4 NIGHT - “DISCOVERY” STAY
Day 1
Welcome to Montalcino and to Capanna Suites. From here you can visit all the most beautiful and famous areas of Tuscany.
But before immersing yourself in the beauty of this land, allow yourself the luxury of dedicating time to yourself. Reserve your Spa entrance time and enjoy the exclusive use of our heated hydro-massage pool, sauna, Turkish bath and color therapy shower. You can also book a luxurious massage in this refined and private ambiance.
In just a few minutes you can reach Montalcino and visit this splendid city that is the birthplace of the famous Brunello di Montalcino red wine. Take a nice walk from the Fortezza to Piazza Garibaldi, where you can admire the plaques listing the star rating of each Brunello vintage. Continue on to the medieval Piazza del Popolo, where you’ll find the imposing Palazzo dei Priori.
We recommend an aperitif at one of the cafes or wine bars, many have incredible views from their windows or terraces over the beautiful Val d’Orcia. You can stay for dinner at one of the restaurants in town, we are happy to recommend one based on our long experience.
Day 2
After breakfast, enjoy a walk near Capanna Suites before heading to Capanna Winery, where our story began.
Here we will welcome you with open arms and show you how we make our wines, including of course the famous Brunello. At the end of your cellar tour, you’ll have a tasting of our products, learning how to taste and enjoy them to the fullest, also by combining them with other delicacies.
From here you can head out by car towards San Quirico d’Orcia. As you drive, keep an eye out for the famous cypress trees of San Quirico, an iconic image of the Val d’Orcia and all of Tuscany.
San Quirico d’Orcia is located along the Via Francigena pilgrim route and it’s very common to see pilgrims who’ve stopped here for a break or overnight stay.
Consider stopping for a stroll in the Horti Leonini Public Gardens, one of the most incredible Italian-style gardens often used as an exhibition space for national and international artists.
If you arrive here at lunchtime, you’ll have a wide range of restaurants and wine shops to choose from where you can taste local dishes paired with great local wines.
Continuing south, stop to check out Bagno Vignoni, a splendid village characterized by the thermal water pool that takes up almost the entire main square of the village, Piazza delle Sorgenti.
If you want to discover another splendid thermal spring area you can continue on south until you arrive to Bagni di San Filippo, where, after a short hike, you will reach the famous Fosso Bianco, nicknamed the “White Whale” for its enormous white form.
Once you’ve returned to Capanna Suites, relax and enjoy a delicious dinner at our restaurant, Il Passaggio, will a menu filled with refined local dishes paired with our wines.
Day 3
Take advantage of the great location of Capanna Suites and continue to explore this beautiful area as well as the bordering areas. This morning we recommend going to Chianciano Terme for a “dive” into the relaxing world of these famous thermal springs. This now modern town has Etruscan origins and a splendid historic city center, as well as one of the most beautiful and important Etruscan museums.
Next head to Montepulciano, home of Nobile di Montepulciano wine. The center is home to numerous historic underground wine cellars which offer tastings where you can become familiar with this excellent red wine.
It’s interesting to walk through the streets of the town and see the Florentine symbols, in fact Montepulciano was a longtime ally of Florence and enemy of Siena.
You’ll have a vast choice of restaurants and wine bars where you can stop for lunch or a quick bite to eat, or we can make a reservation for you in one of the wineries that organize tours with a lunch or large snack paired with their wines.
From Montepulciano it’s very easy to reach Pienza, the “ideal city” of Pope Pius II. Walking along the small streets of the historic city center of this town, which is an incredible example of architectural planning, is an incredible sensory experience. You can smell the aromas of the cheeses displayed in the shops as it fills the air. Feel free to stop and ask for a taste of cheese paired with jams and honeys, or of course taste a delicious gelato. You can admire the breathtaking landscapes and hear languages from around the world being spoken.
When you return to Capanna Suites, why not enjoy a refreshing dip in the splendid panoramic pool before enjoying dinner with wine pairing at our restaurant, Il Passaggio.
Day 4
Today we recommend visiting the marvelous city of Siena, a gothic jewel and the city of the famous Palio horserace.
Siena, of Etruscan and Roman origins, experienced the height of its splendor from the end of the 1200s to the beginning of the 1300s, thanks to its perfect position along the Via Francigena and on the main commercial routes of the time. Today the city has an important university and plenty of commerce and is an obligatory stop for those who love the history and beauty of Tuscany.
The Palio di Siena is an ancient horserace held twice a year (July 2nd and August 16th) in the Piazza del Campo and is the most important event for the citizens of Siena. Most residents are part of a Contrada neighborhood and take part in the special contrada activities all year round.
