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The Tuscan landscape of the Val d’Orcia will warm your heart like a classic photograph as you penetrate its natural beauty. You are in for a thrilling ride along steep valleys, dense forests, rivers and the legendary “badlands” eroded clay slopes. Walk by picturesque farmhouses nestled amidst olive groves, vineyards and fig trees on your way to the hot spring hamlet of Bagno Vignoni and the heavenly Renaissance city of Pienza. You shall visit captivating palaces, Romanesque churches, thermal baths, and prestigious wineries serving the divine local red “Brunello”. Soaring up high on invigorating hilltop towns, you’ll revel in delight.
The tips of Valentina:
- Visit the natural, artistic and cultural treasures of the Val d’Orcia, on the UNESCO heritage list;
- Walk through streets of incredibly well preserved medieval and renaissance villages and hilltop towns;
- Talk with friendly Tuscan and taste delicious regional culinary specialties;
| Day 1 | Arrive in Montepulciano | |
Your Tuscan walking begin in the medieval and Renaissance hill town of Montepulciano. Montepulciano is easily accessible via Rome, Florence or Pisa; catch the train to Chiusi then take a local bus or a short taxi ride to Montepulciano. Admire the impressive views over the rolling Tuscan landscape that you’ll be exploring over the next week. |
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| Day 2 | Walk from Montepulciano to Pienza (15 km) | |
Starting from the San Biagio church you follow a quiet track to the peaceful village of Montichiello where you can pause for a relaxed lunch or perhaps just a quick cappuccino before continuing to Pienza. Pienza is a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique Renaissance architecture. The town is well known for its delicious pecorino cheese and truffles; this is a grat spot to indulge in Tuscan treats! |
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| Day 3 | Pienza to Bagno Vignoni (15 km) | |
Today you wander through a beautiful region of rolling hills, oak woods, cypress trees and pretty villages. The thermal baths complex at Bagno Vignoni is the perfect location to spend the afternoon soaking up the Tuscan warmth. |
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| Day 4 | Walk from Bagno Vignoni to Sant’Antimo and transfer to Montalcino (13km) | |
A more challenging but rewarding day’s walking awaits as you follow dry riverbeds through a fairly wild environment to Sant’Antimo, an isolated abbey situated in a pastoral landscape. After exploring the abbey you will be transferred to Montalcino. |
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| Day 5 | Walk from Montalcino to Buonconvento (22 km) | |
A hearty breakfast will set you up for a long but enjoy day of walking in the famous Brunello wine region, passing vineyards and olive groves, then again entering the beautiful Tuscan landscape of the Crete Senesi and Buonconvento. |
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| Day 6 | Loop walk to Monte Oliveto Maggiore Monastery (10,5 km) | |
A short day which is full of ups and downs, beginning with a transfer to the monastery at Monte Oliveto Maggiore, an impressive abbey built of red brick and set in the rugged Tuscan landscape. After an early visit to avoid the crowd, walk back to Buonconvento. |
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| Day 7 | Transfer to Monteroni d'Arbia and walk to Arbia, train to Siena (11 km) | |
Today you will start with a short transfer to Monteroni d'Arbia from where you start the walk to Arbia. Hike through a landscape of rolling hills and small hamlets as the unmistakable sight of Siena appears in the distance. It's an easy and scenic walk on dirt roads through the Crete Senesi. Along the route you can stop and visit the San Fabiano castle. A train will then take you from Arbia to Siena. |
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| Day 8 | Depart from Siena | |
Last day included. Tour ends after breakfast. |
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Nights in double rooms in 3/4* hotels and agritourismi with breakfast
Hotel Il Duomo is housed in a 16th-century building in Montepulciano's historical centre. It has not so spacious rooms, but clean and well-finished with satellite TV, minibar, private bathroom, free Wifi and heating. Breakfast is both sweet and savoury and during spring and summer it's served outside. Staff is welcoming and courteous.
Il Giglio B&B is located in the historic centre of Pienza set in a Renaissance building and it offers classic Tuscan rooms with terracotta floors, period furniture and exposed wood-beamed ceilings. Rooms are welcoming and spacious with private bathroom, TV, free Wifi, electric kettle, fridge. Breakfast it's served in your room both savoury and sweet. Staff is welcoming and helpful.
B&B Locanda del Loggiato is housed in a 14th century building in Bagno Vignoni, one of the most magical spa villages in Tuscany. Rooms are elegant, well-finished and comfortable, each one with own furnitures. These have free Wifi, own heating/air conditioning, terracotta flooring and old wooden beams. Staff is courteous and welcoming.
B&B Le Scalette di Piazza is a welcoming B&B that offers 5 rooms well-finished with private bathroom, fridge, TV, free Wifi, independent heating/air conditioning. Breakfast is served in common area with both savoury and sweet dishes. Owners are helpful and welcoming.
This Farmhouse is nestled in the rolling hills of Siena housed in an old tuscany building of the 19th century outside Buonconvento. Rooms are well-furnished with rustic style, not so spacious, but clean and comfortable with TV, minibar, air-conditioning. The restaurant is open at dinner and it offers biological tuscany cuisine. Staff is helpful.
The three-star Hotel Chiusarelli is located in the city centre of Siena, finds its natural setting in a neoclassical villa built around 1870. The structure has been completely renovated in 2013. Rooms are spacious and clean and these offer bathroom with shower or bathtub, hairdryer, air conditioning/heater, telephone, Wi-Fi, TV with Sky Vision. The Hotel has no lift. High quality breakfast.
From Florence airport (FLR), take the bus to Santa Maria Novella train station and then a train to Chiusi Chianciano (and then take the bus to Montepulciano.
From Pisa airport (PSA), take the train to Chiusi Chianciano (with 2/3 changes, depending on time.
On departure from Siena reach the train station.
Check train timetables on www.trenitalia.com.
GPS tracks are available on request.
What is included:
· Nights in double rooms in 3/4* hotels and agritourismi with breakfast
· 2 dinner at Buonconvento
· luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
. Transfer Castelnuovo dell'Abate-Montalcino
· Transfer Buonconvento-Monte Oliveto Maggiore,
. Transfer Buonconvento-Monteroni and luggage to Siena
· maps and detailed description of the itinerary
· 24h phone assistance
What is not included:
· Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
· lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated.
· visits and entrance fees - tips
· personal expense
· possible sojourn taxes
· everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section
Optional Services:
These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour
· Single room supplement
· Half Board supplement
· Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.