“La Dolce Vita” is at home in Sarteano, where time slips slowly by with an authentic feel. The people who live here or who choose to visit are well aware of it. Now, the Canadian traveller Eugene Levy (famous for American Pie and much more) has discovered it as he hosts the 2nd season of his successful series “The Reluctant Traveller” on Apple TV.

During his grand tour of Europe, he also ventured into Tuscany in Italy looking for a place that suited his tastes that he could introduce with his characteristic irony. After a stop-over in extraordinary, but chaotic Florence, he moved on to Val d’Orcia, where he found peace and quiet among the hills of Sarteano and in the hamlet of Castigliocello del Trinoro, surrounded by wonderful landscapes and ancient, people-friendly, restored villages. His exclamation of “A marvellous absence of crowds!” sums it up in a nutshell.

The architecture blends smoothly with the landscape. “It’s impressive”, Eugene exclaims. “This place makes me feel less “reluctant” to travel! The life style here involves all your senses.”

Eugene allows himself to be transported by the soul of these places and sets off on a truffle hunt. He practices harvesting the grapes and discovers the true meaning of conviviality… but we can’t tell you any more!

In Val d’Orcia to discover hidden gems and adventure into the world of food and wine

Every journey in The Reluctant Traveller is marked by scepticism and surprise, as you’d expect from the title. Episode after episode, Eugene Levy gives way to a slower pace of life and discovers that this is actually what he was looking for. On his arrival in Tuscany he wonders:” How do Italians live like this? What’s their secret?”

Sarteano is living proof of that “Dolce Vita”, so well expressed by the documentary.

This has given the citizens of Sarteano a sense of pride and satisfaction, which represents the true spirit of the quality of life that permeates the village.

An opportunity to return to nature, follow its rhythm and enjoy a healthy, relaxing life style. The boundaries of the Val d’Orcia are a soft blend of unique colours that are rooted deeply in the mysterious Etruscan civilisation and are reflected in the towns and villages in its hills and flat landscapes. Everything speaks of wellbeing, with mindful consumption and quality of life from farm to table.