Valdichiana Senese: why is the land of well-being?

Recognized as European Destination of Excellence

In Valdichiana Senese there are some factors that over the centuries have led its inhabitants to call it a land of good living. Even the guests who arrive among these hills for vacation or casually, feel a sense of peace and well-being capable of enveloping the body and the spirit. It does not matter which season of the year is, because the nature and cultural liveliness of Valdichiana Senese enhance every side of this Tuscan land in any time. But what are the reasons that make Valdichiana Senese a land of well-being from which it is difficult to separate?

The position

Valdichiana Senese is a territory in the open countryside, however not far from the cities of Siena, Arezzo, Florence, but also Perugia and Rome. It stretches in length from north to south, for an area of ​​about 691 km² in south-east Tuscany. On its northern border you can see the pre-Apennines and the lands of Arezzo; to the east the shores of the Umbrian Lake Trasimeno almost touch the Tuscan territory;  on its south border the high valleys of Lazio can be admired from the panoramic terraces of the southernmost villages of Valdichiana Senese; to the west, the sun sets every day on the hills of Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO landscape declared a World Heritage Site. This central location in the Italian peninsula makes Valdichiana Senese easy to reach not only from the nearby regions Umbria and Lazio, but also from more distant areas, thanks to the A1 motorway connection, with the "Chiusi" exits to the south and "Bettolle" to the north, and the Trenitalia Freccia Rossa high-speed train, which stops right at the Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station, touching the major cities of Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples.

The landscape

Mainly hilly and flat near the lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano, Valdichiana Senese has an incredible variety of landscapes with naturalistic value; from the woods surrounding the villages of Cetona, Chianciano Terme, Sarteano and San Casciano dei Bagni, to the historical rural landscape around Trequanda; from the cultivated fields on which ancient historic farms stand, such as in the area between Torrita di Siena and Sinalunga, to the cultivation of olive trees and vines that are lost as far as the eye can see outside the walls of Montepulciano and Montefollonico. Natural and chromatic compositions, wrapped in the typical quiet of the Tuscan countryside, accompany the life of the inhabitants of Valdichiana Senese every day and are the background for all their activities. Just look out the window to find a sense of peace and harmony with nature.

The food

Living well has always gone hand in hand with eating well, and also with drinking well. In Valdichiana Senese the rich gastronomic tradition is combined with the winemaking tradition, whose main protagonist is the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg. 70% made from Sangiovese grapes, the Nobile di Montepulciano has a dry, balanced and persistent flavor, which enhances the robust dishes and products of this territory, first of all the Igp Chianina meat, one of the excellence of Italian cuisine known throughout the world. The temperate climate and the nutritional richness of the soil for centuries have allowed to extract an excellent extra virgin olive oil, widely used raw and in the preparation of traditional recipes, such as sauces for the typical fresh pasta of Valdichiana Senese: pici. Among the typical sauces stands out the sauce with aglione, a gigantic variety of garlic originating in Valdichiana with a sweet flavor. Pecorino di Pienza cheese and Cinta Senese Dop cold cuts complete the basket of flavors. Each of these specialties is available from local producers, directly on their farms, where attention to quality is confirmed by the production of small quantities of product.

Theramal water

The most tangible aspect of well being concept in Valdichiana Senese is represented by the spas. The thermal water of this area has always been used to treat numerous diseases, mainly of the respiratory and intestinal systems. Today its health properties are used in beauty treatments and relaxing experiences in the splendid thermal pools. Each of the three of Valdichiana Senese, located in Montepulciano, Chianciano and San Casciano dei Bagni, offers modern and professional services, also for the family, in a unique landscape setting.

Folklore

The beating heart of this area is in its squares during major events. The population seems to forget the thoughts of everyday life for a few days and plunges themselves into the atmosphere of a party expected for a whole year. Between historical re-enactments, food festivals and cultural appointments events contribute to mark the seasons in Valdichiana Senese with moments of pleasant conviviality and sharing, enriching the time of meaning and the souls of memories.