Tuscany: “Val d’Orcia”: Siena, Old Abbeys and Thermal Baths

Tuscany: “Val d’Orcia”: Siena, Old Abbeys and Thermal Baths

per person

Tuscany: “Val d’Orcia”: Siena, Old Abbeys and Thermal Baths

We’ll make us be surrounded by the postcard-like landscape of “Val d’ Orcia”, UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is dotted by medieval villages and castles. The wonderful Siena deserves a careful visit and is one of the basic stopping places along “Francigena Route”. It’s thanks to this strategic way of communication that Siena became an economic, religious and cultural centre in the medieval epoch.

We will visit “crete senesi” and the old abbeys such as Montain Oliveto Abbey and its frescos. We’ll see Bagno Vignoni with its unique in the worldwater square, thermal location since the Roman/Etruscan epoch, frequented along the centuries by celebrities like Santa Caterina da Siena, Pope Pio II and Lorenzo il Magnifico.

We will pass through Pienza, the ideal town of Pio II, and the church of Vitaleta, the most photographed one in Italy, to reach “Pieve di Corsignano” by its exceptional medieval decorations.

Moreover, we’ll have one of the most attracting walks in Valley of Orcia that concerns a temple of wine, the village of Montalcino and its Brunello, also an unbelievable spiritual location, the Abbey of Sant’Antimo.

This tour will like to our palate as well: “Pici all’aglione”, the very known “Pecorino di Pienza” and the precious “Brunello di Montalcino” are just some of the yummy specialities that we will try.

April - June / September - October
1
1st Day
Meeting at Siena train station. With a guide, we will visit the marvellous Siena, chest of medieval jewels and UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the best stop-over along Francigena Route. We may live the atmosphere of Palio and its quarters, the splendour of the Cathedral and the importanceof “Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala”. Dinner and overnight stay in B&B in Siena.
2
2nd Day
Transfer to Buonconvento, “one of the most beautiful villages of Italy”, built nearby Ombrone river, the second biggest river of Tuscany. We will move to Mountain Oliveto Abbey. We will join an interesting guided tourtothe precious and huge frescos. After, we will walk through the famous “Crete Senesi”,surrounded by clays, lands and villages completely built with unique bricks obtained by them. The erosive creations of gulliesaround the villageof Chiusure are spectacular, as well as the frescos of Sodoma in the big cloister of Mountain Oliveto Abbey, hosting-house of monks. Dinner and overnight stay near Buonconvento.  

Beginners ★★

4/5 hours, Lenght 13km, Elevation gain +400m
3
3rd Day
From Buonconvento we’ll continue on foot to Montalcino, heart of the italian medieval architecture and homeland of precious wines. Dinner and overnight stay in Montalcino.  

Passionate ★★

5 hours, Lenght 15km, Elevation gain +500m
4
4th Day
One of the most beautiful walks in Val d’Orcia, touching Montalcino with its preciuos Brunello wine, and an unbelievable spiritual location, the Abbey of Sant’Antimo. The route twists among vineyards and woods with landscapes’ views on Mt. Amiata. Along the route, we’ll have a tasting of Brunello. Dinner and overnight stay in B&B in Castelnuovo dell’Abate.  

Beginners ★★

3/4 hours, Lenght 12km, Elevation gain +200m -500m
5
5th Day
We’ll start with the guided tour of Sant’Antimo Abbey. This monastery has Lombard origin and boasts many centuries of history and has got an architecture producedby many artistic influences tightly related to pilgrims fromall overEurope walking alongtheRoad Francigena. From Sant’Antimo we are walking to San Quirico d’Orcia in a landscape that alternates woods and old houses, cultivations and vineyards. Dinner and overnight stay in San Quirico d’Orcia.  

Passionate ★★

Length 5/6 hours, Lenght 17km, Elevation gain +550m
6
6th Day
We will be winded by the open and sweet landscape of Val d’Orcia, a land dotted by medieval villages and castles. From San Quirico to Bagno Vignoni: spectacular its water square, thermal place since the Roman/Etruscan epoch. At brief distance, in the “Valle dei Mulini”, we may relax with a bath in the natural open-air swimming pool. Dinner and overnight stay near Bagno Vignoni.  

Beginners ★★

3/4 hours, Lenght 10km, Elevation gain +350m
7
7th Day
From Bagno Vignoni, a charming walking to the wonderful Pienza, the ideal town of Pio II and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will reach the church of Vitaleta, the most photographed ones in Italy. We will end the day with a visit andtasting in one of the cheese factories where the famous Pecorino di Pienza is produced. Dinner and overnight stay in Pienza.  

