ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION and ADDITIONAL INFOItaly - South to Siena 2012
TUSCANY: from Montepulciano to Siena - a self-guided walking holiday through a Renaissance landscape
This is the Tuscany that you have always dreamed of. You will walk among the rolling hills of Renaissance paintings, a landscape of blue sky, golden ochres and lush green; from the classic vineyards of Vino Nobile and Brunello to walled medieval and renaissance towns, and visiting superb churches and abbeys. At the end of each day, comfortable, traditional hotels (see 'Accommodation' below). This is a self-guided holiday and everything you need will be sent to you in advance or await you at your first hotel. For an extra fee our local guide can meet you and go over the route with you. Please note that your hotel in Siena is well located in the historic centre.
PRICE
(A) £595.00 per person staying in mixture of 2 and 3 star hotels (single supplement £150.00)
(B) £675.00 per person - staying 3 star hotels throughout except 2 star in Castelnuovo (single supplement £170.00).
INCLUDED
7 nights accommodation with 7 breakfasts. Transfers as noted in programme.
Walking notes and maps and luggage movement from hotel to hotel.
Local emergency back up.
NOT INCLUDED
Transport to Montepulciano and from Siena, meals not mentioned in the programme, drinks with meals, insurance. Dinners can be included on request.
Departure dates
April to end of October - start on the day of your choice.
To book email:
info@worldwalks.com T: (44)
(0)1242 254353
Day 1: Arrive at your hotel in the centre of the medieval walled town of Montepulciano, built on a limestone ridge with marvellous views over the surrounding countryside. Overnight Montepulciano.
Day 2: Montepulciano - Pienza (15kms/9.4miles. Height gain 490m.) This walk is interesting for its varied landscape: from Montepulciano to Monticchiello you walk through countryside with olive groves, vineyards, walnut and fig trees and through typical Mediterranean woods, with holm oaks (evergreen oak 'Quercus Ilex'), heather and broom. From Monticchiello to Pienza you walk on the balcony of Val d'Orcia, a valley among beautiful rolling hills, framed by wheat fields, and occasional dark green pinnacles of cypress. Overnight in the beautiful Renaissance town of Pienza.
Day 3: Pienza - S. Quirico D'Orcia - Bagno Vignoni (14 kms/8.75 miles. 415m) The walk today is classic Tuscany as portrayed in films (The English Patient, Bertolucci's Sleeping Beauty for example), through rolling hills with lines of cypress and hilltop country houses, to the pretty little medieval town of Quirico d'Orcia on the Via Francigena (the old pilgrim route) and on to Bagno Vignoni, famous for its Roman and Renaissance thermal baths. Overnight Bagno Vignoni
Day 4: Bagno Vignoni - S. Antimo (15 kms/8.75 miles. 585m) The walk today takes you through a holm oakwood which separates Bagno Vignoni from Ripa d'Orcia. The area is rich in wild life - wild boar, roebuck deer, fox, badger. On arrival in Sant Antimo visit the beautiful Romanesque abbey - it has been both Benedictine and Guglielmite in its time, and it currently houses a French pre-monstratensian Norbertine) community - built in the 12th century atop foundations that date to Charlemagne in the early 9th century.
Day 5: Sant' Antimo - Montalcino (9.1 kms/6.25 miles. 300 m) From the vineyards and olive groves around the Abbey you walk towards the holm oak wood that cover the hills between the Abbey and Montalcino. From the meadows on the top of the hill, enjoy outstanding views of Val d'Orcia and the extinct volcano of Mt. Amiata (1700 m., located south of St. Antimo). Overnight in the medieval hilltop town of Montalcino, famous for its Fortezza, Brunello red wine and honey.
