Things to do in Val d'Orcia: the 10 best experiences

A wine tasting with a visit to the Tenuta degli Dei in Chianti is the perfect opportunity to spend a relaxing time surrounded by the picturesque Tuscan vineyards.

The meeting begins in front of the Church of San Leolino, a three-nave basilica that preserves valuable works of art from the Tuscan artistic tradition.

The tour continues with a visit to the vat cellar, where the vats in which the fermentation of the wines takes place, and the barrique cellar, which houses the fine French oak barrels in which the wine rests until it reaches perfect maturity.

Next, you will reach the Estate, where the tasting will take place. In the dedicated room, you will have the opportunity to taste five wines: a white wine, a rosé, a Chianti Classico and two IGTs, accompanied by a small sampling of local cured meats and cheeses.

You can choose between the tour in Italian and in English.

Minors and those not participating in the tasting do not pay and will receive a tasting of local products.

In case of food allergies or intolerances, you can contact the estate after booking.

Finally, the estate is pet friendly, welcoming your four-legged friends as well.

For the Wine Tasting in Colle Val d'Elsa you will have a choice of different packages, which include a visit to the winery:

VISIT TO THE FARM tasting the products of the estate: a walk through the village during which we will tell you about the history of the estate and the agricultural productions. You will visit the winery and the oil mill and then taste the estate's products.

LIGHT LUNCH in the FARM tasting the wines of the Estate: walk in the village during which we will tell you about the agricultural productions, and then have lunch on the veranda with the Sommelier who will guide you in the food/wine pairing.

TAGLIERE AND TASTING with the wines of the Estate: walk in the village during which we will tell you about the agricultural productions. Followed by the tasting of the products such as wine and oil together with the sommelier, accompanied by a nice board of cold cuts, cheeses and crostini, to finish cantucci and vinsanto.

Unforgettable stay in the heart of Tuscany with overnight stay in a standard room for two, with picnic or wine tasting included.

You will stay at a farmhouse surrounded by nature in San Gimigano, the package includes:

•    One night in a standard room for two people
•    Breakfast

Choice of:

•    Tasting of locally produced wines
•    Picnic

A perfect experience for those who wish to immerse themselves in the food and wine culture of one of Tuscany's most fascinating medieval towns.

Tasting wines and local products at the Brogioni Winery in Chianti provides you with a relaxing experience on a Tuscan estate.

This experience will begin with a short walk where you will be given a description of the winery and the process of extracting extra virgin olive oil will be explained.

Following that, you will visit the winery, where the winemaking process will be described.

Finally, you will taste 4 wines accompanied by typical products:

•    1 White IGT or Rosé IGT, paired with samples of bread and typical cold cuts
•    1 Chianti classico d’vintage, paired with bruschetta with local extra virgin olive oil
•    1 Chianti classico riserva, paired with a 36 month parmigiano reggiano
•    1 Supertuscan, paired with Tuscan pecorino cheese

In addition to the wines, it will be possible to taste Tuscan pecorino cheese with EVO oil with white truffle from San Miniato and with cooked must, dark cocoa cream containing 12% of EVO oil, and face, hand and body creams produced on site.

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

Lunch with wine tasting at Cantina Brogioni is a perfect experience to spend a relaxing moment surrounded by the Chianti hills.

After a short walk during which you will be given a description of the winery and the process of extracting extra virgin olive oil, you will visit the winery, where you will learn more about the winemaking process.

Following this, you will be served a three-course lunch paired with 4 local wines:

•    1 first course of pasta al pesto (pine nuts, fresh basil, EVO oil and parmesan cheese), paired with an IGT white wine and a vintage Chianti classico
•    1 second course consisting of bruschetta with local EVO oil, selection of typical Tuscan salumi, 36 month Parmigiano Reggiano and Tuscan pecorino cheese, paired with a Chianti classico riserva and a Supertuscan
•    2 samples of Tuscan pecorino, one with local EVO oil with San Miniato white truffle and the other with cooked must
•    1 dessert consisting of a Greek yogurt mousse sprinkled with a dark cocoa cream with 12% EVO oil

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

Horseback riding in the Sienese Hills in Tuscany can last one or two hours, and has the riding stables as its starting point. Nearby there are many woods through which you will be led.

Favorite destinations to reach are several hermitages, such as churches and monasteries, including Eremo di Lecceto or San Leonardo al Lago (2h). The latter is located on the Via Francigena, a beautiful scenic road with views of the Sienese hills.

Little curiosity: the Via Francigena is a pilgrimage route that in the Middle Ages joined Canterbury to Rome, site of St. Peter's tomb, and this to the ports of Puglia, where it was possible to embark to the Holy Land.

A wine tasting with a visit to the Tenuta degli Dei in Chianti is the perfect opportunity to spend a relaxing time surrounded by the picturesque Tuscan vineyards.

The meeting begins in front of the Church of San Leolino, a three-nave basilica that preserves valuable works of art from the Tuscan artistic tradition.

The tour continues with a visit to the vat cellar, where the vats in which the fermentation of the wines takes place, and the barrique cellar, which houses the fine French oak barrels in which the wine rests until it reaches perfect maturity.

Next, you will reach the Estate, where the tasting will take place. In the dedicated room, you will have the opportunity to taste five wines: a white wine, a rosé, a Chianti Classico and two IGTs, accompanied by a small sampling of local cured meats and cheeses.

You can choose between the tour in Italian and in English.

Minors and those not participating in the tasting do not pay and will receive a tasting of local products.

In case of food allergies or intolerances, you can contact the estate after booking.

Finally, the estate is pet friendly, welcoming your four-legged friends as well.