Beginners ★★

3/4 hours, Lenght 12km, Elevation gain +350m
8
8th Day
Our last day starts from the visit of Pienza and the cathedral, called “Domus vitrea” for its brightness and whiteness, close to Piccolomini Palace, where the Pope’s family lived until the half of the last century. We will walk to Monticchiello famous for its famous “Poor Theatre”. The medieval walls and towers completely surround it: the garden will be the perfect location for a picnic. After lunch, trasnfer to Siena. End of our services. Beginners ★★☆☆ 3/4 hours, Lenght 9km, Elevation gain +250m NB: The order of activities and their content can undergo variations by the guide to ensure the safety and good result, in case particular circumstances occur.
9
Difficulty code
Physical training level: is this tour fitting you? Read our difficulty code:
Touristic

Touristic

Itineraries on road or large track that don’t require specific training or bearing skills. However, it is necessary to don’t have reduced mobility or cardiovascular disease. 200 m maximum gain and 3 h maximum walking (break excluded)

Difficulty ★☆☆☆

Beginners

Beginners

Itineraries on easy to find tracks. They need a minimum of training and equipment. 400 m maximum gain and 4 h maximum walking (break excluded)

Difficulty ★★☆☆

Passionate

Passionate

Itineraries on easy to find tracks, also in snowy area with moderate slope. They need a minimum of equipment and bearing skills, walking training in mountain condition for few hours. 600 m maximum gain and 5 h maximum walking (break excluded)

Difficulty ★★★☆

Highlander

Highlander

Itineraries not well marked. They need a reasonable mountain knowledge and absence of vertigo. Physical training should be appropriate to a full day walking. 600 m maximum gain and more than 5 h walking (break excluded).

Difficulty ★★★★

TOUR LOCATION

 

Tour info

Luggage and backpacks: A good level of physical training is required. We will walk the entire route on foot with a small backpack. Luggages will be moved from one accomodation to the other.
Allergies and specific diet: Don’t forget to inform us about your specific dietary need. Last minute request may not be accepted. On the route could be difficult to find detail food like gluten – free. For this reason we higly recommend to bring your own food.

Single bedroom: On request with extra cost.

Price

Price on request

The price includes:

  • Half board in hotel, flats and farm holidays such as indicated in the programme;
  • Accomodation in double rooms or flats such as in the programme;
  • Luggage transfer;
  • Guided hiking;
  • Transfer by private bus from Siena to Buonconvento and Mountain Oliveto and from Monticchiello to Siena;
  • Tasting of organic wines in the cellar;
  • Tasting of local cheeses directly by the producer;
  • Guided tour of Siena;
  • Certified Nature and Walking Guide;
  • Insurance for groups.

The price does not include

  • Personal insurance;
  • Packed lunches (you can buy directly in the accomodation) and drinks during meals;
  • Extra cost for single bedrooms;
  • Trasnfer from/to Siena;
  • Personal extras;
  • Anything not indicated in “The prices includes

Insurance

Coverage: Polizza Europassistance Viaggi Nostop Gruppi

On request, we can activate: BASE Insurance Policy It should be requested together with the tour booking because it has to be issued within 24 hours from the booking confirmation. Payment has to be done together with the deposit specifying on the payment description “Deposit and BASE Insurance Policy”. Alternatively, it is possible to activate the TOP Cancellation Policy with 15 days before the departure.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation within 30 days before the departure: 25% loss of the total cost;
  • Cancellation from 29 to 16 days before the departure: 50% loss of the total cost;
  • Cancellation from 15 to 6 days before the departure: 75% loss of the total cost;
  • Cancellation within 5 days before the departure: 100% loss

Same penalty are applied to everybody lacking of valid ID or Passport. 

Contacts

Travel Agency Il Ponticello Coop. a r.l.
Strada della Chiusa 4/11, 61122 Pesaro (PU)
Tel: +39 0721 482607 (lun/ven 9,30-18,30)
Cell. +39 338 7145465 / 3703028464
E-mail: info@ilponticello.net
IBAN – IT19J0882613300000010102092
SWIFT/BIC – ICRAITRRMY0
Indicate on the payment description:
  1. Name of the activity
  2. Date and place of the activity
  3. Number of participants
C.F./P.I./R.I. 02442890410
REA Number: PS 182058
Capitale sociale € 10.000 versato € 10.000
Iscrizione Albo Cooperative n. A211782