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

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.

This Truffle Hunt is ideal for spending an alternative day in the woods of Tuscany.

You can choose between two available options:

Truffle Hunt with Tasting

At the meeting point you will meet the guide, who also speaks English, with his truffle dogs who will accompany you during your experience. As soon as the hunt is over, which will last about 2 hours, you will have the opportunity to move on to a tasting of fresh truffle crostini and other local products. Finally, you will also have the opportunity to taste a glass of the Chianti Colli Senese wine produced by the facility.

Truffle hunt with tasting and lunch

At the meeting point you will meet the guide with his truffle dogs, who will accompany you during your experience. As soon as the hunt is over, which will last about 2 hours, you will have the opportunity to participate and learn a cooking lesson offered by the facility's chefs. During this class you will try to prepare a complete typical menu through the use of fresh truffles. At the end of the course you will taste your menu accompanied by Chianti Colli Senese wine produced by the facility.

In case of bad weather the activity may be subject to change or cancellation.

The Chianti e-bike tour departing from Castellina allows you to experience a full day of fun cycling in the Tuscan hills.

This experience allows you to rent an e-bike for the whole day (9 hours) and admire hills, vineyards and historic villages in the company of friends or family.

Be enchanted by the Tuscan landscapes and panoramas while discovering evocative views.

This experience is suitable for everyone and e-bike rental does not require special physical training. Remember, however, that Chianti is an area with no flat roads.

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.

Lunch among the vineyards and wine tasting in San Gimignano is a very romantic experience in Tuscany. It is also available for dinner and includes a walk through the vineyards, during which you will be shown the technique of harvesting grapes. Afterwards you will be given a lesson on wine, from winemaking techniques to how to preserve a vineyard.

This will be followed by a tasting of wines and typical Tuscan products among the rows of the estate vineyard, with lunch or dinner served. The experience consists of a vertical tasting of 15 Tuscan products.

Lunch or dinner will be accompanied by the tasting and the following courses:

•    Aperitivo with typical Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses and bruschetta.
•    Tuscan Ribollita or Lasagna with truffles
•    Roasted meat with side dish
•    Cantuccini with Dessert Wine or Vanilla Ice Cream with Balsamic.

Available upon request are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu.

Horseback riding in the hills of the Sienese Chianti is a unique experience that allows you to admire the striking views of Tuscany.

On arrival at the stables you will be greeted by experienced equestrian guides who will hand you the’equipment and safety devices to be able to ride a horse.

Before leaving for the ride you will go to the sand rectangle where the guides will explain the basics of horseback riding.

At this point you will be ready to set off and reach the hills of the Sienese Chianti region, where you can admire unique landscapes and discover more about local products: wine and oil.

There will be no lack of little pearls of history and anecdotes that will make the walk even more enjoyable.

Comfortable clothing with long pants and closed shoes is recommended.

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 Chianti e-bike tour departing from Castellina allows you to experience a full day of fun cycling in the Tuscan hills.

This experience allows you to rent an e-bike for the whole day (9 hours) and admire hills, vineyards and historic villages in the company of friends or family.

Be enchanted by the Tuscan landscapes and panoramas while discovering evocative views.

This experience is suitable for everyone and e-bike rental does not require special physical training. Remember, however, that Chianti is an area with no flat roads.

Enjoy a horseback ride through the typical Tuscan countryside, along the scenic trails that connect Volterra and San Gimignano.

This experience is suitable for everyone, even those who are approaching the world of horseback riding for the first time. As far as horseback riding is concerned, children, from 14 years of age, can also participate.

You will be accompanied by experienced instructors and docile, trained horses. Suitable sportswear with long pants and closed shoes is required.

When booking, you can choose from several options.

1-hour ride in the hills (from 14 years of age)

This horseback ride in the hills between Volterra and San Gimignano allows you to admire unique views. It is suitable for all levels of experience in the saddle, for experts and novices.

1½-hour ride in the hills (from 14 years of age)

The 1½-hour walk will take you discovering the hills between Volterra and San Gimignano. This activity is suitable for all levels of experience in the saddle, for the more experienced and for novices.

Sunset ride with aperitif (from 14 years of age)

From May to October, there è the possibility of a horseback ride at sunset: a unique way to admire the Tuscan countryside in one of the most fascinating moments of the day.

