BelSentiero

Jan’s recommendations for places to visit were spot on, and his knowledge of Tuscany is superb. My family and I have just come back from a fantastic week at BelSentiero. We had all five bedrooms to ourselves, plus the large kitchen, and spent evenings relaxing and playing board games in the beautiful lounge. After sightseeing, we often cooled off in the infinity pool, which looks out over the Val d'Orcia. The villa is beautiful and comfortable, with something for everyone, from my 83-year-old mother to my 13-year-old niece. If you’re planning a family reunion holiday, this is a wonderful place to stay. Thanks so much, Jan, for being such a kind host.

Breakfast by the pool was a highlight, with meats and cheeses, fruit and vegetables, juices, coffee, tea, pastries, yogurt, and cereal. The innkeepers, Renzo & Jan, are friendly, capable, and know the area very well. The villa’s immaculate grounds include a refreshing infinity pool, with wide views across the Orcia valley and the Tuscan towns we wanted to visit, including Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, and San Quirico. The approach is along a beautiful path. BelSentiero made a peaceful, satisfying place to rest between outings. Campiglia D'Orcia is worth a stroll, with a friendly bar, the fantastic Locanda restaurant, a fountain for refilling your water bottle, and an easy climb to the belltower. If you’re up for more, there’s a scenic hike on the old Roman road to the ancient fort. Campotondo is only a few hundred yards away, where you can try locally produced wine and olive oil. This is a great base for exploring Tuscany.

We’re wrapping up a lovely, relaxing stay in the countryside at Jan’s bed and breakfast. The infinity pool was the cleanest, most pristine one I’ve ever swum in, and the view from its edge across the valley is beautiful. From the patio, you can see toward Pienza, about a 25-minute drive away, and Montepulciano, around 35 minutes away. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Breakfast was lovely, and we also had a hosted dinner tonight where we got to chat with the other guests. Jan is friendly and very accommodating. Our room, Rosmarino, was extremely comfortable, with a large bed that would be king-sized in the US and a spacious bathroom with a double shower and bidet. Such a nice stay.

Jan knows the Val d'Orcia inside out and was happy to share tips on culture, restaurants, wine, olive oil, and anything else we wanted to know. We really enjoyed our conversations with him. We spent a week at BelSentiero in August and loved the experience. Jan and Renzo have done a wonderful job renovating the building. Just outside Campiglia d'Orcia in the southern Val d'Orcia, the property has a breathtaking view across the valley toward Pienza. The newly completed infinity pool made the setting even more spectacular. And don’t miss the Tagliere at Renzo's Bar, one of the best we’ve had in a long time. This was one of our best vacations ever.