The south-east of Tuscany is characterized by an extraordinarily rich cultural and artistic heritage and by a beautiful landscape, which even as far back as etruscan times contained numerous small towns full of life and with a sophisticated culture; in this area the hilly tuscan landscape, with its typical small villages perched at the top of the hills, overlooks large fertile valleys with abundant water, and offers a mild climate, and springs of health-giving thermal waters. And right where the valleys called Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana meet, lies Montepulciano: with its etruscan origins, built on a narrow crest of limestone, 600 metres above sea level, it was called the "Pearl of the 1500s" due to the stateliness and beauty of its old town centre, full of beautiful old buildings and renaissance churches, built by the best architects of the time. This splendid old town has many interesting cultural events (such as the arts festival Cantiere Internazionale dell'Arte and the old folk traditions such as Il Bruscello and Il Bravio delle Botti), and has maintained intact all of its ancient beauty. Just 3 kms from Montepulciano, you leave the main road and take a short untarred road up a small hill where stands Villa La Quercia. The original building started in the 1600s as a granary, and was transformed into an elegant villa at the beginning of the 1900s by a well-known architect. Lying at the heart of an active farm of 25 hectacres producing wine and olive-oil, it offers a splendid view over the Val di Chiana, both from the large panoramic terrace and from the lovely garden, with its 10x5m swimming-pool. The villa, which has recently been renovated, is comfortably furnished, alternating elegant antique pieces with rustic furniture, which combines to give a warm, relaxed family atmosphere. Due to its ideal position it is a perfect base for comfortable trips to all of the interesting art cities in Tuscany, in nearby Umbria and in the northern part of Lazio, not forgetting some of the best-known tuscan thermal spring towns, all of which can easily be reached from here (Chianciano, S. Albino, Bagni San Filippo, Bagno Vignoni and San Casciano dei Bagni); there are wonderful walks or bike-rides in the area, and here you can enjoy the prestigious wines produced in this area, such as the "Vino Nobile", one of the most sought-after tuscan wines at an international level. The owners, who will make you feel very welcome, live at the weekends and in the summer months in a farmhouse a short distance away.