For lunch, you’ll have an incredible selection of restaurants, osterias and wine bars that offer typical local dishes from ribollita in the winter to panzanella in the summer, from classic pici all’aglione to Florentine steak served very rare.
In the afternoon, you can explore the Crete Senesi hills that completely morph during each of the seasons. From the lunar landscapes in the late summer to the bright green grass in May and June, the Crete Senesi always surprise with their unquestionable beauty.
Also not to be missed is a visit to the Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey where you can admire the magnificent series of frescoes depicting the life of San Benedetto.
Once you have returned to Capanna Suites, set aside time for yourself in our Spa, enjoying a restful experience focusing on your wellbeing, letting your muscles relax in our hydro-massage pool, our sauna or Turkish bath, and reawakening your senses with a sensory shower.
For dinner you can chose to return to our restaurant, Il Passaggio, or head to one of the many local restaurants we are happy to recommend.
Day 5
Today take one last dip in our pool with its awe-inspiring view of the Val d’Orcia. After check out from Capanna Suites, we recommend heading north to visit the splendid Chianti Classico and Vernaccia wine regions.
The Chianti Classico wine region includes the Municipalities of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti and Greve in Chianti as well as Poggibonsi, Barberino, Tavernelle and San Casciano in Val di Pesa.
As you can imagine, this area is full of wineries and producers of extra virgin olive oil and many of them offer tours and tastings. Some of the more exclusive or famous wineries require reservations for tastings, lunches or cooking classes. Our staff is happy to share with you our list of recommended wineries.
You can continue your travels in the world of wine by heading over to San Gimignano, the home of Vernaccia, an excellent white wine produced exclusively in this area. The city of San Gimignano is known for its majestic medieval towers, 14 of the 72 original towers still stand today. In the historic city center be sure not to miss a visit to the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, whose austere exterior houses paintings of inestimable value inside.
7 NIGHT “TAKE YOUR TIME” STAY
Day 1
You will receive a very warm welcome at Capanna Suites, where you can relax, spend time in nature and explore the most beautiful and iconic areas of Tuscany.
You can begin to get acquainted with our facilities by taking a swim in our pool with its unique panoramic view where your Tuscany dream vacation finally becomes a reality.
Take advantage right away of your exclusive access to the Spa and relax in the warm hydro-massage pool, the sauna, Turkish bath or the color therapy shower.
After relaxing, indulge yourself in an excellent dinner at our restaurant, Il Passaggio, tasting our delicious dishes paired with our wines, an authentic Tuscan culinary and wine full-immersion experience.
Day 2
Today you’re invited to visit the Capanna Winery, where we produce our wines, extra virgin olive oil and different types of grappa. We’ll introduce you to the world of wine, the growing and production methods and of course the best food pairings.
By following an interesting circular route, leaving from Capanna, you can reach the majestic Sant’Antimo Abbey in just a few minutes, which is located south of Montalcino.
You’ll be charmed by the magical atmosphere of the Abbey, with its Romanesque style and long history that begins with Charlemagne in 781.
From here, you can continue on to Castiglione d’Orcia and the Rocca di Tentennano, from where you can admire the beauty of the Val d’Orcia.
Returning north, you can stop at Bagno Vignoni, a charming town with a main square occupied by an antique thermal spring pool. This very unique place was the set of many films including Tarkovskij’s “Nostalghia,” a Cannes Film Festival winner.
Continuing north, we recommend a stop in San Quirico d’Orcia to visit this vibrant city that’s full of restaurants and wine bars. Here you can try different types of wine accompanied by a tasting of local products. The Horti Leonini, at the heart of the town, is a splendid example of an Italian-style garden that’s great to visit.
After returning to Capanna, relax and enjoy a delicious dinner with Tuscan dishes and our wines. If you chose to dine more than once during your stay at our restaurant, Il Passaggio, we’ll take care to propose new combinations each time made from the excellent local products and refined Tuscan dishes.
Day 3
The first stop of the day is the town of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to Pecorino sheep cheese, which is known around the world as an architectural gem. This wonderful cheese is sure to delight any palate with its many different flavors.
Leaving Capanna Suites, take the SP146 towards Pienza, keeping an eye out for another Tuscan landscape icon, the Vitaleta Chapel.
After strolling through the town center, stopping in the small shops that offer samples of the cheeses with different pairings, you can head toward the home of Nobile di Montepulciano wine.
This lively town, a Renaissance gem of rare beauty, is filled with historic winery cellars some of which are located underground. If you are interested in a tour and tasting lunch, we’d be happy to recommend one of the wineries we have personally selected for our guests.
