BY STEAM TRAIN BETWEEN THE CRETE SENESI AND THE VAL D’ORCIA

NATURE TRAIN  (Treno Natura) – BY STEAM TRAIN BETWEEN THE CRETE SENESI AND THE VAL D’ORCIA

The station is certainly one of the most recurrent locations in the film industry and, remembering old classics or films set in the past, you can not think of the image of the track and steam train departing or arriving. How to deny the charm of the locomotive with its puffs of steam, its carriages so retro, its “slowness” able to further extend the greetings, increase the emotion of those in the distance waiting for a return, let the passengers linger on every detail of the landscape beyond the window.

Today it is still possible to immerse yourself in this vintage atmosphere thanks to the Nature Train, a steam train that will allow you to explore the Crete Senesi and the Val d’Orcia from a completely new perspective. In fact, it should not be forgotten that in addition to the charm of the train itself, the beauty of traveling lies in being able to cross some areas of this area of ​​Tuscany where there are often no roads, which means ensuring unique and absolutely unusual views.

THE TERRITORY

CRETE SENESI

The area of ​​the Crete Senesi extends to Siena and is characterized by landscapes where nature seems to totally dominate man. The characteristic grey-blue color is determined by the conspicuous amount of clay present in the ground that at a glance makes it similar to a lunar landscape. Barren hills, calanchi and biancane, some farms isolated on the heights. The vegetation is characterized by oaks, cypresses and pines, crops limited to corn and sunflower.
Municipalities: : Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d’Arbia,  Rapolano Terme, Trequanda

VAL D’ORCIA

What best describes the Val d’Orcia are the hills covered by a dense vegetation of vineyards, olive groves, cypresses, beech and chestnut woods, interrupted by ancient villages of medieval origin, rural houses and fortresses with impervious towers that are dispersed in this quiet and isolated area. It is a territory of ​​great gastronomic richness: honey, pecorino cheese, truffles, mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, cured meats and of course wine among which the famous Brunello di Montalcino stands out.
Municipalities: : Castiglione d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani e San Quirico d’Orcia

THE NATURE TRAIN

The “Nature Train” is the fantastic locomotive with original “centoporte” carriages of the time that will allow you to spend an alternative day in one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany. Usually the train leaves from Siena, plunges into the most beautiful Tuscan hills and arrives in one of the villages of the Sienese countryside where there is a fair, a flea market, a village festival or other events dedicated to the typical local area. In fact, train journeys are always combined with a particular event.

PROGRAM

Compared to the beginning the program has been very extended and this year, for example, it goes from March to December 8th. Here are some of the events of the season:

25 MARCH> SAN GIOVANNI D’ASSO – MONTALCINO
TRAIN OF MARZUOLO TRUFFLE
Scent of truffles in the Crete Senesi

02 APRIL> BUONCONVENTO
ANTIQUARIA REGIONAL FAIR “THINGS OF THE PAST”

22 APRIL> SAN QUIRICO D’ORCIA
ORCIA WINE FESTIVAL
Orcia DOC, the most beautiful wine in the world

25 APRIL> CASTIGLIONE D’ORCIA
SPRING IN VAL D’ORCIA
Authentic Experience

01 MAY> SANT’ANGELO SCALO – MONTALCINO
THE MAGGIOLATA
Welcome spring

13 MAY> ASCIANO
MARKET OF THE SENESI CRETE
Ancient tastes in the ancient lands

20 MAY> TORRENIERI – MONTALCINO
FESTIVAL OF THE TRAIN
To celebrate the story on the tracks

27 MAY> CHIUSI
THE TRAIN OF THE ETRUSCANS
Discovering the city of Porsenna

INFO AND CONTACTS
For information on programs, hourly updates and reservations, contact:
World Travel Agency – info@visionedelmondo.com – tel. +39 0577 480030577
Val d’Orcia Railway – treninvaldorcia@ferrovieturistiche.it – tel. +39 0577 207413

TIMETABLES
The train leaves at 8.55 from Siena and the return varies according to the route (between 17.45 / 18.45)

OBLIGATORY BOOKING – LIMITED SEATS

WHERE TO STAY

If a day immersed in the Crete Senesi does not seem enough, instead of returning to Siena in the day as expected by the program generally, you can extend your stay in a farmhouse in the valleys. We recommend the San Fabiano farmhouse.

Where: Monteroni d’Arbia (SI)

The San Fabiano farmhouse is located near Siena and offers apartments with kitchen, heated swimming pool and a common room with billiards, piano and an international library. What characterizes this place is the quiet that surrounds it, but it can be interspersed with many activities organized for guests: cooking lessons, drawing and ceramics, wine tasting, nature trails on the way of truffles, horseback riding and quad biking, archery. Curiosity of the place: at the request of the guests the apartments can be “made kosher”, from the crockery to the supply of food.