Italy - South Tuscany and Val D Orcia Hiking Tour 2018 Individual Self-Guided 7 days / 6 nights The famous area of Crete Senesi and its abbeys, castles and hills of vineyards are only some of the enticing ingredients of this tour. We are in the south east of Tuscany, where the scenery changes according to the season, ranging from the green meadows of spring, to the gold wheat fields of summer, and then again to the sea of red leaves of autumn. After a day spent in the charming city of Siena, you will start your walking experience from the small village of Buonconvento. Along the road, you will reach many places and villages of historical importance: the Abbey of Monte Oliveto; the Medieval town of Montalcino where you can also taste a glass of its excellent red wine; Sant'Antimo, the most beautiful Benedictine Abbey of Tuscany; Bagno Vignoni, a thermal resort since the Middle Age; the fascinating villages of San Quirico d'orcia and Pienza among others. In the second part of the tour, you will reach Montepulciano, the most important settlement in the Val di Chiana area. This town is an architectural jewel dating back from the 3rd century BC, still showing today its majestic palaces, narrow alleys and colourful buildings of subsequent ages. No lesser important, here you will have the opportunity to taste its world renown Noble wine in one of the 16th century wine cellars located in the old city center.
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Siena Individual arrival in Siena. Visit of the city with its medieval charm and historical city center. Overnight stay in Siena. Day 2: Buonconvento Monte Oliveto 18 km + 370 m 120 m Short train ride with your luggage to Buonconvento. Accommodation in your hotel and start of the walking itinerary. Trekking among the famous Crete (Clays) to reach the Abbey of Monte Oliveto where you can visit the cloister with its renowned frescos. During the day, you also reach the castle of Monterongriffoli and the tiny village of Chiusure. From the Abbey of Monte Oliveto private transfer back to your hotel. Dinner in Buonconvento. Day 3: Buonconvento Montalcino 20 km + 480 m 100 m Hiking through the wonderful hills covered with the famous Brunello s vineyards, you pass along some beautiful private villas and cellars. When in Montalcino, after tasting a glass of excellent wine, you can visit the Priori Palace, the Loggia, The Church of Sant Egidio and the Rocca, a pentagonal defence fortress built in 1361 and forerunner of the Tuscan fortresses typical of the Medicean Age. Return transfer to Buonconvento with public bus. Dinner in Buonconvento. Day 4: S. Antimo S. Quirico D orcia 20 km + 540 m 460 m Private transfer to Sant Antimo. From Sant Antimo, the most suggestive Benedictine Abbey of Tuscany, you cross the Crete area on foot, thus enjoying a unique and stunning view over the whole area, and finally reach the castle of Ripa d Orcia. From this viewpoint, you have the time to enjoy the panorama above the Orcia River and the towns of Castiglione and Rocca d Orcia. You then head towards Bagno Vignoni, a thermal resort since the Middle Age, with a stunning thermal bath right in the middle of the square of the village, and then pass over Vignoni, a little settlement with a medieval atmosphere, to finally reach San Quirico d Orcia. Public bus to Montepulciano.
Day 5: Montepulciano Pienza 16 km + 350 m 200 m Itinerary: Montepulciano Monticchiello Pienza and back to Montepulciano by public bus. Pienza, chosen by Pope Pio II as his temporary residence, is the quintessential Renaissance town. From there, we hike to the charming medieval village of Monticchiello. There is no better way to discover it than wandering along its streets, with the houses made of stones and tiny squares suddenly opening up at the end of a narrow alley. The itinerary ends in Montepulciano, the biggest town in the Val di Chiana area and well known for its famous Vino Nobile. You should not miss the possibility to taste this delicacy in one of the 16th century cellars in the ancient city centre. The town is an architectural jewel with its magnificent Renaissance palaces, narrow streets and brick buildings. Day 6: Pienza San Quirico D orcia 11 km + 200 m 250 m Transfer to Pienza by public bus. From Pienza you will walk across the typical Crete Senesi landscape, and after a couple of hilly ups and downs of hills you will reach San Quirico d Orcia. This town is located on the Via Francigena the pilgrim road heading to Rome, which contributed to the considerable economic growth of the town. Return to Montepulciano by public bus. Day 7: Montepulciano 5 km + 150 m 60 m Urban trekking in Montepulciano, the biggest town centre of the Val di Chiana, with its famous locally produce wine that you can taste in one of the Sixteenth century cellars. Individual departure in the early afternoon; from Montepulciano bus station you can go to Siena, Florence (connection in Siena) or Chiusi by public bus. Private transfer possible.
Route Technical characteristics: Route Profile: Easy. Paths and easy country roads, hiking altitude between 100 and 600 meters, average duration of the stages between 4 and 5 hours, positive difference in height between 0 and 500 meters per day. Distance: 90 km Travel Dates: Departures Saturdays and Sundays from April 7 to October 21, 2018
Price per Person: Standard Category Tour price double occupancy 620.00 Supplement single room 167.00 Extra Night in Siena or Montepulciano Double Room B&B 3* hotel 75.00 Extra Night in Siena or Montepulciano Single Room B&B 114.00 Private transfer Siena Buonconvento Day 2 45.00 Private transfer Montepulciano - Siena Day 7 108.00 Accommodation: Standard Category: hotel 3* Included: Accommodation in double en-suite rooms with private facilities in 3* hotels 6 Breakfasts and 2 dinners (in Buonconvento) Luggage transport (except Siena Montepulciano) Private transfers as detailed in the programme Route notes with maps GPS data available Not included: Journey to Siena and from Montepulciano Meals (except for breakfasts and 2 dinners) Drinks Entrance fees Insurance Tickets for public buses and Everything not specified in included Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848