Here is a nice idea for visit Tuscany in a different way! (from Tuscany Region Website)
The nature train passes through Tuscany:
From March to December, you can discover the
Terre di Siena thanks to
sixteen ‘slow’ itineraries on a vintage train. The
vintage train is the perfect means of transport to slowly savor the uniqueness of Tuscany’s landscape, traditions, art and culture.
The
2013 edition of the Nature Train allows tourists to appreciate uncommon itineraries, the beauty of the landscapes and enjoy a host of special events that will welcome guests at each destination. Each itinerary on the Nature Train, in fact, is combined with fairs, festivals, exhibitions, markets and initiatives, which aim to combine rides with a visits to
discover excellent local foods and the extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage of the province of Siena. This excursion is perfect for Italian and foreign guests and, in particular,
families with children. The trip takes place on a
vintage locomotive steam train, which takes visitors into the territories of the
Crete Senesi, the
Val d’Orcia and
Monte Amiata, making stops at traditional feasts and festivals dedicated to truffles, mushrooms, olive oil and wine, chestnuts and cheeses.
[Photo Credits: Frank Andiver]
The first itinerary of the program is in
San Giovanni d’Asso (March 10), which explores a local delicacy – the March truffles. In
April , the next stop is in
Buonconvento, where guests can stroll through the alleys and the squares of the pretty town in search of unique objects from the past at the Antique Fair (Sunday, April 1st). The program continues in
Castiglione d’Orcia, near the Rocca di Tentennano, overlooking the valley from a large rock of limestone (Thursday, April 25) and then in
San Quirico d’Orcia to taste the excellent wines of the Orcia Valley along the Via Francigena (Sunday, April 28).
In
May, the Nature Train presents four new itineraries: the traditional
Maggiolata di Sant’Angelo Scalo, in the municipality of Montalcino, is characterized by music, market stalls and good food (Wednesday, May 1); the special edition of the Mercatino delle Crete di
Asciano to taste a special pecorino (Sunday, May 12); the Festa del Treno (Feast of the train) in
Torrenieri to discover the small village found along the Via Francigena and browse the stalls selling organic food products and local crafts (Sunday, May 19); and the flavors of spring in
Sant’Angelo Scalo, with bus transfer to Monte Amiata to enjoy cherries and wine (Sunday, May 26).
[Photo Credits: Frank Andiver]
The rides on the Nature Train end on Sunday,
October 13 at
Vivo d’Orcia, with the flavors of autumn, and on Sunday,
December 15 in
Siena to visit the museums, towers and squares of the city of the Palio.
The
full program of the 16 itineraries is available at
www.trenonatura.terresiena.it. Each route of the Nature Train lasts the whole day and upon arrival at each station there will be a bus service to the various places. The steam train ticket costs
29 euro for adults and it is
free for children up to 10 years (without the right to a seat, accompanied by at least one paying adult). For
groups, there is a free ticket for every 25 people paying. A reservation is required and the registration fee for each participant is € 3.
[Photo Credits: Frank Andiver]
For
information:
www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Ferrovia Val d’Orcia:
treninvaldorcia@ferrovieturistiche.it tel. 0577 207413 / 338 8992577
Agenzia Viaggi Visione del mondo: e-mail:
info@visionedelmondo.com tel. 0577 48003
Terre di Siena:
- Siena Piazza del Campo, 56, phone 0577 280551/0577 283004; fax 0577 270676, email incoming@terresiena.it;
- Chianciano Terme, Piazza Italia, 67, phone 0578 671122 and 0578 671123, fax 0578 63277, e-mail prenota@terresiena.it,
- Abbadia San Salvatore, Via Adua, 21, phone 0577 77581, fax 0577 775877, email infoamiata@terresiena.it.
