dossier
Cycling South of Siena
TravelInformation
Travel: Nearest airport:Pisa or Florence.
Arrival: The tour starts inSiena, which is easily reached by bus from Rome in 3.5 hours or by train fromPisa, 2 hours, and from Florence in a little over 1 hour.
As an extra service: We can normally arrange an economical transfer to the start of the walk from Pisa (85 Euros/approx US$113) directly to Siena. Please note that thistransfer is an additional cost and should be pre booked. Payment is madelocally in Euros.
End of Tour: The tour ends afterbreakfast on day 8 in Castiglion del Laga This town is well connected withChiusi from where, by train, you can quickly reach, Pisa, Florence and Rome .
Season:April to November, bear in mind that July and August can be hot than at othertimes of the year.
Level of Difficulty
Grade: Challenging
Fitness: Travelers should have a reasonable level of fitness andshould be able to cycle up to 50kms/30mi in hot sun on dusty or stony tracks.
Waymarking: Most of the routeis marked by red/white marks made by the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) when theseare not available you will have to refer to our route notes.
Bikes: Bikes can be hired for 78 Euros (approx US$117) per person.This is paid on arrival of your bikes in Siena. The bikes are 24 gears, frontsuspended Mountain Bikes equipped with lock, panniers and basic repair kit. Youare advised to bring your own cycle helmet.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis in comfortable hotelswith en suite facilities when available. No evening meals are included, butthere are generally plenty of places where you eat each evening. You can normally eat quite well in a Tuscantrattoria for about 25 Euros (US$33) including a basic wine.
Picnic lunches are not included in the tour price, but materials for picnicscan be purchased in each of the towns and villages where you stay or passthrough – be careful with the old wines!
Nights 1: In the lively and sophisticated city of Siena we stay at asmall, comfortable hotel in rooms with en suite facilities, telephone, and colorTV.
Night 2: In Buonconvento westay overnight in a recently renovated 3 star hotel, which is located in thecenter of the town.
Night 3 & 4: InMontalcino our first choice of hotel is 3 stars rated, all rooms have privatebath, TV and telephone. You will get magnificent views and the hotel also has aswimming pool. This is a wonderful town with lots to do and see.
Night 5: In Bagno Vignoni we stay in a 3 star hotel overlooking theancient thermal pool.
Night 6: In Montepulciano we spend our night in asmall, simple inn, located in an ancient building which in the past was ahospital for the pilgrims.
Night 7: In Castiglion del Laga we stay in acomfortable room rental that has a really nice view overlooking Trasimeno Lago.From here there the opportunity of a ride to the magnificent medieval town ofCortona; we advise that you extend your stay for an extra night in order to dothis.
Extra Nights
Siena is certainly a beautiful city, yet despite its size, it hassomething of a village feel to it. There is so much to see and so many goodplaces to eat that it is worth an extra day. We can arrange extra nights hereor in Florence which is only about an hour away by bus from Siena.
We would also recommend afull day to really discover Montalcino and to sample the best “Brunello” wine.Or even Castiglion del Lago.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Siena by train from Pisa or Florence via Empoli,where you change trains. From the train station the hotel is a 15-minute walkor you could take a local taxi available in front of the station (notincluded). You can travel by bus fromRome or Florence. If you arrive at Rome Fiumicino airport take the train to“Roma Tiburtina”. In front of the station, from the bus terminal, take the“Sena” bus for Siena. In Siena get off at Piazza Gramsci. The Hotel is a 5-minutewalk.
After settling into the hotel you will find all the famous places of thecity within walking distance, with the Duomo, the huge Pisan Romanesque andGothic cathedral, the Palazzo Salimbeni, (the ancient head-quarters of theMonte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank of the world, founded in 1472 andstill today one of the biggest banks in Italy), the Piazza del Campo, the shelllike square, center of the mediaeval city, where twice per year they hold the“Palio” horse race. You can easily get lost in the warren of streets. OvernightSiena.
Day 2: Siena to Buonconvento: Our first cycling day is through theChianti hills. From here youcross the fascinating area of hills called the Crete Senesi and you reach theMonastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, built in the 14th century bythe Olivetan monks. Surrounded by a forest of cypresses, this place isworld-famous for the frescos in the courtyard painted by the 15thcentury painters Signorelli and Sodoma. Even the library and the church of theconvent are architectural masterpieces. You then continue on until you eventually reach the small town ofBuonconvento, where the Emperor Henry VII died in 1313. Distance 58km/35mi
Day 3 Buonconventoto Montalcino, today you will pass some great villas, e.g. Castelrosi, Castles,and Bibbiano. You will then cross the Ombrone river and come into the wineproducing area of Brunello de Montalcino. Overnight in Montalcino. Distance:38km/23mi
Day 4: A free day in Montalcino eitherrelaxing by the pool or alternatively a ride to visit the village of S Angeloin Colle, have lunch at one of the finest farmhouses in Tuscany, the Banfi property,on your way back there are Castles and Villas to be explored.
Day 5: Montalcino to BagnoVignoni. Today’s cycle ride will take you to theRomanic abbey of Sant Antimo, one of the most beautiful in all of Tuscany andnow lived in by the French Gregorian friars. Their prayers and songs give theambience a special mystic atmosphere. From here we make a visit to the mediaeval town of Castelnuovodell’Abate, with great views across to Monte Amiata, a former volcano, which isstill important for its thermal water. From here you continue and cross theCanyon of the Orcia River. On your side of the Canyon is the castle of Ripad’Orcia, and on the opposite side there is the castle of Rocca d’Orcia. You then reach Bagno Vignoni, which wasbuilt in the 13th century to permit Lorenzo de’Medici and the popesto relax in healthy thermal water. In this small village, instead of the usualcentral square, there is a large pool! Especially on cooler days the effect ofthe rising steam is incredible. Overnight in Bagno Vignoni. Distance: 45km/27mi
Day 6: Bagno Vignoni to Montepulcianocycling through open countryside that will lead us to a Renaissance jewel, Pienza.Built by Pope Pius II, (Piccolomini), who was born in Siena. We cycle throughthe small pleasant village of Monticchiello , a surprising small villagelocated on the top of a hill with a marvellous surrounding view, before youreach your last amazing bastion, the mediaeval town of Montepulciano. This has one of the most impressiverenaissance buildings in Italy: thechurch of San Biagio. Distance:47km/28mi
Day 7: Montepulciano – Castiglion del Lago An easy cycle ride today which will lead you down to thefortified town of Castiglion del Lago which is still surrounded by its ancientwalls and its distance from the modern residencial zone keeps it unaltered.First a town of fishermen then an agricultural area, Castiglione del Lago isnow one of the most important tourist centers around Lake Trasimeno. Distance 39km/23mi