SloWays • Weekend on Via Francigena, from Siena to Buonconvento

Would you like to walk in the middle of postcard-like scenario, sampling some of the best Via Francigena has to offer, just in three days?

In the first part of this journey you will walk along the legendary strade bianche ("white roads", dirt roads) of Siena for kilometres and kilometres, crossing the Val d’Arbia and the Val d’Orcia, icons of the Tuscan landscape.

You will start from Siena, where you should not miss local dishes such as Pici or Panforte: from there, you will walk through a timeless path through the Tuscan countryside, like the views you will encounter ranges from the lunar landscape of the Crete Senesi, fortified villages and endless green hills, ending your journey in the quiet streets of Buonconvento, gateway of Val d'Orcia: add an extra night in this village if you want to discover why its name means "happy and fortunate place".

Route

Day 1: Siena

Day 2: From Siena to Lucignano, 21 km

Day 3: Da Lucignano a Buonconvento, 13,8 km

Day 1: Siena

Your journey will start in Siena, one of the most beautiful towns along the Francigena, famous for its palio: you will be able to spend the day walking through its paved streets, looking for coats-of-arms on the walls of the contrade, or climbing the Torre del Mangia to enjoy a unique view over the roofs of the town; not to be missed is a visit of the duomo, which will impress you with its amazing black and white columns. If you are lucky you will be able to witness a festival in one of the contradas, and see the work of the skilled flag-throwers, before sitting down at a table in Piazza del Campo to enjoy a plate of pici all'aglione for dinner, admiring the illuminated Palazzo Pubblico.

Day 2: From Siena to Lucignano, 21 km

Let’s hope that the sun will be shining during the first day of your journey, because the Crests of the Val d'Arbia offer unforgettable views: after saying goodbye to Siena, resting on the hills on the horizon, you will travel along the typical dirt roads of Siena as far as the fortified village of Lucignano, with its fine church. At the gates of Monteroni d'Arbia you will be able to admire the impressive Grancia di Cuna, a fortified farm which once held the reserves of wheat destined to the Republic of Siena.

Distance: 21 km

Elevation gain: +50/-200 m

Day 3: Da Lucignano a Buonconvento, 13,8 km

From Lucignano you will continue your journey through the Valle dell'Ombrone to Buonconvento. You will cross the gate of the walls and enter the fine old town centre of the village, discovering why its name means "happy fortunate place": you will walk through the picturesque streets, where life is lived quietly following the slow rhythms of a countryside village, and if you love art, you will have the chance to admire the works of some of the most famous Sienese painters in the Museum of Sacred Art of the Val d'Arbia.

If you want to have more time to visit Buonconvento, it is possible to add an extra night in Buonconvento to the package (not included in the price displayed here).

Distance: 13,8 km

Elevation gain: +120/-150 m

accommodation

Two Nights in double room in *** hotels with breakfast

Hotel Chiusarelli - Siena

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.

www.chiusarelli.com

Hotel Borgo Antico - Lucignano

The Hotel is surrounded by a relaxed and pleasant environment. Rooms are small, but clean. These are furnished in every detail while maintaining the typical Tuscan style with beams and wood trim. In some rooms you can admire the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Free Wifi, air conditioning, TV.

www.hotelborgoantico.com

practical info

You can find more information in the "accommodation" section: we always select your accommodation for their character and comfort. You will always be booked in a private, en-suite room, with breakfast included.

Luggage transfer from one hotel to the hotel is not included in the price, but you can add it by paying an extra charge.

From Bologna Airport (BLQ), get to the central railway station and take a train to Siena with change in Florence.

From Pisa Airport (PSA), you can take a train to Siena with change in Pisa Centrale station and in Empoli.

From Florence Airport (FLR), take a public bus to Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station, and then either a bus or a train to Siena (both direct).

On departure, the closest train station is Buonconvento. From there, you can reach Siena (direct), Pisa (with change in Siena) and Florence (with change in Siena) by train.

Train timetables are available on the website www.trenitalia.com.

Bus timetables are avavilable on www.busfox.com/timetable (Siena-Firenze)

Thanks to our special APP, you will be able to follow the track of the whole trip on your mobile phone, with no need for internet. GPS tracks are available on request.

Included

What is included

2 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
1 dinner in Lucignano
maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Pilgrim Passport
Medical and luggage travel insurance
24h phone assistance

What is not included

Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
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
luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
cancellation insurance
Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.

Is this trip for me?

This trip is perfect if you'd like to spend a walking weekend among the Crete Senesi after wandering through the Contrade of Siena: two nice, not too challenging sections for a taste of the beauty of Via Francigena.