Tuscan Vistas

The view over the Crete Senesi is one of the most evocative in Italy: great clay hills, eroded through time, cultivated for centuries and traversed by ancient pilgrims. This amazing landscape continues to the south in the valley of the River Orcia – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together they create the most harmonious panoramas and pleasant drives, passing ancient abbeys, medieval villages, healing spas and crumbling fortresses that guarded the pilgrim routes.

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1 BUONCONVENTO

2 ABBAZIA DI MONTE OLIVETO MAGGIORE

3 SAN GIOVANNI D’ASSO

4 MONTISI

5 A WALK THROUGH THE CRETE SENESI

6 CASTELMÚZIO

7 PETROIO

8 MONTEFOLLONICO

9 MONTEPULCIANO

10 PIENZA

11 SAN QUIRICO D’ORCIA

12 MONTALCINO

13 ABBAZIA SANT’ANTIMO

14 CASTIGLIONE D’ORCIA AND ROCCA D’ORCIA

15 BAGNO VIGNONI

16 LA FOCE

ACTIVITIES

Build up a head of steam on the Nature Train through the Crete Senesi from Siena, stopping at Buonconvento and other villages

Experience the thrill of a hot-air balloon at dawn from Montisi and see the amazing Crete Senesi landscape from a totally different viewpoint

Sample the two great red wines of the region: the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the Brunello di Montalcino

Soak in a mud bath at Bagno Vignoni and enjoy the healing effects of fangoterapia (mud therapy)

PLAN YOUR DRIVE

Start/finish: Buonconvento to La Foce.

Number of days: 3 days.

Distance: Approx. 130 km (80 miles).

Road conditions: Generally good with little heavy traffic; some “white roads” which are maintained but unsealed.

When to go: All-year but in autumn and winter the landscape is slightly dull and has less impact.

Opening times: Most museums open 9am–7pm and often close Mon and Sun afternoon, with shorter hours in winter. Churches can be unpredictable, and usually close noon–3 or 4pm.

Main market days: Buonconvento: every Sat; San Giovanni d’Asso: 1st Mon of the month pm; Montisi: 3rd Mon of the month pm; Montepulciano: every Thu; Pienza: organic and traditional food, every Fri, 1st Sun of the month; San Quirico d’Orcia: 2nd & 4th Tue of every month; Montalcino: every Fri, 1st & 3rd Tue of the month; Castiglione d’Orcia: every 2nd Sat, 1st & 3rd Tue.

Major festivals: Montisi: Giostra di Simone, 1st weekend Aug – medieval festival culminating in a Sunday joust; Montepulciano: International Festival of Arts, Jul; Bravìo delle Botti (Wine Barrels competition), last Sun of Aug; Pienza: Fiera di Cacio, 1st week Sep – a festival celebrating the Pecorino di Pienza cheese; San Quirico d’Orcia: Festa del Barbarossa, 3rd Sat & Sun in Jun; Montalcino: Jazz & Wine, Jul; Honey Week, Sep; Thrush Festival: last weekend in Oct; Castiglione d’Orcia: May Festival, night of 30 Apr – singers parade around town.

DAY TRIP OPTIONS

There are three excellent themes on this drive – enjoy the architecture and chanting of the abbeys funded by the pilgrims on the Via Francigena. Settle a debate that has raged for centuries in the local enotecas and vineyards – whose wine is best? Enjoy the famous culinary specialities of San Giovanni d’Asso, Pienza and Montalcino. For further details, Day Trip Options

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The dramatic drawbridge at the Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore

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Classic Cretan Senesi view with clay hill, large farm and cypress trees

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