Experiencing fall in Valdichiana Senese

Visiting Valdichiana Senese in fall is like living in a timeless fairytale, with the villages becoming increasingly quiet and the atmosphere more romantic. Walking through the typical little lanes you’ll see incredible views and feel such a sense of tranquility that you won’t want to return home. Then, if you decide to visit this corner of Tuscany between the end of September and the beginning of October, you’ll find yourself immersed in an unusual festive climate. In this period, in fact, is not so rare to come across fairs or events focused on the appreciation of local products, such as the Festa dell’Olio (Olive Oil Festival) in Trequanda or the Festa dell’Uva e del Vino (Grapes and Wine Festival) in Chiusi.

Especially in recent years, the more favorable fall climate makes this the perfect season for an outdoor excursion. If you love uncontaminated nature, then the Pietraporciana Nature Reserve is the best choice. Located between Chianciano Terme and Sarteano, its distinctive feature is a low-altitude beech forest. If, on the other hand, you prefer the tranquility of a lake, a visit to the two lakes in the area is a must: the Montepulciano Lake and the Chiusi Lake. True oases of peace, the two lakes will give you unprecedented emotions at sunset, when water and sky merge to become one with the surrounding landscape.

Some people love nature and others prefer a holiday with a more “cultural” flavor. In Valdichiana Senese there’s something for everyone. Among the various options it is possible to venture into the underground world, undoubtedly an unusual but fascinating choice. First, you will explore the Sentiero dell’Acqua (Water Trail) in Sinalunga and then, moving from water to wine, you will come to Montepulciano, where you can get to know the centuries-old story of one of the eight historical cellars in the town. Lastly, you will move on to Chiusi, where you can explore the marvels of the Underground City. Let yourself be carried away by the curiosity of the unknown, for a first-hand experience of thousands of years of history in the area and all the secrets it conceals.

The Valdichiana Senese has a culinary tradition waiting to be tasted all year round. However, fall is the time when this land offers its best products, first and foremost extra virgin olive oil, a real elixir with a slightly bitter and spicy taste. One of the most popular products is the truffle, a hidden gem that goes well with traditional dishes, giving them a more refined flavor. Lastly, an evergreen product of Tuscany and also of Valdichiana Senese is wine, always present at every meal, especially Vino Nobile of Montepulciano.