Company providing bike tours in Italy

Walking tour:

Magic journey through Orcia Valley

Val d’Orcia is not a place to be rushed through. The mystique of this land lies not only in its landscape, but also in its nature, its wines and its history: oak woods, olive groves and vineyards watch over enchanting hillsides, medieval villages and historical monuments. Our itinerary of trails and dirt roads offers the chance to live out a slow-speed adventure on foot: you will enter the heart of the valley and appreciate its most minute details, far removed from traffic and chaos. From Siena to Pienza to Montepulciano, we’ll cross the region at our pace while our view takes in the rolling silhouette of the hills that seems to go on forever. Then we’ll climb up to Montalcino through Brunello vineyards and enjoy the breathtaking panoramas which are in store for you along the hill crest from Radicofani to Contignano.

Itinerary:

Day one - The artistic heritage of Siena
Arrival of the tour participants in Siena. Check in our hotel il chiostro del carmine, a charming hotel in a 15th century historical building in the center of town. Briefing meeting with your guides at the hotel. Welcome Dinner.  

Day two – From the wild Crete to Pienza  
Our first walk will start after a guided tour of Siena historical and artistic treasures, starting from the world-famous main square the Campo, with its unique semicircular inclined outline. We will move towards the southern boundary of Siena territory, through the area of the “Crete”. Here the verdant hills give way to little domes of clay and Tuscany reveals another face of its identity, an unusual, almost lunar landscape of chalk cliffs and gullies soaked in a primeval atmosphere. We’ll walk along one of the most beautiful and suggestive unpaved roads in the region, among isolated farmhouses and breathtaking vistas of the most secluded area of the Crete.Pic-nic lunch at the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, one of the most interesting in Italy. Founded at the beginning of the 14th century this great monastery stands out in a beautiful position among lofty cypresses. Transfer to san Giovanni d’asso Lodging hotel locanda del castello   

Day three – Sweetly rolling hills to Montepulciano  
Our walk sets out immediately from san Giovanni d’asso  on quiet dirt roads with sweeping views. To the south, the road leads to the enchanting hill town of Monticchiello, where various historic constructions may be admired. Then, continuing eastward along the rolling hills of the Asso and Orcia valley, scored by olive groves and rows of vineyards, we’ll reach our final destination: Montepulciano, pearl of the 17th century and famous for its Vino Nobile. We’ll then visit the church of San Biagio, just outside the city, one of the finest buildings constructed in the 16th century. Let’s finish our day in a special way, we’ll have a hands-on cooking class followed by a delicious dinner with the classic Tuscan dishes we’ll have made ourselves!Hotel in Pienza relais il chiostro  

Day four  – San Quirico  & Bagno Vignoni hot spring
Encircled by fortified walls in the 12th century, San Quirico d’Orcia still appears to us with its original medieval appearence. We’ll stop in the town center to visit the Collegiata church with gothic portals, and the Horti Leonini gardens, a splendid example of giardini all’italiana. Then we’ll take the dirt road that leads to the minuscule hamlet and tower of Vignoni and arrive in Bagno Vignoni, a tiny village with a water-filled square whose thermal hot springs have been enjoyed since Roman times and had been made famous by illustrious regular visitors such as Lorenzo Il Magnifico e Saint Catherine from Siena. The waters rise up from a dept of 1000 meters and reach the surface at 52° C°, flowing in a magnificent pool.  Hotel in Pienza relais il chiostro  

Day five – Montalcino, the home of Brunello
We’ll start from Montalcino, the home of Brunello, one of Italy’s most precious wine, and take the road for Sant’ Antimo. We will follow a dirt road through woods, pass through a minuscule medieval village and descend to the valley to reach the splendid Abbey of Sant'Antimo. The church is still used by French monks who sing Gregorian chants well worth hearing. We’ll then return to Montalcino and take the opportunity to taste different kinds of the renowned Brunello while enjoying a Tuscan lunch in a local enoteca la fortezza. The view from its walls stretches toward Mount Amiata, across the Crete to Siena, the Orcia valley and the hills of Maremma. Below lies the main square Piazza del Popolo with its characteristic fine gothic loggia and the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) with its slender stone tower.Hotel in Pienza relais il chiostro   

Day six – Radicofani
Starting from the medieval town of Contignano, a little road curving through the splendid countryside will lead us to Radicofani, one of the most impressive fortress in Tuscany for both its position and its structures, which for centuries has regulated the passage between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Papal territories. The triangular shaped stronghold is located on the top of a high cliff , at a mile distance from the village. Its tower was rebuilt in the last century and offers an extraordinary view over the Orcia valley, Mount Amiata, the Appennines and Lakes Trasimeno and Bolsena. At the foot of the hills lies the picturesque medieval hamlet with paved street and stone houses. Pic nic at garden of townBack to Pienza for the Farewell Dinner.Hotel in Pienza relais il chiostro   

Day seven – End of tour after breakfast.


Difficulty :
Price : Euro 2,200 p/person based n double accommodation
Single supplement Euro 300
Inclusions:
1.Six nights in superior hotels with private bath and breakfast
2.Six dinners (wine not included) & one wine tasting
3.One cooking lesson
4.Services of experienced bilingual local guides
5.Support van, all transfer baggage
6.Guided visit of historic sites in Siena
7.All maps and trip notes
Duration:7 days/6 nights
Dates:2010
21 - 27 September
Notes: Experienced local guides will lead our group, walking between 5 and 7 miles per day. A support van will escort us each day, to drive us around before and after the walks, as well as to welcome resting hikers. The groups are small (max. 12 walkers); to create a sense of intimacy.