Bagno Vignoni is a romantic location, surrounded by medieval castles and villages, with its best feature being the Spa Pool which is situated and occupies most of the square (Piazza).
It is surely the only place in the world that has a “pool” in the square! The waters that flow into the baths are from a 15th century spring.
The spa, already used by Etruscans and Romans, was also popular with Lorenzo the Magnificent and Pope Pio II Piccolomini, who actually had a villa built in the mid 15th century.  Bagno Vignoni is in the centre of Val’Orcia, near Pienza, Montalcino and Siena, in Tuscany.

Montepulciano

A small town with certain Renaissance aspects but definately of Etruscan origin like most parts of the area.  Situated in the hills between the Valdichiana and Val d’Orcia,  first  a medieval fortress then a free borough, Montepulciano is commonly known as the “Perla del ‘500”, (pearl of the 16th century).  Following its long main street for about 1.5km, where you emerge in the Piazza Grande amidst many prestigous buildings such as the Duomo, Town Hall, Avignonesi, Cocconi Contucci Tarugi and Cervini.  Also of interest the temple of St.Biagio and a festival of great importance the “Bravio delle Botti”, which takes place on the last Sunday of August, in honour of the patron saint of Montepulciano.  Basically it means the contestants have to pust a large barrel weighing 80kg up the main street to Piazza Grande.

Pienza

The story of Pienza is strictly tied to its founder Pope Pio II – born Enea Silvio Piccolomini in 1405 of noble parents.  Pienza was once a fortified village, well-known by the Romans and even before inhabited by primitives who left behind traces referring to the Stone Age and Bronze Age.
Enea Silvio Piccolomini, refined humanist, who became Pope Pio II, wanted his birthplace of Pienza to become a town that would remember his papacy.  He didn’t want any ordinary town but one that would become well-known like its neighbouring Siena, and which  was of great importance during the Renaissance period.