Treasure hunt in Val D'Orcia: an unforgettable experience with Barilla
Tucked away in the undulating hills of Tuscany lies a land of extraordinary beauty and tradition. While visitors flock to Florence and other famous cities, the Val D'Orcia remains a bit of a hidden gem. So when Barilla reached out for a team building experience that would connect their people to the core values of quality, sustainability and tradition, we knew Val D'Orcia was the perfect setting.
Tuscan magic and tuscan flavours
Over two exciting days in spring, we led Barilla's team on a treasure hunt across three iconic towns - San Quirico D'Orcia, Pienza and Montepulciano. Divided into four teams, they completed missions at each location to uncover the area's unique local culture, history and gastronomy. The missions brought out the spirit of playful curiosity in the participants. At the same time, they gained deeper insights into how these time-honoured traditions shape the landscape and communities. Our clients were visibly energised by this hands-on exploration.
One highlight was discovering how the hilly terrain and climate enable shepherds in this region to produce the famous Pecorino di Pienza - one of Italy's most prized cheeses. We toured a dairy farm to see the cheesemaking process first-hand, as part of our exploration of the territory. The participants appreciated how the farmers balance innovation with tradition to create an artisanal product sustainably: it was extremely valuable, for the employees of such a prestigious food company, to learn about this specific gastronomic excellence first hand. And we also made sure they could taste the fruits of this labour! At every location, we partnered with local food producers to provide samplings paired with great local wines. For many clients, it was a revelation that small hill towns could offer such an abundance of sensational flavours.
Art, gastronomy and Italian excellence
Beyond gastronomy, the teams uncovered how Val D'Orcia's beauty has inspired great artists through the ages. And we are not just talking about Renaissance painters: these landscapes formed the backdrop for classic films like Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet, Ridley Scott's Gladiator and the Twilight sequel New Moon.
As the sun set on the final day, the teams gathered amidst Pienza's medieval architecture to share their discoveries. There was a great sense of accomplishment at having uncovered so many hidden treasures!
Our treasure hunt in Val d’Orcia was a memorable success
Months later, the clients still reminisce fondly about this experience: it engaged them emotionally through sensory pleasures, fun challenges and camaraderie. At the same time, it stimulated them intellectually by connecting Barilla's values to the territory's living traditions. We couldn't ask for better proof that our approach works! When team building brings people together to gain new perspectives in an enjoyable way, they form deeper bonds as a group, which sets them up for even greater collaboration and innovation.
If you're looking to inspire your team, why not escape the ordinary? Contact us to discover Italy's hidden treasures while driving your business forward. Our team will handcraft an adventure that aligns perfectly with your brand values. Just as we did for Barilla, we can reveal your team's untapped potential for success.