Our Itineraries
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Walking in the Val d’Orcia with La Selvella
(19th– 26th May 2007)

La Selvella offers the marvellous opportunity of discovering the natural wonders of the Val d’Orcia on foot. With an experienced guide explore the unforgettable countryside around Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia and Radicofani, the five commune which make up the Nature and Cultural Park of the Valley of the River Orcia, situated in the south of the province of Siena.

Indulge your senses, through woods of beech and oak, olive groves and vineyards, stately avenues of cypresses, the stunning colours of spring, wild orchids, rape, sage, fragrant broom and autumn’s molten browns and golds.

Take the medieval highway the Via Francigena and follow in the footsteps of princes and paupers en route to the Eternal City, Delight in the sight of pheasant and falcons, hare and deer. Relax in the thermal waters of San Casciano dei Bagni, Bagni San Filippo or Bagno Vignoni, all enjoyed since Roman times by Emperors and Popes, Saint Catherine of Siena and Lorenzo the Magnificent for their therapeutic properties.

Visit one of the wineries of Montalcino and sample one of Italy’s most valued wines, the Brunello of Montalcino. And of course tantalise your taste buds with one of the world’s best known cuisines. Pecorino cheese, extra virgin olive oil dribbled over freshly toasted bread, home-made pasta served with truffles or a hare sauce, hearty soups, wild boar stew, porcini mushrooms, asparagus and artichokes and mouth-watering deserts all accompanied by the fine wines that this area has to offer.

The holiday begins on Saturday when our guests are collected from Chiusi station on Saturday afternoon and enjoy a short drive through stunning scenery to the warmth and hospitality of La Selvella where they will meet their hostess, Marina and her family, and will have time to relax before meeting for a drink and a chat before dinner. Here your guide will explain the week’s itinerary and answer any questions before sampling the first of the week’s memorable meals. Special diets can be catered for.

• The walks range from 6 to 10 miles daily over terrain which varies from cart tracks to woodland footpaths and will be both flat and hilly.
• There are no more than 7 people plus the guide taking part in the walk.
• Maps of the area will be given.
• La Selvella employs an experienced, English speaking guide with a good knowledge of the area, its customs and culture.
• Transport will be available to take the guests to the start of the walk and to collect them again at the end of the day.
• A picnic lunch or a light lunch in a restaurant is included.
• The week will also include a visit to a winery, a thermal pool and a lesson with Marina making ‘Pici’ the home-made spaghetti typical of this area.
• At the end of the afternoon guests can relax in the sauna, and for those with energy to spare there is a tennis court available.
• Every evening a 4 course meal of tasty Tuscan dishes will be served with wine from La Selvella.

On Saturday morning guests will be accompanied to Chiusi Station which is well connected for travelling to Rome, Florence, Siena, Perugia and Orvieto. There is also an Avis car rental office for those wishing to hire a car.

Closing date for bookings: 30th April 2007

Price: Euro 800,00 (eight hundred euro) per person.
For smaller or larger groups prices on request.
This price includes:
- continental breakfast
- lunch (no wine)
- dinner (half a litre of house wine per person is included with the dinner, water and coffee)
water during the walks
- 1 cookery lesson
- a map of the area
- 1 wine tasting
- admission to a fortress
- admission to a hot water spa
- a guide
- transport from and to Chiusi train station
- transport to the start of the walks and at the end of the walks.

This price is for a group of minimum 7 people.
For smaller or larger groups prices on request.
This price does not include accommodation.

Detailed Itinerary on Request