There is no better introduction to the Italian Renaissance than to visit this valley situated half way between Florence and Rome. This place has been added to UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites as an exceptional reflection of the way the landscape was re-written in Renaissance times to reflect the ideals of good governance and to create an aesthetically pleasing pictures and because images of the Val d’Orcia, and particularly depictions of landscapes where people are depicted as living in harmony with nature, have come to be seen as icons of the Renaissance and have profoundly influenced the development of landscape thinking. Indeed, the extraordinary beauty of this land derives from the harmony of the nature and architecture of its towns and estates. Monteverdi is no exception. It is located on the picture-perfect hill top village accessible by 2km white road from the nearest town – but still close to Siena, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano and other small jewels of the Tuscan Renaissance. This is soooo far from the crowds of the main tourist sites….

Monteverdi is an example of albergo diffuso, as Italians call it. In fact, most of the houses in the village have been restored as hotel rooms or apartments with a bar, snack bar and restaurant as gathering places for hotel guests and other visitors. No need to say that everything in this hotels is top quality and done with great taste.

I loved the flower arrangements that were changed in our room each day! All bouquets were done using flowers from the fields surrounding the village.

The food and service in the restaurant is comparable to a michelin star restaurant.

And of course the culture… it is everywhere! Villages, towns, villas… For the whole trip we followed the Monteverdi guide book that we got in our room. It is fantastic! It took us to places which only the locals and insiders know such as private visit to Villa La Foce and its refined gardens, small towns like Pienza and Bagno Vignoni, or places like Osteria da Gagliano in Sarteano, for a traditional Tuscan meal.