TRAIN NATURE: A proposal for a travel itinerary around Siena.
Posted on 29. Jul, 2010 by admin in Archive, Itineraries
The TRENO NATURA – or Nature Train is a relaxing way of enjoying a day immersed in the splendid countryside around Siena.
TRENO NATURA isn’t a vehicle or a means of transport but is more a time machine.
Enjoy the undeniable thrill of climbing on board those old carriages pulled by a real steam locomotive just like those that our grandparents used — accompanied by an orchestra of whistles, puffs and the noise of pistons creaking and cranking.
From Spring to Autumn, this old-style train leaves every Sunday from Siena to penetrate the valleys of Arbia, Orcia and Le Crete or the clay-clay Tuscan hills.
You can get off at little-known stations to reach hidden villages and castles or pay a visit to one of the 34 museums in the Siena region or quite simply, enjoy a good glass of wine in a farmhouse or roadside bar or even participate in one of the local feasts or celebrations for the local harvest or saint.
Here is an itinerary not to be missed:
After passing Asciano station, the train goes through the fascinating eroded hills surrounding the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. From Trequanda the tracks pass through the rolling hills of the classical Siena clay countryside to reach the village of San Giovanni d’Asso which is dominated by its medieval castle. Leaving behind the monumental station of Torrenieri-Montalcino build in 1865, our train now enters the green vine-covered hills of the precious Brunello wine.
On the right of the railway tracks you will see the outline of Montalcino in the distance. After the Casalta tunnel, the railway enters the Val d’Orcia to reach the little village of Monte Amiata Scalo. On the right you will see the small hamlet of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, built near the ancient Abbey of Sant’Antimo just before reaching the little station of Sant’Angelo-Cinigiano.
In the Maremma the Treno Natura passes under the walls of Poggio le Mura — home to the glass-making museum — then crosses the Ombrone river to arrive at the station of Monte Antico then later, Rocca di Radicofani and Monte Cetona. After leaving the medieval village of Montepescali behind, the railway goes through hills with their borders outlined by military-like rows of cypress trees.
To the East we have a view of Monte Amiata, the highest extinct volcano in Italy.
There are many itinerary, most of them unusual but all unforgettable for the intense beauty of the countryside. A romantic and unusual experience of a steam train through the suggestive Siena countryside: discover for yourself the beauty of Siena and the surroundings with the rhythm of times gone by.
Info and bookings: Treno Natura
Sonia Balzato
Jul 30th, 2010
Non sapevo dell’esistenza di questa bellissima iniziativa, sicuramente la terrò a mente per la prossima vacanza a Siena. Grazie della segnalazione!