This town in the Orcia Valley was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The perfectly preserved historic town centre was commissioned in the fifteenth century by Pope Pius II, who wished to transform his birthplace into a papal residence in true Renaissance style. Now considered a symbol of the Renaissance, Pienza is home to countless boutiques selling traditional crafts and foods, where you can sample the town’s famous cheeses, including pecorino aged in barriques. An essential stop when exploring the Orcia Valley, despite its popularity with the tourists!