Inside Val d’Orcia: a local’s guide to the Tuscan countryside

Originally from England, Abby Jones, owner of Knight Frank partner Property Queen SRL, has lived in the Val d’Orcia region for over 26 years. She offers clients a distinctive perspective, combining deep local expertise with a clear understanding of international buyers’ expectations.

Here, she shares what makes this picturesque and carefully protected landscape so special, along with insights into what international buyers seek when searching for their ideal Italian countryside home.

How would you describe the lifestyle and community to someone discovering the region for the first time?

The Val d’Orcia is perhaps one of the most quintessential representations of Tuscan life, enchanting with its rolling landscapes, picture-perfect hilltop towns and characterful farmhouses. Alongside its visual beauty, the region is known for its exceptional local produce, from celebrated wines to prized specialities such as truffles, hand-harvested saffron and some of Italy’s finest olive oil. There is much to explore, but even more opportunity to slow down, unwind and fully appreciate the surroundings.

One of the defining qualities of the Val d’Orcia is its remarkable sense of permanence. The scenery shifts gently with the seasons, but fundamentally it remains unchanged, the only movement often being the light across the hills and the shadows cast by the cypress trees. Its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site ensures that development is strictly controlled, preserving the integrity of the landscape. While properties may change hands and restaurants pass through generations, the area has retained an authenticity that feels increasingly rare, almost suspended in time.