1738m high Mount Amiata, an old dormant volcano, stands between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto. The surrounding area is covered by chestnut and beech woods, olive groves and vineyards providing a striking natural environment. The village of Seggiano, where our hotel is located, lies right in the heart of this incredible landscape. From Seggiano we will take daily trips to the nearby villages and little towns, including Santa Fiora, Piancastagnaio, Arcidosso e Abbadia San Salvatore, but we will also visit world famous sites like Siena and San Gimignano (for details please read our daily program).
All these little towns still retain their medieval structure, stone buildings and little charming churches. Abbadia San Salvatore in particular is named after a Benedictine abbey founded in 743. Away from the main tourist itineraries these villages have also kept their traditions and public festivals, most of which take place in Autumn to celebrate the products of the land that are mushrooms, chestnuts, olive oil and wine. We will be able to join in the celebrations.
One full day of our tour is dedicated to nature. We will take a long walk in the typical chestnut tree woods and to enjoy it to the full we recommend to take proper shoes and clothes with you. Food is also a major component of Italian lifestyle and we will therefore try some of the reputed restaurants in the area. A full day will be dedicated to Siena, without doubt one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. Its medieval centre is bristling with majestic Gothic buildings such as the Palazzo Pubblico in the Campo, Siena’s main square, and a wealth of artworks is contained in its numerous churches and museums. On the last day of the tour we will visit San Gimignano. The town, perched on a hill top, dominates the Elsa valley and a superb landscape of wheat fields, cypresses and vineyards.
It is famous for retaining 13 towers, out of approx 72, which were the symbol of the power and wealth of the city’s medieval families.
Grosseto is the main town in the Maremma area and it still retains part of its renaissance wall. Right in the heart of the Etruscan area Grosseto has very intresting archaeological museum. Nearby there is the famous seaside resort of Castiglione della Pescaia. As the name tells it was originally a sea fortress.
Our tour also provides relaxation at some of the local spas. Bring along bathing clothes and take advantage of the curative waters at the picturesque thermal baths of San Filippo and Saturnia. Enjoy your trip!
7 Day Tour
First day: PARKS AND GARDENS
9:00 AM - departure from Lucca.
Expected arrival at Seggiano at 12:00 noon. Accommodation at hotel Terre d’Orcia (***).
12:30 PM lunch at restaurant “Non solo Eat Art” located inside the garden designed by Daniel Spoerri.
2 PM guided tour of the garden.
4:30 PM departure for Capalbio to visit the enchanted Tarot Garden byNiki de Saint Phalle. Back to hotel and dinner comprising mushroom soup, handmade pastaand rustic-style wild boar, according to the hotel tradition.
Second day: CHURCHES AND MUSEUMS IN SEGGIANO AND GROSSETO
Breakfast will be served at hotel from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
9:30 AM guide will meet you at the hotel and will walk you in themedieval borough of Seggiano. Visit will include the “Madonna della Carità” church, Saint Bernardin church and Potentino castle.
1:00 PM lunch in Pescina at famous “La Scottiglia” restaurant, withtypical dishes including Scottiglia (bread and meat thick soup).
2:30 PM departure by bus for Grosseto.Expected arrival at 15:30 PM.Visit of Saint Lawrence cathedral.
4:30 PM visit of the Art and Archaeological museum of Maremma and the Sacred Art museum of the bishopric of Grosseto.
From 5:30 PM approx 2 hours free time for shopping and drinks in Grosseto.
8:00 PM meeting at cathedral and departure for Castiglione della Pescaia.
8:30 PM arrival and dinner at “Il Granaio” restaurant. A fishbased menu will be served in the garden of the restaurant.
10:30 PM approx departure for Seggiano.
Third day: SPORT
Breakfast will be served at hotel from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
8:30 AM guide will meet group at hotel for a walking tour along the so-called “Chestnut Route”, 6 paths in the middle of century-oldchestnut woods.The more trained guests can walk the “Mountain Ring” on their own and under their own responsibility: the 28 km long path around the MonteAmiata volcano passes trough the villages of Santa Fiora, Piancastagnaio and Arcidosso. Picnic lunch. Back to hotel sometime in the afternoon.
Leisure time before dinner which will be served at 8:30 PM.You can relax and sleep late tomorrow as breakfast will be served till 10:30 AM.
Fourth day: WELLNESS
Breakfast will be served at hotel from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
11:00 AM departure by bus for Abbadia San Salvatore where will visit the famous San Filippo spa. The entrance ticket includes the use of the natural swimming pools. Mud therapies and massages at cost.
From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM a buffet lunch is available at the spa bar.
3:30 PM departure for Saturnia and visit of the world famous Saturnia spas.The entrance ticket includes the use of the swimming pools withhydrofitness equipment, saunas etc.The golf course and the tennis courts can be booked in advanceby the hotel reception.
8:00 PM dinner at the spa restaurant which offers a choice of three different menus.
Fifth day: VILLAGE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Breakfast will be served at hotel from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
10:00 AM departure by bus for Santa Fiora where the mushroomfestival will be in progress. Stop at one of the farms for a cooking lesson on polenta, a kind of corn flour porridge traditionally eaten with stewed mushrooms. From the farm we reach on foot the centre of Santa Fiora. Free time to visit the little town, the local market and to enjoy the famousPolenta and mushrooms.
4:00 PM departure by bus for Abbadia San Salvatore where the Autumnfestival is in progress.Local products can be tasted and bought from many stands,localartisans will be at work to show you century-old manufacturingtechniques.The antique market is also in progress and there is live musiceverywhere in the streets of the charming village. Dinner at your own leisure.
10:00 PM back to hotel by bus.
Sixth day: SIENA
8.00 AM breakfast will be served at hotel.
9:00 AM departure for Siena by bus. Expected arrival at 10:30 AM. A city guide will meet group in front of San Domenico church,one of the most significant churches in Siena which houses thehead of Saint Catherine, the patron saint of Italy.The spot also affords a panoramic view of the city.We take a walk into the city centre to visit the medieval streets and along Banchi di Sopra we reach the imposing Duomo whose interior is incredibly rich with artworks and warrants an hour or more of our time. The “Museo dell’Opera” including the striking early 14th century “Maestà” by Duccio di Buoninsegna is right in front of the Duomo.We recommend you to visit it during your free time.We walk back to the shell-shaped Il Campo square ( the heart of Sienawhere the famous Palio is held).
1:00 PM lunch at “Al Mangia” restaurant.
2:30 PM guide will lead you to the nearby Palazzo Pubblico (townhall) considered one of the most graceful gothic buildings in Italy.The palace houses a spectacular art collection. Its bell tower, the “Torre del Mangia”, is 102 m high.The tour will officially finish at 5:00 PM.
From 5:00 PM free time for shopping and leisure.
7:30 PM meeting in front of restaurant “I Musicanti” (see locationon provided city map). More typical dishes will be served including Pici (a handmade pasta).
Seventh day: SAN GIMIGNANO AND DEPARTURE
Breakfast will be served from 7:30 AM.
From 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM check out.
9:00 AM departure for San Gimignano.
Expected arrival at 11:00 AM. Local guide will meet group at bus stop.The tour includes the visit of the Duomo with its magnificent medievalfrescos, the Town Hall Palace and the Saint Augustin church.
1:00 PM lunch at “Il Pino” restaurant.
2:30 PM visit of archaeological museum.
3:30 PM free time for shopping and drinks.
5:00 PM departure for Lucca. Expected arrival at 7:00 PM.
