1st
day SIENA
The tour begins from the splendid
Siena and most precisely from the Square San Domenico. You will lose yourself
in the alleys through the street Banchi di Sopra you can reach the Square
SAlimbeni on which background rises the Palace Salimbeni from the fourteenth
century today a seat of the Mount of Paschi of Siena.
The Palace Tolomei the most antique
private palace of the city: exists from the 1205 year today is a seat of the
Savings Bank of Florence.
In the Duomo Square rises the
Cathedral, one of the most splendid creations of the gothic Italian
architecture, absolutely between the most beautiful in Italy which main
attraction is the unique Floor, but is discovered only in some periods of the
year.
The tour of the cathedral normally
includes the Piccolomini Library.
The tour concludes in Square of the
Field between the most beautiful medieval squares, of a big scenographic effect
with its characteristic form of seashell, where the historic Palio of Siena
runs.
During the day a break for lunch in a
typical cellar of Siena.
CURIOSITY: Siena: the Palio of Siena, the famous
Horse Race in the Square of Fields is organized two times a year and brings
tourists from all around the world.
Siena has 17 contradas and each has
its own history and emblem.
Typical dish: the pici and panforte od
Siena.
2nd
Day MONTEPULCIANO AND PIENZA (30 km journeys from Chianciano – 60
km from Siena)
Montepulciano is a medieval city of
rare beauty which for sure should be visited! An unique village with an elegant
Renaissance palaces, antique churches, splendid squares and small hidden
angles. From Montepulciano, you can enjoy a fairy landscape of the Val d’Orcia
and Val di Chiana. The village can be visited on foot.
Right after you pass the gates of
Montepulciano, a break in the underground city for a mini tour with a
degustation. The tour in the cellars is suggestive and lasts 30 min. at the end
of the visit it is possible to taste the wine of their cellars, included also
the Vin Santo and some toast. For those who like to buy typical products is at
disposal.
Lunch in a cellar based on typical
local products.
In the afternoon a visit of Pienza,
considered the ideal city of urban planning. The cathedral is in the center of
the city. To visit the Palace Piccolomini a summer residence of Pope Pio and
the palace Borgia.
The center’s streets offer pieces on
the val d’Orcia which deserve to be photographed.
CURIOSITY: Pienza: every Sunday in the square
there is a market of product at 0 km. the Pienza’s pecorino is an excellence of
the culinary of the zone.
3RD Day TOUR VAL D'ORCIA -BAGNO VIGNONI –
SANT’ANTIMO AND MONTALCINO (45 km journeys from Chianciano – 45
km from Siena)
The visit starts from a “jewel”:
Vignoni Bath a very famous thermal locality characteristic for its
square-stroll from which flows thermal water at 52 grades!
Proceeding to the splendid Abbey of
S.Antimo which the legend wants to be founded by Carlo Magno and then rebuilt
during the Romanian era in onyx and alabaster. Rich of art operas, S.Antimo
hosts the new French Order of the monks of Cluny which has here its own central
seat.
Lunch in a cellar in Val d’Orcia.
The visit continues in the afternoon
with Montalcino: walking through the city you can admire many architectonic
works of Middle Age, starting from the walls of belt which still conserve the
antique gates and towers, the Town hall (a building of public architecture from
the end of XIII century), the Loggias from the Popolo Square (with arches from
the XIV and XV centuries), the Cathedral in neoclassic style (built on an
antique church from the XI century), the Sanctuary of Madonna of the
rescue(built in the XVII century on a church from the XV century), the Saint
Edigio’s church (the church of Siena’s people, from the XIV century), and the
beautiful churches from the XIV century of Saint Agostino (with frescoes of the
Siena’s school from the XIV century) and Saint Francesco, with the annex
Convents opened to beautiful cloisters.
CURIOSITY: Vignoli Bath: renowned thermal
locality, it is worth to take a bath in one thermal establishment. Its water
have important curable properties.
Sant’Antimo: the religious ceremonies
are of particular suggestion which are celebrated in Latin, together with
Gregorian songs in medieval music tones.
Montalcino: renowned locality for the
production of Brunello of Montalcino. It is good to make a break in one of the
many cellars in the territory.
4th
Day AREZZO (70 km journeys from Chianciano – 70
km from Siena)
Arezzo: the historic center is rich of
history and monuments from roman era. We will right away go on foot and visit
with the guide the Pieve of Saint Maria Assunta, a splendid example of Romanic
with a beautiful politic of Pietro Lorenzetti from Siena and the Grande Square
with the Vasari Loggias.
Don’t miss the church of S. Domenico
with the splendid “painted Cross” of Cimabue and the basilica of Saint
Francesco where tourists from all around the world arrive to admire the
Frescoes of Piero della Francesca.
A goodbye lunch based on typical local
products and return to the origin destination.
CURIOSITY: Arezzo: not everybody knows that
Arezzo was the set where Benigni filmed the movie “La vita è bella”.
Folklore: Saracino is the typical
medieval tournament of Arezzo; every first weekend of the month, there is also
the Fair of antiquities.