Day 6: Montalcino - Buonconvento (Pieve a Salti) (18 kms/11.25 miles. 300m) Walk from Montalcino passing through some famous local wine estates such as Baricci and Casato Prime Donne. After 5km the landscape changes and you will notice more meadows for sheep farming, and plots of land for crops like corn, tobacco, wheat and barley. The area is greener than the Val d'Orcia thanks to the river Ombrone. Overnight in the charming small medieval town of Buonconvento on the via Cassia.
Day 7: Buonconvento - Abazzia Di Monte Oliveto Maggiore (13 kms/8.2 miles. 350m) Walk from Buonconvento to the monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Start by walking through the Pieve a Salti estate, a large farm that cultivates mainly alfalfa, corn, and sunflower. Then after the "Podere Olimena" walk through fields and a small mixed wood until you reach the spectacular Crete Sienesi. Views of the Monastery and Chiusure. Transfer to Siena and overnight in your hotel located in the centre of the city.
Day 8: SIENA and departure
Additional options
If you prefer it is possible to omit the walk from Sant Antimo to Montalcino and have a rest day in Montalcino. Price will be the same and a transfer will be arranged. Please ask.
We can also arrange for extra nights along the route - please ask for prices.
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
Level: easy, medium. Terrain: mostly farm tracks along open, rolling hills. Distance: average about 14 kms. per day.
Magical scenery, excellent food and wine, and the historic towns of Siena and Pienza. If you have done this walk before we would like to hear of your personal highlights.
Mail Us
ACCOMMODATION
2 and 3 star hotels:
- Montepulciano (Hotel Marzocco***) http://www.albergoilmarzocco.it
- Pienza (B&B Il Giglio) http://www.wel.it/Welcome/Toscana/Valdorcia/Pienza/Alberghi/Giglio/index.uk.html
- Bagno Vignoni (Hotel Le Terme***) http://www.albergoleterme.it
- Castelnuovo (Locanda Sant'Antimo)
- Montalcino (Hotel Il Giglio***)
- Buonconvento (L'Albergotto B&B or Hotel Roma)
- Siena (Hotel Cannon d'Oro) www.cannondoro.com
6 night 3 star hotels 1 night 2 star - as above except the following:
- Pienza (Piccolo Hotel La Valle) www.pienza.info/piccolohotellavalle.eng.php
- Bagno Vignoni (Hotel Le Terme or Hotel Posta Marcucci) http://www.hotelpostamarcucci.it
- Montalcino (Hotel Il Giglio or Hotel dei Capitani) http://www.deicapitani.it
- Buonconvento (Hotel Ghibellino) www.hotelghibellino.it or Pieve A Salti http://www.pieveasalti.it
- Siena (Chiusarelli) www.chiusarelli.com
NATURE
Cypress, holm oak, pseudo acacia, broom, wild rose, helicrysus.
Agriculture: olive tree, vine, chestnut. Wildlife: wild boar, fox, porcupine, hedgehog, badger, buzzard, bee eater, and many other songbirds
FOOD AND DRINK
Try the pici or pinci, a hard wheat home-made kind of pasta traditional to southern Tuscany with aglione (garlic) or with porcini mushrooms; the famous ribollita, a bread and vegetables soup; the Pecorino di Pienza (sheep cheese); and wild boar cooked in a variety of ways.
This is a wonderful area for red wine lovers - here you have the superb "Nobile di Montepulciano" famous since the Renaissance, and the outstanding "Brunello di Montalcino". Try the Cantucci di Siena (hardbiscuits for dipping in vin' santo (sacred wine), a sweet liquorous wine); and Ricciarelli (soft almond biscuits).
GETTING THERE
Nearest airports: Florence//Pisa/Rome. It is an easy train journey from all three cities: It takes about 1h30 minutes by train from Rome or 2 hours from Pisa to Chiusi from where you may take a taxi to your hotel in Montepulciano.
Nearest railway station: Chiusi
WHAT TO TAKE:
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, swimming costume, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, rainproof, fleece, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.
INSURANCE We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
info@worldwalks.comT: (44)
(0)1242 254353