Villages of the Orcia-Chiana Ridge

There are several pretty and lesser know hill top villages very close to Siena House.  A favourite zone to explore, dotted with quiet, pretty hill top villages with few tourists is an area we refer to as the ‘Orcia – Chiana Ridge’. Winding roads with glorious open views extending out left and right between the villages and Olive groves, we love just driving it. Beginning minutes away with the small town of Sinalunga, hill top villages in this area include Montisi, Castelmuzio, Petroio, Trequanda, Montefollonico & Scrofiano. Choose a village to stop at and stroll, find pretty streets to wander stop for Gelato or Caffe – or just explore. With few tourists, this is that elusive off the beaten track Tuscany.

This ridge that separates the Val d’Orcia and the Val di Chiana, it dominates the horizon from the central part of the Val di Chiana.  Siena House sits out in front of it on a dimple in the ascending rim of the Val di Chiana’s bowl, and as you approach us from Rome or Florence these are the Oak covered hills you see just behind us.

Close enough to explore ‘at the drop of a hat’ get into it at moments’ drive from the house. With beautiful olive groves and long views between the hills into the Orcia and Chiana valleys, this is a zone that still feels ‘cognoscenti’ and undiscovered, and it’s lovely to explore whether you get out of the car or not.