Tour #9.2: Round Trip Tour by Four-in-Hand Shooting Break,
Siena–Maremma – Siena
13 days, 14 nights
Itinerary:
Day 1- 7: Please see the above itinerary of tour #9.1. Through Tuscany, from Siena to the Maremma.
Day 7: (Those joining the tour for the second half only are recommended to arrive via Rome or Florence airport, then to proceed by train to Grosseto, which is a railway station on the main line Rome – Geneva. From Grosseto you may take a taxi to Alberese, palazzo Granducale, distance about 12 km or make an appointment with us, to pick you up at the Grosseto railway station). We will meet during the late afternoon in Alberese, at the Palace of the Grand Duke (Palazzo Granducale), where room reservations will be made for you. We will have dinner together in a ristorante nearby. Overnight in the palace.
Day 8: Around 09.00 am the carriages will leave from the palace. Luggage transfer is included. Through very old pine avenues our way leads us into the hills above the coast line. First, across meadows and rough gravel tracks, then along a quiet tarmacked road. For lunch we look for a hidden picnic place or stop into a small tavern for pasta and wine. From some of these hilly roads we have marvelous vines down to the Tyrennic Sea. Finally we leave the road and on bumpy field tracks we drive down into a hidden valley. In front of us a huge medieval castle rises rightout of the ground. Built around the 11th century, the castle once protected the old road from Rome to Florence via Siena during those time when the Maremma was not viable due to the swamps and the malaria. For years an English couple has lovingly restored the castle using skill, knowledge and the old equalizer – money! Stylish rooms, cosy furniture, and a comfortable wine cellar will give us an ideal environment for a two night stay.
Day 9: a day of rest, with opportunity to visit the nearby town of Scansano, famous for its "Brunello" wine, and Etruscan tombs.
Day 10: In the morning the carriages are waiting in the castle's yard, to take us along quiet dirt roads above the Trasubbie River. We pass a small hamlet, Polveraia, finally ending up down the river, we stop for a picnic. The way leads up the hills again. We cross the River Ombrone by a bridge or a ford. A dusty track up a very steep hill to arrive at the private stud farm Poggio Caiano, where Signore Cavazzani breeds Hanoverian horses. A cottage with all comfort will host us for the night, and Signora Cavazzani will prepare a delicious dinner.
Day 11: A late morning departure from Poggio Caiano, following gravel roads to the fortified little village of Paganico. Depending on the height of the water in the Gretano River, we will either cross the river by a ford or we will use a bridge. Further-on lunch either will be a small tavern or on the banks of the River Ombrone. After crossing the river we will be in the "Brunello Land", home of one of the finest and most expensive wines in all of Italy. High above our route is the Castello Banfi (Poggio alle Mure), named after the noble Lady Teofila Banfi, who served as Head of Household for Pope Pius XI. Nowadays, the castle has been restored to a top level (and beyond!) and managed using most modern marketing methods by a joined venture of U.S., Italian, and Japanese investors. On the wide fields of the castles are grown the Brunello grapes as well as others for first class wines. Our overnight will be in the cottages of the Castello d’Argiano, a private vinery.
Day 12: Lonely tracks see us traveling, passing now and then a hidden castle or an abbey. We will picnic somewhere in the forest. A late afternoon arrival at an abandoned old farm, called "Aiale", one of sixteen farms belonging to the Castello di Tancredi. This time our accomodation will be very simple, but clean and with a lot of atmosphere, inside in front of the open fireplace as well as outside with a great view to the hills around Montalcino. The castle’s farm manager will welcome us with a drink, and a farmer’s wife out of the next door village will preare our meals. Quaint and not to be forgotten!
Day 13: After a good breakfast, we will leave the farm and travel along quiet gravel roads. The route takes us further and further out into the dense forests, passing abandoned farms and villages, crossing small creeks on narrow stone bridges, and climbung higher into the steep hills. Around noon we arrive at Vallerano, an abandoned fortified village; the fountain's still flowing, so we will stop here for a frugal picnic. We continue on small roads, climbing up the hills above the River Merse. Early evening will see us arriving at Via Maggio, a hidden place, where we will stay the night and enjoy a good meal.
Day 14: We leave Via Maggio in the morning, following a winding road through the forest. After some kilometers we bend off to the left and follow the dirt road down to the Merse River Valley. Flat country, gravel roads. We will have lunch in San Rocco a Pilli. Our afternoon route leads us through the hills south-west of Siena. We will stable the horses at the riding establishment and proceed to our accomodations in the Siena’s hotel "Castagneto". This hotel, a former villa in a spacious garden, has a wonderful view to the Citadel of Siena, where we will hold our farewell dinner. Here our tour terminates.
Day 15: After breakfast, guests will leave individually according to their own plans. To catch a flight in Florence, take a cab from the hotel to the motor coach station.
Included:
Minimum participants: 6, maximum participants: 15