Yesterday on the way home from Siena, we took the long way to return to Orvieto. The sun was still on our side, the boys were in good spirits after a relaxing day in Siena, so we hoped that an extra hour in the car wouldn’t be a big mistake, in order to drive through the Val D’Orcia area of Tuscany. This was my first time really seeing Tuscany. Though Florence is in Tuscany, it’s a city, so you don’t get that Tuscan rolling-hills-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see flavor that you imagine when you picture the place. (As a reader pointed out, it looks like that scene in the movie Gladiator–and upon further googling I discovered that indeed it is!). 
Driving through here and seeing the fields of gold (Steve started singing Sting while driving, of course.) with the silhouettes of villas scattered about (fewer than you’d think), the long pathways lined with cypress trees, and the complete serenity that it begs you to surrender to, I wondered if I could leave it all behind and move here. There are certain places that force that question. This was one of them. Utterly beautiful. Well worth a drive through, if you decide to rent a car in Italy. Have a picnic along, a blanket to spread, and a completely empty itinerary. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
The boys appreciated the few stops we took. It was too beautiful to drive right through. We were there when the sun was setting and I would absolutely declare that the very best time to drive through. They ran up and down this long drive and, like little boys would, threw little rocks in the air over and over.
The boys are wearing my very favorite, Mini Boden Breton stripes from Nordstrom (this top is down to $10.20 right now! And would you look at how sweet this is.). They’re thick, beautifully made, and will last long beyond these two growing out of them. That’s probably my favorite part of Mini Boden. Their pieces are made to be handed down. And with Nordstrom free shipping and incredible return policy, it just sweetens the deal.
Here’s some more of my Mini Boden favorites and a few other favorite kid pieces available at Nordstrom.
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This post is sponsored by Nordstrom. Thank you so much for reading!
holy crap. these pictures! frames for sure. this looks so beautiful!
xo, brittany
summer embroidery favorites on my blog today
http://www.notablob.com
Just gorgeous…can I ask what camera you use?
We have just returned from Tuscany with my husband and 16 month old…time in Florence and Montepulciano for a wedding – I can’t believe I forgot to check out your blog for hints and tips, we’ll just have to go back….!!
canon 5d mark ii! hope you had a wonderful time!!
And what do you use for a lens? These photos are gorgeous.
these were all taken with the 24-70! but honestly it’s mostly the light being just right. it’s the same lens i always use and they’re not always this magic!
So beautiful! Do you remember the name of the road you traveled on? We are heading that way in august and will be driving from Florence to Montepulciano one afternoon. Would love to repeat this drive…
SP438 from Siena to Asciano.
My friend Sylvia says it’s perfect for where you’re going and you should also stop in Pienza.
Thank you!!
The last picture is the cutest. Tops the post off delightfully!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Beautiful pictures of the boys!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
These pictures are stunning and your subjects are the cutest ever!!! LOVE following your trip there, it needs to go on my bucket list for sure!!
Oh this takes me right back to Tuscany and those rolling hills! When we went in 2005 we were there in August and there were the most gorgeous sunflower fields! So glad you got to check out Siena! Now go to San Gimignano, DO IT! You wont regret it 😉
That sunlight on the fifth pictures is especially beautiful – I could almost feel it warming my face 😉 And the boys (in those outfits) are just adorable.
Fantastic pics. I’m planning a sabbatical next year and your pictures and stories are making me realize that though I want to travel as much as possible, some of it needs to be staying in one place, albeit somewhere this beautiful and removed from our daily life!
Sorry to also say, your links to the boys clothes aren’t working.
Beautiful photos. What lens did you use to capture the boys in this gorgeous evening light?
these were with my 24-70 lens.
So beautiful — all of it — the scenery, the boys, the light OMG THE LIGHT. And I’m with Brittany — I hope you have about sixteen frames because these are all amazing. So happy you guys got out to the countryside in Tuscany (when I was in Florence, I remember thinking, “If only we had another week — I’d go out to the country in a second!”).