Guided Walking Tours in Tuscany:
Montalcino - Hilltown Gems of Southern Tuscany

Dinner is provided in an historic trattoria serving genuine southern Tuscan peasant food. We arrive in Montalcino in time explore Montalcino's steep stone streets, walk the walls and enjoy fine views over the terrain we will walk in the coming days.

This walk has great variety, from shady woods with small streams to open pastures and expansive views. There are three highlights; first an Etruscan settlement gradually being excavated, next the picturesque village of Villa A Tolli and finally the magnificent Romanesque Abbazia di Sent'Antimo.

The Villa was an important crossing point in Etruscan times and a toll collection point in Roman times, some of the very tracks used today for walking. The Abbey has been described as one of the best examples of abbeys in Tuscany, if not all of Italy. Built on the Via Francigena, the pilgrim path from northern Europe to Rome, the abbey provided shelter and sustenance to these pilgrims. "One of the few places left in Italy where you can listen to the Gregorian Chants" - Community of Sant'Antimo.

On leaving Montalcino, views of the fortified Hilltowns of Pienza and Monticchiello can be seen on the horizon.

The pathway leads over rolling hills, through fertile farmlands growing durum wheat, and vineyards producing Brunello wine.

San Quirico d'Orcia is a medieval market town dating back to the 8C. The village grew in the 13C, as it was a resting place for pilgrims walking along the Via Francigena to Rome. You are still able to enter an ancient courtyard of one on the hospices.

The highlight of this walk is the opportunity to visit the three magnificent Hilltowns of Montepulciano, Monticchiello and Pienza with plenty of time to explore them. The route passes through rich pastures, the source of the famous pecorino cheese. You often hear the sweet chiming bells of the sheep flocks. Pecorino is made from ewe's milk. On arrival in Pienza you will catch the pungent scent wafting out of the amazing cheese shops.

This special walk takes us through rich farming, hamlets, into a nature reserve and finishing in the pretty hamlet of Murlo. The walk has great variety.

We start in the historic market town of Buonconvento. After leaving the town the pathway follows shady lanes through cultivated fields often planted with Durum wheat and sunflowers, vineyards and hamlets. A short detour will be taken to visit the foundations of a Roman villa, 1-4C. Murlo has one of the best Archaeological Museums specialising in Etruscan remains and is certainly worth a visit.

Bagno Vignoni is a medieval spa town on a small plateau. The hot water spring has been known since Roman times and bubbles up into a large piscine pool. The Medici's built the elegant portico, as they were devoted to bathing in these beneficial bubbling baths.

The route follows the River Orcia with tremendous views of Rocca d'Orcia and Ripa d'Orcia.

The walk ends at Castelnuovo dell' Abata, the medieval town that sits above Abbazia di Sant'Antimo. It is an unforgettable sight approaching from this direction. The Abbey is situated in a beautiful tranquil valley surrounded by ancient olives.

Our tour returns and ends in Florence. Alternatively you can take the bus to Siena and points beyond.