We came away for a little snippet of relaxation, it was the other half’s birthday and his sister had come to stay for a week so we decided to take him on a magical mystery tour and started off in Bagno Vignoni with a population of only 300 people.

A medieval village in San Quirico d’Orcia, situated on a hill above the Val d’Orcia. It had been recommended to me by a friend as a romantic destination well known for its hot spring in the main piazza of the village. The old buildings overlook the spring and there’s a myriad of shops and bars to be found as you walk through the little streets.

We weren’t able to book a room in the hotel right on the terme, the Albergo Le Terme, but it turned out better for us, as we got to visit and stay in Pienza instead. But we did stop for a drink here and even though it was quite cold we couldn’t not sit outside and enjoy the view!

We then moved on to the gorgeous Pienza. What to say about this beautiful little area in Tuscany…….it’s divine!

In 1996, UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site, and in 2004 the entire valley, the Val d’Orcia, was included on the list of UNESCO‘s World Cultural Landscapes.

Pienza is now one of my favourite small towns in Tuscany. It’s got palazzos, a cathedral, a viewpoint for the sunset over Val d’Orcia. And not to mention the shops! The shops! Artisan shops, cheese shops, clothes shops, furniture and homeware shops, an abundance of shops in such a small town.

We could have spent a small fortune just there. For the evenings there are osterias, bars and restaurants round every little corner in every little piazza.

We stayed in a cute B&B run by one of 2 sisters. Il Giglio. I’d say it’s Italian chic style. The other sister has an apartment rental round the corner and I’d suggest checking this one out too. Residenza d’Epoca La Rosa.

Our room had a shower and my sister-in-laws a shower and a bath.

The acoustics weren’t great in our room a even though we were high up, there was still another floor above us, but earplugs were provided, and also eye masks as some of the shutters were ancient too! Breakfast was brought up by the host and the rooms had every amenity you would need for a short stay.

A lot of stairs to climb to our rooms so this one is not for those who aren’t able to climb.

We spent our one night eating at a restaurant called Idylliam, at the edge of the town where you would go to the viewpoint. Delicious but I’m sure any of the places here are just as delicious!

Twenty four hours was not enough time here but we will return as it’s also a great base to visit the wider area of Val D’Orcia .