lined driveway. The monolithic church built in travertine stone offers a cool respite from the afternoon heat.
Between the vineyards of Chianti and golden valleys of Val d’Orcia, Tuscany lives up to its reputation as one of the most visually stunning places in the world. We reluctantly leave Italy wondering why life shouldn’t be lived with a slower tempo.
