Walking tour from Montepulciano to Siena 7d-6n
TOUR DETAILS
This is the Tuscany that you always have dreamt of. We will walk in the rolling hills very often portraited in Renaissance paintings and filmed in todays movies, a landscape with a deep blue sky, golden ochres and lush greens. From the famous vineyards of Vino Nobile and Brunello to walled Medieval and Renaissance boroughs visiting superb churches and abbeys with comfortable accommodations and typical restaurants and locandas.
Day 1: BENVENUTI! Arrival to Montepulciano, explore the old town
Our representative will meet you in Montepulciano, she/he will introduce to your walking tour proving you with maps and route notes Highlights of the day: Stunning views of the Chiana valley, the Vino Nobile wineyards of Montepulciano and the imposing cliff where the town lies.
Walk Details: Easy – approx 5 km a relaxing walk in the Montepulciano countryside passing through a Vino Nobile estate with an exploratory town’s walk in the main roads and narrow alleys of the town.
About the town: Montepulciano: a medieval walled town built on a limestone ridge. Renaissance style Palazzi and Chuches.
Special Event of the day: Visit of the town and Vino Nobile wine tasting
Hotel***
Day 2: Montepulciano – Pienza
Highlights of the day: Views of towns and the classic tuscan countryside of rolling hills dotted by stone houses and decorated by cypress.
Walk Details: Easy – approx 14 km (gravel rds & paths) relaxing walk along gravel roads and paths on the way to Orcia Valley passing through the medieval walled village of Monticchiello.
About the town: Pienza: In 1459 Pope Pius II (also a humanist philosopher) decided to rebuild his hometown (Corsignano) employing the Rossellino (architect) to build a model Renaissance town:“Pienza” (from Pius).
Special Event of the day: Visit of the town, a walk in the scenic Via Panoramica and pecorino cheese tasting
B&B
Day 3: Pienza – S.Quirico or Bagno Vignoni
Highlights of the day: from Pienza, a scenic balcony overlooking the Orcia river valley start your itinerary crossing this “post card” landscape of sensual rolling hills and deep green / golden (depending on the season) wheat fields.
Walk details: Easy – approx 14 km (double tracks & gravel rds) rolling hills along the route you will pass through the village of S.Quirico d’Orcia, less attended by tourists but very very nice and quiet. Before getting to Bagno Vignoni there is the small village of Vignoni Alto a very pictoresque medieval citadel
About the town: Bagno Vignoni: a tiny village with renassaince thermal baths.
Special Event of the day: A swim in the hot springs of Bagno Vignoni
Hotel***
Day 4: S.Quirico / Bagno Vignoni – Montalcino
Walk details: Moderate – approx 18 km (paths,double tracks & gravel rds) this walk is going to be one of the most varied from evergreen woods to fields and vinyards, today there will be also some steeper hills to climb, but not technically difficult.
About the area: Montalcino: Medieval hilltop town famous for its imposing “Fortezza” , the Brunello red wine and the honey
Special Event of the day: sipping Brunello in the Fortezza
Hotel***
Day 5: Ciao Ciao!
End of tour after breakfast.
Departure: Bus available to reach Siena or Buonconvento Railway Station (useful to get to Chiusi Railway Station the most important station of Central Tuscany, often stopping or changing in Siena)
For bus connections the line is 144R MONTALCINO-TORRENIERI-BUONCONVENTO-SIENA run by the bus company “Train”. Also check www.sienamobilita.it or www.trainspa.it
For train connections: www.trenitalia.it
CENTRAL TUSCANY DREAM (Extended Version)
Day 5: Montalcino -Buonconvento
Walk details: Moderate – approx 18 km mostly onto gravel roads. The walk starts descending from the Montalcino and then once crossed the Cassia road taking muletracks and footpaths in the hills around Buonconvento.
About the town: Buonconvento: Medieval town in the Arbia and Ombrone river valley
Special Event of the day: a visit to the Museum
Hotel**
Day 6: Buonconvento-Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey with transfer to Siena
Walk details: Moderate – approx 14 km mostly onto gravel roads and mule tracks across the Crete Senesi (Siena Clays)
About the area: Siena: the best preserved medieval city in Europe, a true masterpiece of art and architecture with its gothic duomo, the museums and famous buildings and the shell shape square “Il Campo” the scene of the holy (because dedicated to the Virgin), and mad horserace “The Palio”
Special Event of the day: a walk in the Banchi di Sopra at 7 o’clock. Views of tuscan towns and countryside , the imposing Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore that dominates the desert of the Crete Sienesi ( Siena Clays )and its renaissance frescoed cloister
Hotel**
Day 7: Ciao Ciao!
End of tour after breakfast. Connection via bus and train for Chiusi, Rome and Firenze and Arezzo.
