FALL ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE

Driving through the countryside of Tuscany is like a cinematic dream. And while I believe Florence is an essential stop for admiring Italy's beauty, venturing outside the city offers so much breathtaking scenery to enjoy. Green rolling hills, olive groves, cypress-lined roads and old stone villages fill the landscape. Here are the places that my friend and I visited during our fall road trip through Tuscany.

San Gimignano

The historic center of this walled Medieval city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its 14th century towers. 13 of originally 72 are still standing today. Similar to other towns in the region, its architecture is characterized by beige and brown stone buildings. In addition, famous local products include saffron, white wine (Vernaccia di San Gimignano), and cured meats. We climbed Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in the city, to admire the views. We also tasted delicious gelato from Gelateria Dondoli (awarded the title of World's Best Gelato!).

Abbazia di San Galgano

This 13th century Gothic monastery is located in the city of Chiusdino and is surrounded by nature. It is most famous for the roofless church, with the ruins surviving damages over time. We visited the complex at twilight one evening, as well as the next morning. It was lovely to see the changes in light at different times of day. We also hiked to the Hermitage of Monte Siepi. The nearby hilltop chapel houses the original sword in the stone, made famous by English legends.

Pienza

Pienza, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Val d'Orcia, is a quaint and picturesque little town. We admired the Renaissance architecture and green hills of the Tuscan countryside. The romantic street names, like "street of the kiss" and "way of love", add charm to this adorable village. We stayed at the peaceful country house of Locanda Vesuna, an accommodation surrounded by gorgeous nature views.

Montepulciano

You can easily lose yourself in the historic surroundings of this walled Medieval city. Wineries offer free wine tastings and underground cellar tours. Many restaurants cooking traditional Tuscan fare and small shops with artisan souvenirs on display fill these steep and winding streets. As we wandered through the city at sunset, we watched the warm orange and yellow tones cover the landscape. Some sites to check out here are Piazza Grande and the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio.

Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta

The small cypress-framed chapel sits in the fields between Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia. It is one of the most photographed places in the region. According to 16th century legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherdess in the exact spot of the chapel.

Val d'Orcia

The iconic Tuscan countryside is comprised of lush fields, soft rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, farms and villages. It is the perfect setting for a picturesque drive! Many famous cities in the region reside in this valley, including Pienza and Montepulciano. Top quality local products to try during your visit are pecorino (sheep's milk) cheese, Vino Nobile red wine, olive oil and truffles.