For the Wine Tasting in Colle Val d'Elsa you will have a choice of different packages, which include a visit to the winery:

VISIT TO THE FARM tasting the products of the estate: a walk through the village during which we will tell you about the history of the estate and the agricultural productions. You will visit the winery and the oil mill and then taste the estate's products.

LIGHT LUNCH in the FARM tasting the wines of the Estate: walk in the village during which we will tell you about the agricultural productions, and then have lunch on the veranda with the Sommelier who will guide you in the food/wine pairing.

TAGLIERE AND TASTING with the wines of the Estate: walk in the village during which we will tell you about the agricultural productions. Followed by the tasting of the products such as wine and oil together with the sommelier, accompanied by a nice board of cold cuts, cheeses and crostini, to finish cantucci and vinsanto.

Florence seen from the Arno: a relaxing experience in the heart of the city.

Discover the historic center of Florence from an unusual perspective, directly from the river. You can choose between two modes: Rafting or Packrafting, departing from San Niccolò and arriving at Santa Rosa.

The excursion scenic and relaxing, suitable for all, and lasts about 2 hours including welcome, briefing and descent to the Arno.

During the route you will pass under the Pontevecchio, next to the Vasari Corridor, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Santa Trinità, with the opportunity to take unique photos. The guide will accompany you with stories and trivia about the history of the river and the city.

Rafting Pontevecchio

Aboard an inflatable boat led by a guide, for those seeking relaxation and sharing.

Packrafting Pontevecchio

With a small one-person inflatable boat to be driven independently, easy and fun. Children will only be allowed on it accompanied by an adult. 

Unforgettable stay in the heart of Tuscany with overnight stay in a standard room for two, with picnic or wine tasting included.

You will stay at a farmhouse surrounded by nature in San Gimigano, the package includes:

•    One night in a standard room for two people
•    Breakfast

Choice of:

•    Tasting of locally produced wines
•    Picnic

A perfect experience for those who wish to immerse themselves in the food and wine culture of one of Tuscany's most fascinating medieval towns.

The walk with alpacas in the Florentine Hills è a pleasant experience in the midst of woods and fields on the outskirts of Florence, accompanied by the sweetest alpacas. During the loop trail, which is about 3 km long, you will learn about all the alpacas you will be walking.

After the walk you can stop on the meadow and enjoy the spectacle of the alpacas in freedom.

We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and sports or hiking shoes.

Tasting wines and local products at the Brogioni Winery in Chianti provides you with a relaxing experience on a Tuscan estate.

This experience will begin with a short walk where you will be given a description of the winery and the process of extracting extra virgin olive oil will be explained.

Following that, you will visit the winery, where the winemaking process will be described.

Finally, you will taste 4 wines accompanied by typical products:

•    1 White IGT or Rosé IGT, paired with samples of bread and typical cold cuts
•    1 Chianti classico d’vintage, paired with bruschetta with local extra virgin olive oil
•    1 Chianti classico riserva, paired with a 36 month parmigiano reggiano
•    1 Supertuscan, paired with Tuscan pecorino cheese

In addition to the wines, it will be possible to taste Tuscan pecorino cheese with EVO oil with white truffle from San Miniato and with cooked must, dark cocoa cream containing 12% of EVO oil, and face, hand and body creams produced on site.

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

Unforgettable stay in the heart of Tuscany with overnight stay in a standard room for two, with picnic or wine tasting included.

You will stay at a farmhouse surrounded by nature in San Gimigano, the package includes:

•    One night in a standard room for two people
•    Breakfast

Choice of:

•    Tasting of locally produced wines
•    Picnic

A perfect experience for those who wish to immerse themselves in the food and wine culture of one of Tuscany's most fascinating medieval towns.

Rafting from Colle Val d'Elsa in Tuscany, perfect for an adventure within nature suitable for adults and children.

Two tours can be distinguished within the experience:

Rafting

The duration of the route è of 1 hour where the river offers gentle and accessible navigation away from adrenaline rapids. This experience è designed for those approaching this type of activity for the first time. The minimum age for children is 6 years old. At the meeting point, the necessary equipment will be handed over and a briefing will be given to explain safety rules. The arrival è point is different from the departure point, about 15 minutes walk.

Packrafting

The duration of the trail è is 1 hour and 30 minutes and è perfect for those who wish to explore the river on their own, but in complete safety. The minimum age for children è is 12 years old. At the meeting point, the necessary equipment will be handed over and a briefing will be given to explain safety rules. The arrival è point is different from the departure point, about 15 minutes walk.

Tours are subject to weather conditions, so the activity may be subject to change.

Tasting of four locally produced wines accompanied by a board with typical Tuscan products in San Gimignano.

Program

The experience will begin with a meeting at the winery, where dedicated staff will welcome you.

After a brief introduction about the family history and presentation of the winery, you will begin the tasting of 5 wines accompanied by a rich platter of typical Tuscan cold cuts, mixed bruschetta and selection of Tuscan pecorino cheeses.

Tuscan winery lunch in San Gimignano, with guided tasting of 5 wines and local dishes.

During the experience you will meet in the winery for a brief introduction to the history of the family and the winery. Following this, you will participate in a tasting of five wines, paired with a lunch of Tuscan specialties including typical salumi, mixed bruschetta, selection of pecorino cheese, a traditional first course and, for dessert, chocolate and Sottobosco.

The experience will take place in San Gimignano and is designed for those who wish to discover local flavors in an authentic setting. The tasting will be guided and the menù is fixed.

Cooking course in the heart of Tuscany, with wine tasting and full lunch.

Under the guidance of the chef you will learn how to make bruschetta with seasonal ingredients, a type of fresh handmade pasta with typical Tuscan sauces and a traditional dessert.

At the end you will enjoy the lunch you cooked in a typical setting, accompanied by locally produced wines.

The course è hands-on and engaging, designed to let you participate firsthand in the preparation of the dishes.