San Quirico d'Orcia, Southern Tuscany
Our Classic Walking and Sightseeing holidays to southern Tuscany in Italy
offer relaxing walks through the rolling green and golden hills and visits to
fascinating hilltop towns. Guided walks through this enchanting landscape pass
through traditional farms and vineyards. Sightseeing visits include the wonderfully
preserved city of Siena and the charming hilltop towns of Pienza
and Montepulciano.
The ancient walled village of San Quirico lies at the heart of the Orcia
Valley. Explore the narrow cobbled streets and soak up the peaceful ambience of
rural Italy.
- Countryside walks through local
vineyards
- Visit historic hill-towns and the
city of Siena
- Two-centre option with Norcia
Detailed information
| Classic Walking
& Sightseeing Programme Details |
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On these holidays there is a choice of two guided walks of varying difficulty each day.
ITINERARY
Day 1: arrival day |
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Day 2: walk through classic Tuscan countryside of
gently undulating hills to the forgotten Vatican town of
Pienza with its splendid Renaissance architecture.
Day 3: wander over undulating wooded hills and
farmland to the mighty castle at Rocca d’Orcia which
commands one of the best all round views of Tuscany.
Day 4: take a full day excursion to Siena where a short
walk from the fortress will take you past magnificent
buildings including the cathedral, the 320ft Torre del
Mangia bell tower and the Museo Civico.
Day 5: visit the pretty village of Monticchiello and from
here cross the green and golden hills to Montepulciano,
the highest hill-town in the region.
Day 6: free day - options include an excursion to San
Gimignano with its breathtaking skyline of towers.
Day 7: walk from the hilltop town of Montalcino through
forest and vineyards to the ancient Abbey of San Antimo.
Day 8: departure day |
Please Note: The above programme should give you a good feel for the
walks at this resort but is subject to change. Each year we listen carefully to
the views of our guests and make improvements to our walking programmes. Further
information will be sent to you prior to your holiday; however the final selection
of walks will be made by your walking leaders.
Local transport to and from walks:
Local transport is not included in the cost of your holiday.
Please allow €80 (approx £55) per week for local
transport and admissions, excluding your free day.
Maps
Your leaders will of course carry all the necessary maps.
However if you would like one for your own personal enjoyment
then the best map of the local area is the 1:25,000 'Sentieri
Della Provinca di Siena' entitled 'Val d'Orcia'. Maps can
be obtained by mail order from The Map Shop, Tel: 01684 593146.
Alternatively all the local maps can be bought from the tourist
office in San Quirico.
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| Footpath information |
|
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Easier Walks: 5 to 7 miles with 100ft to 900ft of ascent in a day. |
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Harder Walks: 8 to 10 miles with 650ft to 1,600ft of ascent in a day. |
Walks use generally well-graded country lanes, tracks and paths with occasional short steep sections to
reach hilltop towns.
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| Dates and prices |
|
| Sat3, 10, 17, 24, 31 May 2008 |
£775 |
£529 |
| Sat 7, 14, 21 June 2008 |
£775 |
£529 |
| Sat 30 August 2008 |
£775 |
£529 |
| Sat 6, 13, 20, 27 September 2008 |
£775 |
£529 |
Single room supplement: £7 per night
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| Climate Information |
|
| May |
23°C |
23°C |
8 |
67mm |
| June |
26°C |
14°C |
9 |
61mm |
| September |
26°C |
14°C |
7 |
73mm |
| October |
20°C |
10°C |
5 |
77mm |
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| Travel to resort |
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Transfer from airport - If you book this holiday 'with
flight' you will arrive at Rome airport. The onward journey
to San Quirico d'Orcia takes approximately 3hours.
Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 21/08/2007 (provisional)
British Airways
Heathrow - Rome
Out 12:40 - 16:15
Return 13:40 - 15:20
Jet2
Manchester - Rome Fiumicino
Out 06:50 - 10:35
Return 11:20 - 13:15
Manchester flight supplement: on request.
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Making your own travel arrangements
Flights to Rome Leonardo Da Vinci Airport: This is Rome's principle airport (also known as Fiumicino).
www.ba.com flights from Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester.
www.alitalia.com flights from Heathrow.
www.jet2.com flights from Manchester & Leeds Bradford.
www.bmibaby.com flights from Biringham.
• The easiest option is to join the HF Holidays' transfer (supplement £25 single). Please contact our Reservations Dept to book your place. The HF Holidays coach is timed to connect with the
flight times above.
• Alternatively take a direct train to Rome's main Termini station by train (every 30 minutes, cost €9.50 single). From Termini station you should catch a train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme or Siena, and from here a bus to San Quirico (see below).
Flights to Rome Ciampino Airport: Rome's second airport is used by the low-cost airlines and charter flights:
www.easyjet.com flights from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick & Newcastle.
www.ryanair.com flights from East Midlands, Glasgow Prestwick, Liverpool, Luton, Stansted, Shannon & Dublin.
• One option is to cross the city to Leonardo da Vinci Airport to meet the HF Holidays' coach transfer. Please contact our Reservations Dept to book your place on the coach to San Quirico and to find out the latest times.
• Alternatively take the 'Terravision' shuttle bus to Termini station. These run at regular intervals throughout the day cost €8 single - see www.terravision.it. From Termini station you should catch a train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme or Siena, and from here a bus to San Quirico (see below).
Flights to Pisa Airport: Pisa Airport is marginally closer to San Quirico and has a good range of 'low-cost' and scheduled flights.
www.ryanair.com flights from Bournemouth, Doncaster, East Midlands, Stansted, Liverpool & Glasgow Prestwick.
www.easyjet.com flights from Bristol & Gatwick.
www.jet2.com flights from Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle & Leeds Bradford.
www.ba.com flights from Gatwick.
• Pisa Airport has its own railway station and you should catch a train from here to Siena, which will require a change at Empoli. Finally a bus journey will complete the journey to San Quirico.
By Train: If you are travelling from the north then nearest main station to San Quirico is at Siena. From the south it is probably best to head to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, about 30 miles to the east of San Quirico. For train times and further information visit the Italian railways website: www.trenitalia.com, click English on top line.
Buses to San Quirico: From Siena you should take the no. 112 bus to San Quirico, a journey of about an hour. Buses leave from the railway station and there are approximately 6 buses per day. Timetables can be found at www.trainspa.it.
From Chiusi-Chianciano Terme you should first take the T2 to Montepulciano, these leave from outside the station. Change in Montepulciano for the no. 112 bus to San Quirico. Alternatively a taxi from Chiusi Chianciano Station to the hotel would cost around €55.
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| What the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class air travel - 'with flight' option.
- Airport transfers - 'with flight' option.
- 7 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms.
- Half Board - Breakfast & evening meals
- Services of two HF Holidays' leaders.
- 5 guided walks or sightseeing visits.
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