Unmissable places and activities for your tour in the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi starting from Podere Salicotto, our agriturismo.
Welcome to 2022 and welcome to new resolutions and new destinations to discover! Never before have the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi been so trendy: their beauty, the richness of the landscapes have now made them a real dream destination! The Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi are, without exaggerating, an open-air paradise: the very essence of Tuscany, with its views that have made this land so iconic and famous all over the world. Starting from our Podere Salicotto farmhouse you will be in the perfect position for a complete tour of the wonders of the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi.
If you are planning to come and visit us, we’d love to give you our advice on this year’s unmissable must-haves. Here is a list of the unmissable places and activities that you just can’t miss in this 2022 to visit the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi!
1. A TOUR BY BIKE THROUGH THE HILLS OF THE CRETE SENESI AND THE VAL D’ORCIA
If you are a lover of two wheels (super green and healthy activity), these lands are the perfect destination for cyclists of all levels! Not only will you be in a very central position, but at Podere Salicotto we will be happy to provide you with all the information you need for your excursions. You can rent your e-bikes or mountain bikes which will be delivered directly to you here. Furthermore, you will find a garage dedicated to the maintenance of your bikes. Click HERE and HERE to discover some unmissable bike itineraries.
Depending on your level you can choose between road or dirt routes of different lengths, but we assure you that the view will be breathtaking and it will be really worth it!
For fans of vintage and off road paths, do not miss the Eroica, a cycling event of about 200 km that takes place on dirt roads with participants exclusively riding vintage bicycles with vintage clothing. Alternatively in April, the Nova Eroica is held, the route of which starts from Buonconvento, which also hosts the event, just 3 km from our Podere Salicotto farmhouse. If you love two wheels you are in the perfect place!
2. A WINE TASTING IN A BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO WINE CELLAR
Brunello di Montalcino needs no introduction: one of the most famous and renowned Tuscan (and Italian) wines in the world is produced here. The tasting in one of the Brunello cellars is practically mandatory! Take a couple of hours to find out how one of the excellences of this land is born and produced: a nice glass of Brunello and ideally a nice view of the city will create the perfect aperitif!
Just 15 km from Podere Salicotto, the village of Montalcino stands on a hill overlooking the valleys, among oak gardens and vineyards. Inside the city walls there is a continuous discovery of characteristic monuments such as the fortress of the fourteenth century: here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding views from its stone ramparts. Also do not miss the heart of the village: Piazza del Popolo, where you will find the town hall and the churches of Sant’Agostino and Sant’Egidio waiting for you. Furthermore, here at Podere Salicotto we have our own cellar where you can taste prestigious labels, from Rosso to Riserva di Brunello without forgetting the IGT! Click HERE for more information. You will have free access 24 / 24H to our cellar and obviously we will be more than happy to recommend some of the best wineries where you can have fantastic tastings.
3. BETWEEN GREGORIAN CHANTS AND OLIVE GROVES: THE ABBEY OF MONTE OLIVETO MAGGIORE
Just twenty minutes away from our Podere Salicotto farmhouse, in the municipality of Asciano, you will find a real gem: the Benedictine abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Cross the drawbridge, whilst enjoying the surrounding landscape, to visit the richly frescoed church and refectory. You will hear the Gregorian chants of the monks as you visit the library, where there are around 40,000 restored volumes and scrolls. In addition, you can taste the wine and typical products of the Abbey’s farm. For more information on the Abbey click HERE.
4. THERMAL RELAX IN RAPOLANO
And now finally a well-deserved relaxation awaits you… An unmissable must on every trip here is to allow yourself a few hours of total relaxation at the spa! Here there are several thermal sites, each one truly more beautiful than the next: in the Crete Senesi you will find Rapolano Terme (30 km away from our farmhouse). In the two establishments Terme di San Giovanni and Terme Antica Querciolaia you will find many wellness proposals for the well-being and care not only of the body, but also of the mind. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a totally natural spa site, go to the Val d’Orcia to discover Bagni San Filippo. Get ready to admire this natural work of art: you will discover these white limestone formations that enclose the very hot thermal waters, which can therefore be visited in all seasons. Immerse yourself in one of the many pools, from where you will discover the beautiful waterfalls in the woods, in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. Relax and nature, what more could you want? If you want to find out more about the thermal sites in the area, click HERE.
5. TAKE THE NATURE PHOTO OF THE YEAR
There are many, many iconic and unmissable places to photograph in Val d’Orcia and in the Crete Senesi:
a) The winding road dotted with cypresses in the Crete Senesi, SP 60 towards Asciano.
b) Still in the Crete Senesi and continuing from Asciano towards Siena you will find the Strada Leonina, where you will find another fantastic road surrounded by cypresses and the Site Transitoire, a suggestive sculptural work by the French artist Jean-Paul Philippe. At sunset, climb to the top of the hill that houses the sculpture, sit on the stone throne and enjoy the beautiful view.
c) Returning to Podere Salicotto and proceeding towards San Quirico d’Orcia, venture into the characteristic hills of the Val d’Orcia: here you will find the fantastic groves of cypresses, one of the symbols of this land.
Are you ready to visit us now? Then you just have to decide the dates, pack your bags… and come and visit us at Podere Salicotto! Our Besafe rate guarantees cancellation for unforeseen events and offers a refund of up to 100% of the prepaid amount. Now you really have no more excuses, we are waiting for you! Find out more about the rate for Besafe HERE.
Find out HERE and HERE other tips on what to visit in the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi.
