This first tour is the easiest, after your long journey to le Macinaie. Leave through the beautiful beech woods which enfold the mountain. We drive trought the beautiful medioeval Amiata village and then on to Sant’Antimo, a medieval abbey. We are crossing the Orcia valley, along the old Francigena (Cassia) road. Three Renaissance jewels follow in quick succession: San Quirico D’Orcia, Pienza and Montepulciano. Montepulciano is an extremely interesting place to visit and we shall lunch there in a traditional restaurant before visiting the old centre and having a wine tasting in one of the old cellars carved out of the rock. Then we follow the side of another famous Tuscan valley, emerging into a landscape redolent of pine. The road takes us first to Monte Cetona and then to Radicofani. From here there is a stunning view. Below us the Val D’Orcia and on the left, Monte Amiata. From Radicofani we shall make for Abbadia San Salvatore on an old and rather badly maintained but fascinating road. The eastern flank of Monte Amiata awaits us before to make one of the oldest roads takes us up to the volcano’s summit. The changes in colour as we go up the mountain are spectacular. With dinner we suggest tasting wines from Montalcino and Montepulciano. For the most spirited bikers there will be a short tour of the various villages on the mountain after dark, 40 k.ms. long, with stops in some popular pubs.
Photo by Sophie Schatter