The popular Steam Train of the Sienese Crete will be back in late September, after the summer break. Every year, the itineraries on the train are scheduled in Spring and Autumn, in combination with feasts, markets, fairs and other important events related to the products and traditions of the Sienese territory.
The first excursion is scheduled for September 25th when the train will run to Buonconvento, a nice medieval village near Montalcino, and passengers will participate in the local feast that celebrates the typical products of the territory.
On October 9th the train will reach the nice hamlet of Vivo D’Orcia for the feast dedicated to the delicious porcini mushrooms: a great opportunity to run through the splendid Valdorcia and the Crete on board of this historic means of transportation: the train will stop at Monte Amiata Station from where the passengers will take a bus to their destination; then the train will be back on October 16th to lead the passengers to Monte Amiata Station, and again from there, they will get by bus Abbadia San Salvatore, on the Mount Amiata, for the celebrations of the main product of this territory and season: chestnuts! Beyond the feast, the passengers will have the possibility to visit the Museum of the old mine, the Abbey giving the name to the hamlet, and the historic centre.
The next trip on October 23rd will reach Trequanda, an hamlet in the midst of the Sienese Crete, to celebrate the newly squeezed extra virgin olive oil, a fundamental product for all the Tuscan tables !
On October 3oth the trip will take the passengers to Montalcino, for one of the most popular Autumn event: the Sagra del tordo (the thrush festival). The Festival started over 50 years ago, when chasing thrush was very popular in the Tuscan countryside in Autumn, and dishes of thrush were accompanied on the table by a good glass of red wine. The thrush is now a protected species and is not anymore present in the menu, but Montalcino wine and typical food are not to be missed in the lively and happy atmosphere of the hamlet animated by the inhabitants in historical costumes. The train will depart from Siena, arrive in Torrenieri and then the bus will lead the passengers to Montalcino. The reverse will happen in the evening to come back to Siena.
On November 13th the train will get San Giovanni D’Asso for the popular White Truffle market. We went there and we enjoyed this experience really much: here’s the full post! On November 20th the trip will be repeated and this time the train will depart from Grosseto, instead of Siena.
On December 4th the steam train will take the passengers from Grosseto to Siena, where in the magic atmosphere of Piazza del Campo, they will walk through the annual edition of the old Market, with its numerous stalls of handcraft products and delicatessen: a nice opportunity to visit the town, stroll around its streets and make some shopping for the upcoming Christmas.
For the Festivity of December 8th, the train will take the passengers to another feast dedicated to the new olive oil to San Quirico d’Orcia. The train will depart from Siena and reach the small station of Torrenieri. From there the passengers will take a bus to get San Quirico. The trip back will be the same but in reverse order.
The last trip of 2016 will take place on Decempber 1oth when the train will arrive in Asciano, the capital of the Sienese Crete, where visitors will taste and discover the typical products of the area and the season, with the possibility to visit the museums of the village (dedicated to sacred art, Sienese peinture and Etruscan civilization).
The steam train will make you spend an enchanting day on board an authentic historic train, with a background noise made of whistles, puffs, squeaks and the pumping of the pistons. A great experience for adults, an unforgettable day for children! For the detailed itineraries, prices and reservations, http://www.terresiena.it/en/trenonatura/program (in Italian)
