Arcidosso: A Castle Town and Its Two Prophets
A castle town on Monte Amiata’s Grosseto side, bound up with two religious visionaries a century apart: David Lazzaretti on Monte Labbro and the Tibetan master Namkhai Norbu.
Seggiano: Olive Country Under Monte Amiata
The lowest of our Amiata villages: olive country, with a Renaissance famine-vow sanctuary and an artist’s sculpture garden of about 16 hectares.
Roccalbegna: Lorenzetti Panels Beneath Two Fortresses
A small fortified village in the upper Albegna valley, with three panels by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in its parish church and a fire rite every 24 November in the hamlet of Santa Caterina.
Semproniano: Templar Legends and Open Cellars in Southern Amiata
A quiet village on the southern edge of Amiata, with the limestone-perched hamlet of Rocchette di Fazio, an October open-cellar festival, and a project to rescue centuries-old olive trees.
San Quirico d’Orcia: An Emperor, a Pisano Portal, and a Garden
San Quirico d’Orcia Tuscany: Barbarossa’s 1155 visit, a Giovanni Pisano portal, and a Medici-era garden. Read our guide and plan your stop.
Radicofani: The Pope’s Border Fortress, Blown Up on Purpose
Radicofani Tuscany: a papal fortress on a volcanic rock, a Medici posthouse, and Dante’s bandit. Plan your visit to the Val d’Orcia’s southern gate.
Bagni San Filippo: A Free Hot Stream and Its Rules
Bagni San Filippo Tuscany: a free hot stream, white limestone, and years of rows over access. Read the rules before you go and plan your visit.
5 Days in the Val d’Orcia: Along the Francigena
A 5-day Val d’Orcia itinerary along the Via Francigena: castles, hot springs, pecorino, oil, and a walk. Plan your route with our guide.
Rocca d’Orcia: The Salimbeni Stronghold Where Saint Catherine Stayed
Rocca d’Orcia Tuscany: the Salimbeni fortress of Tentennano, Saint Catherine’s 1377 stay, and the private castle of Ripa d’Orcia. Plan your visit here.
Castiglione d’Orcia: Two Fortresses and a Madonna’s Swallow
Castiglione d’Orcia Tuscany: two fortresses on one ticket, a Simone Martini Madonna, and the valley’s oil cooperative. Plan your visit here.