Memorable Moment: Val d’Orcia, Tuscany

Simply breathtaking!

I’ve been to Tuscany – many times before. And the beauty of this region should not come as a surprise. But was I wrong. The breathtaking views of Val d’Orcia, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, had me in awe.

Situated in central Italy in the province of Siena, Val d’Orcia offers you quintessential views of Tuscany that’ll have you packing for Italy. You know, the ones you see in brochures and postcards with rolling hills and cypress trees dotting the landscape.

I’m sure you’ve seen the photos, and all I can say is that no matter how many photos you have seen of Val d’Orcia, you’ll never be prepared for what you’ll see in person. Val d’Orcia is overwhelmingly beautiful.

Picturesque…to say the least

As you pan the landscape, you desire to take it all in and surrounded by so much beauty, you realize that you just can’t. Your eyes learn to focus their attention on a couple of scenes and experience them fully. The colors of fall make the views even more striking, with shades of green, orange and yellow.

I was foolish enough to think I could capture the beauty of the place with my inept iPhone and non-existent photography skills, all in hopes of sharing just an ounce of its beauty with you. While I did manage to take a few shots, the ones that are featured here, it does the place no justice, and I apologize for this.

Fall colors make Val d’Orcia look like a painting

It’s easy to understand why Val d’Orcia is one of the most photographed areas in Tuscany or even, dare I say, Italy. Driving from Montalcino to San Quirico d’Orcia at about sunset we saw a spot where professional photographers, with their hard-core equipment, jostled for position to capture that glorious golden glow that makes Val d’Orcia even more surreal.

Traveling all over Italy, I’ve never witnessed a scene quite like that – where throngs of photographers patiently camped, waiting to capture that magical moment.

Sunset in Val d’Orcia

If you are headed to Tuscany, do yourself a favor – add Val d’Orcia to your itinerary. You won’t regret it, and it’s guarantee to leave you with a lasting and memorable impression.

Here are additional resources on Val d’Orcia to give you further insights into the area:

Val d’Orcia by Casina di Rosa
Art and Culture of Val d’Orcia by turismo.intoscana.it
Val d’Orcia by Italia.it
Italy: Val d’Orcia, Tuscany’s happy valley by Telegraph Travel
Val d’Orcia by UNESCO
The Park of Val d’Orcia

Have you ever been to Val d’Orcia? Share your experience with us in the comments below.