The Odyssey of Sage

Tuscany, Italy - Day 4: AM
Pienza

I was feeling the best in Pienza. And it was a perfect spring day with lots of sun. Pienza rises on a hill, dominating the Val d'Orcia and Monte Amiata, but the streets of this pretty little town are mostly flat and quiet which I liked better than such hilltop towns as San Gimignano, Siena, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. Best of all, it gives the most stupendous 360 degree view of the Val d'Orcia that I could appreciate even from my hotel room.

This Renaissance town was re-built in the 15th century by a native son who had become Pope Pius II pursuing the utopian ideal city. I found it very compact and neat. The town’s main street named Corso Rossellino is only 400 Meters long.

The location of my hotel location was also very ideal for me with an easy access to the pretty market square called Piazza Pio II and the Duomo as well as the Palazzo Piccolomini where the Piccolomini family lived. As it happened, the Pienza flower show "Pienza e i fiori" was taking place while I was there. There were full of azaleas on display at the Piazza Pio II.

I then wandered along the Via del Casello. This path had a spectacular panoramic view of the Val d'Orcia. Breathtaking!

And in the afternoon, I trekked down the hill to the great green Val d'Orcia! To me continued for Day 4: PM


Prev Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next Page
Tuscany, Italy - Day 4: AM Pienza I was feeling the best in Pienza. And it was a perfect spring day with lots of sun. Pienza rises on a hill, dominating the Val d'Orcia and Monte Amiata, but the streets of this pretty little town are mostly flat and quiet which I liked better than such hilltop towns as San Gimignano, Siena, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. Best of all, it gives the most stupendous 360 degree view of the Val d'Orcia that I could appreciate even from my hotel room.
This Renaissance town was re-built in the 15th century by a native son who had become Pope Pius II pursuing the utopian ideal city. I found it very compact and neat. The town’s main street named Corso Rossellino is only 400 Meters long. The location of my hotel location was also very ideal for me with an easy access to the pretty market square called Piazza Pio II and the Duomo as well as the Palazzo Piccolomini where the Piccolomini family lived. As it happened, the Pienza flower show "Pienza e i fiori" was taking place while I was there. There were full of azaleas on display at the Piazza Pio II.

Pienza is famous for its Pecorino cheese and I found two types of Pecorino; Semi-Stagionato (half-matured) and Fresco (fresh) at a cheese store where smelt very nice. And at Delizie Della Valdorcia, there were wide variety of such Tuscan food recipes as pastas and sausages.

I then wandered along the Via del Casello. This path had a spectacular panoramic view of the Val d'Orcia. Breathtaking!

And in the afternoon, I trekked down the hill to the great green Val d'Orcia! To me continued for Day 4: PM
Prev Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next Page
Travelogs