There are places, as in the Val d’Orcia, where every breath of wind seems to speak of love, where romance surrounds the hidden nooks and crannies of villages and the grand vistas of nature; it hovers in the vapors of the thermal baths — the realm of rest and well-being — and fills every glass of wine as well as every traditional dish.
It is a romantic and benevolent land, cloaked in an elegance that envelops like an embrace, where it is easy to fall in love amidst the fairy forests and sunsets over the hills, or along quaint alleys with sentimental names. The gardens of villas that often conceal stories of distant aristocratic love affairs are perfect for strolling side by side along manicured and fragrant avenues, while the white roads winding through the hills invite one to launch into a new adventure, whether it be an exploration, a novel experience, or perhaps the beginning of a whole life together.
The Val d’Orcia, remembered in the verses of poets, is a destination for dreamers and has been, over the years, the stage for profound love stories. Some of these, very famous and enthralling, have come to life on the silver screen while others – less well known but just as exciting – have taken place in reality: traces of them can be found in some exceptionally beautiful places, such as historic mansions and parks that can still be visited.
But love, here, is also respect and care for the land, a feeling of belonging that is reflected in the care of the landscape and the villages, the small churches that are scattered across the countryside. It is the nostalgia of those who, far away, cannot wait to return. To love yourself in Val d’Orcia is also to love this land and discover it in a sustainable way, traveling slow and enjoying every moment, as a couple or, why not, in the company of only your own thoughts.
