Val d’Orcia

Last Wednesday was the field trip to Montepulciano and Pienza. For some reason I feel like the whole point of  this trip was for the Lasagna that was served at lunch. But it was great anyhow.

During the morning the fog was extremely dense. Dense enough that the trip to Montepulciano was a reduced to the church of Madonna di San Biagio designed by Antonio da Sangallo in 1518. We stayed there for about an hour enjoying the renaissance style church and the opportunity to sketch. Oh and the fog.

After leaving Montepulciano, the fog began to lift. And the view of the valley was breathtaking. The Val d’Orcia is a world heritage site. Which basically means that it cannot be changed from the state that it is currently in to preserve its charm. Arriving in Pienza, a small village, we walked from our bus, along a promenade overlooking the stunning view of the valley. Then we had lunch. Three types of bread. Two slabs of  lasagna made of pecorino cheese. Salad. Two sausages. Roast beef. Chicken. French Fries. Tiramisu. And six glasses of Vino.

Lunch made for a good day. Afterwards I went and found some gelato and a place on the ledge overlooking the valley.

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