Sentieri di Toscana

SIENA AND THE ORCIA VALLEY

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Siena
Meeting with the guide and transfer to Siena, a city that still shows almost intact its medieval appearance. We will visit the Basilica of San Domenico and then reach Piazza del Campo with the imposing Palazzo Pubblico, the Torre del Mangia and the beautiful Fonte Gaia, sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia. Finally we will reach the Cathedral, one of the most important gothic buildings in Italy, and the ancient hospitable for pilgrims of Santa Maria della Scala. Stop for lunch and tasting of typical Sienese sweets.  Having the whole day at our disposal, in the afternoon we will visit Monteriggioni, a charming medieval town protected by its famous turreted walls.

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Montalcino e Sant’Antimo
After breakfast transfer to Montalcino, the city of Brunello, a charming medieval town surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Val d'Orcia. Visit of the Medici Fortress, the Church of Sant'Agostino and Piazza del Popolo, dominated by the Palazzo dei Priori. Transfer to the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, one of the most important architectures of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, whose foundation is attributed by legend to Charlemagne.
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Montepulciano e Pienza
After breakfast transfer to Montepulciano, a town from where you can admire a fabulous and boundless panorama of the Val d'Orcia. From Porta al Prato, designed by Antonio da Sangallo, we will walk along the main street, flanked by elegant Renaissance palaces, until we reach Piazza Grande, dominated by the Cathedral and the Palazzo Pubblico. We will finally reach the Temple of San Biagio, Sangallo's last masterpiece. Stop for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Pienza, "ideal city" of the Renaissance, created by Pope Pio II. We will visit the central square, characterized by a complex of harmonious buildings including the Cathedral and Palazzo Piccolomini. Tasting of Pecorino di Pienza.

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Buonconvento e Monte Oliveto Maggiore
After breakfast transfer to Buonconvento, charming medieval village of the Crete Senesi still enclosed within a fourteenth-century brick wall. A pleasant walk will make us admire the characteristic alleyways, the Church of Saints Peter and Paul and the Public Palace. Transfer to Chiusure, small town in panoramic position. Stop for lunch.  In the afternoon we reach the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a masterpiece of Renaissance art, with the Chiostro Grande which houses wonderful frescoes by Luca Signorelli and Antonio Bazzi known as Il Sodoma.

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Sant’Antimo, San Quirico d’Orcia, Bagno Vignoni
After breakfast meeting with the guide and transfer to the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, one of the most important architectures of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, whose foundation is attributed to Charlemagne. Transfer to San Quirico d'Orcia, an ancient centre embellished with architectural jewels such as the Collegiate Church, the Chigi Zondadari Palace, the Horti Leonini.   Stop for lunch.   In the afternoon we will visit Bagno Vignoni, renowned since ancient times for its thermal waters. In the middle of the village we find the spectacular "Piazza delle Sorgenti", a large renaissance pool that collects the hot water that flows from the underground aquifer. Tasting of Brunello di Montalcino.