The Silent Summer of the Valdichiana Senese

A season that tastes of earth, scents and colors

“Summer” does not mean the same thing everywhere.

In Provence, summer arrives with lavender.
On the Amalfi Coast, with the blue of the sea and boats beneath the cliffs.
In big cities, it often arrives with the heat on the asphalt, crowded streets, and the noise growing louder.

The summer of scents and flavors

Summer in the Valdichiana Senese, instead, arrives slowly and quietly, speaking to its inhabitants through colors, scents and flavors.

It does not do so with loud noises. It does so with the countryside changing tone, with tulips in a thousand colors, with windows left open and, in the evening, releasing the classic aromas of “grandma’s dinner” that fill the alleyways.

It does so with squares filling up again in the evening, with tables outside local restaurants and cafés, and with village festivals and food fairs.

It is a quieter summer than that of the great crowded destinations. Not because there is nothing to do, but because here the rhythm is different: light, easygoing, carefree.

A place born from the land

The common thread that unites this territory always remains the same: its relationship with the land.

Summer in Valdichiana can, in fact, also be recognized through flavors and scents: handmade pici, aglione della Valdichiana, extra virgin olive oil, honey, and local wines. These are elements that seem simple only at first glance, yet they are able to tell stories of centuries-old traditions.

4 ideas for a summer in Valdichiana

If you want to experience this season without simply observing it from afar, there are several ways to do so.
You can choose a romantic getaway for two, for example, by enjoying a green and sustainable experience, with a stay in an eco-friendly accommodation, a picnic on the grass with local products, and a visit to a winery in Montepulciano: Green and romantic getaway in the Valdichiana Senese

Those looking for a true adventure and, at the same time, an escape from the terrible summer heat, can choose to enjoy a long weekend (perfect for groups of friends) combining a trekking route among the ancient Mills of Sarteano with the refreshing thermal waters of Chianciano Terme: Trekking among ancient Mills in Sarteano and regenerating waters in Chianciano Terme

For those who feel like discovering something different, craft beer can also become a lovely (and refreshing) summer surprise. In a territory often told through wine, visiting a local brewery is a great way to discover another, less predictable side of the area: Tour of a brewery and craft beer tasting in Tuscany

Another way to visit Valdichiana is on the back of a trusted companion. The horseback ride is suitable for everyone: adults and children, experienced riders and first-timers alike. You cross country paths, vineyards and cultivated fields, with the right amount of time to look around. And at the end, a Tuscan picnic with typical local products: Horseback ride with Tuscan picnic in Valdichiana

A unique beauty

The Valdichiana Senese does not try to resemble other places.

It does not have the sea of the Amalfi Coast, it does not have the purple fields of Provence, it does not have the summer chaos of cities under siege. It has something else, something intangible yet concrete, striking but never ostentatious, something you can pass through, experience, brush against, but never possess.

And perhaps this is precisely the best way to experience summer around here: not by shouting, but by listening and learning to read the details of what surrounds you.