Southern Tuscany

Day 1 • Arrive in Siena

The best-preserved great medieval city in Europe

HH Piccolo Hotel Etruria (std) HHH Santa Caterina (sup)

Day 2 • Siena to Lucignano

Walk south from Siena following the route of the early medieval Via Francigena, across the open hills of the crete, to Lucignano (14.5 miles, 7 hrs).

HHH Borgo Antico

Day 3 • Lucignano to Buonconvento (Day 1 – Arrive Buonconvento)*

Walk through pastures, vineyards and olive groves overlooking the Arbia and Ombrone valleys, to walled Buonconvento, with its small museum housing 14th/15th century masterpieces (9 8 miles, 5 hrs)

HHH Pieve a Salti (8-day std & sup)

HHH Albergo Roma (5-day)

Day 4 • Excursion

Walk to visit one of the finest abbeys in Europe – the Benedictine Monte Oliveto Maggiore, with its superb cloister of magnificent frescoes by Signorelli and Sodoma (retur n jour ney 11 6 miles, 6 hrs)

HHH Pieve a Salti (8-day std & sup)

Day 5 (2)

• Buonconvento to Montalcino

Over open hills and through the famous vineyards of Brunello to panoramically situated Montalcino, centre of the Brunello wine area and home to a 14th century castle and excellent museum (11.4 or 13.1 miles, 5.5 or 6.5 hrs).

HHH Dei Capitani

Day 6 (3) • Montalcino to Bagno Vignoni

Walk through the vineyards of Brunello to the superb Romanesque abbey-church of Sant’Antimo, built of alabaster and onyx Then on to the Orcia Valley and Bagno Vignoni, with its Roman ther mal baths in central piazza (11 2 or 14 1 miles, 5 5 or 7 hrs)

HHHH Le Ter me Spa & Resort

Day 7 (4)

• Bagno Vignoni to Pienza

Walk along the Orcia Valley then across open far mland to Pienza, birthplace of Aeneas Piccolomini When elected Pope Pius II in 1458, he commissioned the architect Rossellino to convert it into the first Renaissance city, with a delightful papal palace, ‘cathedral’ and museum (5 8 miles, 2 5 hrs)

HHH Residence San Gregorio (std)

HHHH Il Chiostro (sup)

Day 8 (5)

• Departure day, or...

Optional extension to Montepulciano (std, 8 3 miles) or Montefollonico (sup, 8.7 miles). Wonderfully scenic walking!

*Days in brackets refer to 5-day itinerary

Route open: April-Oct

Airports to first hotel: u Florence (50 miles)

Tram/train: 2 hrs - €15

Taxi: 1 hr - ~€150 u Pisa (74 miles)

Train: 2 hrs - €17

Taxi: 1 5 hrs - ~€180

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks fluent English and Italian.

Route Book: 151 pages – detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information

Walking: Moderate (Grade 3) See p 8

Terrain: Open rolling hills with spectacular views Paths along far m tracks, ancient drove roads and gravel lanes