As the sun sets, the hills are tinged with a warm golden light, creating an evocative and unforgettable atmosphere.

At the end of the hike, you can enjoy a refreshing drink surrounded by nature.

For children

An activity tailored for little ones, offering a gentle and guided first approach to the world of horseback riding.

Accompanied by a qualified instructor, children will participate in a small, hand-led ride that will help them become familiar with the horse in a safe and welcoming environment.

The experience also includes a grooming session, during which young participants will learn the basics of horse care, developing trust, respect and an authentic bond with the animal.

Horseback riding in the Tuscan hills outside Florence.

This horseback ride will offer you the opportunity to explore the beautiful Pelago countryside on horseback, enjoying an experience in contact with nature.

The rides are led by experienced instructors to whom you can ask questions to learn about the area and discover curiosities about horses and their lives. The horses that will accompany you are docile and well-trained making the experience suitable even for beginners and children from 10 years old.

You will explore scenic trails, cross green hills and admire typical landscapes of the area, immersed in the beauty of Tuscan nature. 

You can choose from several tours:

•    1-hour walk
•    1-hour and 30-minute walk
•    2-hour walk
•    4-hour walk with lunch at a farmhouse

The equipment for horseback riding will be provided to you by the facility, but the appropriate sportswear (long pants and closed shoes) should be your own.

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.

Horseback riding among the vineyards with aperitif in the province of Florence.

You will leave from the stables in Pelago together with an equestrian guide and begin a horseback ride through the hills and vineyards of the Tuscan countryside, near Florence.

Along the way you will cross scenic trails among the vineyards and enjoy an outdoor experience in contact with the land.

On your return to the stables, an aperitif with local products will be waiting for you to end the experience in a simple and relaxed way.

The horses are docile and well-trained, so the activity is also suitable for first-time riders.

Equipment for riding horses will be provided to you by the facility, but appropriate sportswear, with long pants and closed shoes, should be your own.

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 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.

Lunch among the vineyards and wine tasting in San Gimignano is a very romantic experience in Tuscany. It is also available for dinner and includes a walk through the vineyards, during which you will be shown the technique of harvesting grapes. Afterwards you will be given a lesson on wine, from winemaking techniques to how to preserve a vineyard.

This will be followed by a tasting of wines and typical Tuscan products among the rows of the estate vineyard, with lunch or dinner served. The experience consists of a vertical tasting of 15 Tuscan products.

Lunch or dinner will be accompanied by the tasting and the following courses:

•    Aperitivo with typical Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses and bruschetta.
•    Tuscan Ribollita or Lasagna with truffles
•    Roasted meat with side dish
•    Cantuccini with Dessert Wine or Vanilla Ice Cream with Balsamic.

Available upon request are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu.

The horseback riding tour among the vineyards and tasting in San Gimignano will take place among the unforgettable panoramic views among rustic farmhouses and vineyards in the area.

It is a horseback tour of the estate, nearby vineyards and the forest around San Gimignano (1 hour).

Afterwards there will be a short lecture on wine and vineyards, after which there will be a full wine tasting and then, if selected, lunch outdoors in the garden.

Wine tasting in San Gimignano at a family-run estate surrounded by Tuscan nature.

You can choose from 4 types of tastings:

As you want them

This tasting begins with a short walk through one of the vineyards where the guide will give you information about the estate along with several trivia about the vine. Once back you can then choose 4 wines to taste from the 7 types produced.

4 wines for a few

This tasting will allow you to taste 4 "special" wines since less than 1,000 bottles of each are produced per year. The wines are: "Ximon” Toscana Bianco IGT, “Donna Lucia” Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, “Centodue” Toscana Rosso IGT, Chianti Riserva DOCG.

4 DOCG wines

In this tasting you will taste the most classic wines of the Tuscan tradition, including Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, “Donna Lucia” Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, Chianti Riserva DOCG.

The Fantastic 7

During this tasting you will taste all 7 wines that are produced by the estate, specifically: Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, “Donna Lucia” Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, “Ximon” Toscana Bianco IGT, “Il Rosato della via vecchia”, Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, Chianti Riserva DOCG, “Centodue” Toscana Rosso IGT.

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.