After leaving Montepulciano, head north until you encounter the cute town of Sinalunga, filled with art protected within the walls of the numerous churches.
From there you’ll reach Rapolano Terme, which as the name suggests is a city known for its exceptional thermal springs. We recommend taking advantage of the services of the wonderful thermal resorts located just outside the city center. The natural thermal spring water will certainly be beneficial for your body and spirit.
And now you’re almost in the heart of the Crete Senesi, a less frequented area that is beautiful in every season and shows a different side of itself in each type of weather. You will find a lunar landscape in August and lush green grasses in May, but it is always guaranteed to be beautiful.
This is also the home of truffles! We suggest a stop for dinner in San Giovanni d’Asso, the local capital of truffles where you can taste the delicious gourmet treat in many of the local dishes.
Day 4
Dedicate this day to Siena, the wonderful city of the Palio horserace, of the contrade neighborhoods, of a university and a long history beginning with the Etruscans and Romans.
Along the road to Siena, you’ll find one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Buonconvento, where time stands still in the small streets of the center. Buonconvento is an important stop along the famous “Eroica” bike race that today has become a dedicated route with permanent signage along the dirt roads of the Siena province. You might also note some pilgrims on foot or bike because Buonconvento is a stop on the Via Francigena.
But let’s get back to Siena, a gothic gem of incredible beauty. The Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horserace is run, has a unique shell shape and is the very heart of the city. Here, in fact, they hold concerts, special markets and all the most important events for the people of Siena.
Looking onto the Piazza del Campo is the Town Hall, which houses the municipality offices as well as the Civic Museum where there are many different and extraordinary works of art. It is definitely worth a stop to contemplate the World Map Room or “The Allegory of Good and Bad Government” to take in all the details of Lorenzetti's masterpiece which is still relevant after all this time.
We recommend having lunch in one of the osterias in the center where you will find simple but high-quality food.
To see the city from a different point of view, climb the Torre del Mangia (400 steps) or the “facciatone” facade of the Museo dell’Opera, an uncompleted project which was supposed to be the new facade of the Cathedral.
Be sure not to miss a visit to the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral and the Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, housed in an ancient hospital for pilgrims walking the Via Francigena.
Siena is also home to Saint Catherine of Siena, a tiny woman with incredible strength of character who is the patron saint of Italy and Europe.
After a day immersed in culture, relax in our Spa, reserving your exclusive access for an hour of exceptional relaxation and pampering.
For dinner, we’ll be happy to recommend one of our selected restaurants in the local area or welcome you to our own restaurant, Il Passaggio.
Day 5
If you want to learn more about the benefits of Tuscan thermal spring water, today you can visit Chianciano Terme. The city boasts a splendid recent past, in fact in the Sixties and Seventies it was the favorite destination of politicians, artists and famous people who enjoyed long vacations to relax and be cured in the rich, healing waters. Don’t be intimidated by the town’s modern look, instead head to the recently renovated thermal bath resort for a memorable sensory experience. There are also lots of great restaurants in the area!
Going south you’ll find Sarteano, a village of undisputed charm that is on the border between Val d’Orcia and the Val di Chiana.
Go until you reach Cetona, a beautiful village perched on a hill overlooking the Val di Chiana. Here you can take a pleasant walk through the picturesque streets until you reach the castle with incredible views of the amazing panorama.
Not far from Cetona is the town of Chiusi. The town played an important role in the Etruscan period and today still has incredible treasures of its past. The most famous treasure is the Porsenna Labyrinth, consisting of a series of tunnels spread out under the oldest part of the city.
Day 6
The world famous Chianti Classico area is easily reached from Capanna Suites in less than an hour by car. Head north and go past Siena until you arrive to the Monteriggioni exit. Get off the highway for the opportunity to visit this marvelous fortress that still today has perfectly maintained its medieval charm and majestic walls.
From here you can continue on to Castellina in Chianti and reach the town center where you can poke around the artisan shops and wine bars, as well as visiting the prestigious Chianti Archaeology Museum.
Continuing on along the back roads of the Chianti, you’ll reach Radda in Chianti, a delightful village to visit and experience. This was the headquarters of the Lega del Chianti, a military and administrative institution that had the Gallo Nero (Black Rooster) as its symbol. Castellina, Radda and Gaiole in Chianti were all part of the Lega and are today municipalities that best represent the Siena portion of the Chianti.
Gaiole in Chianti is the next village and we recommend you visit because, even if it is not the most charming of the villages, in recent years it has become more important and more visited thanks to wine and bike tourism. The “Eroica” bike race winds through the unpaved roads and has the peculiarity of being done using vintage bikes and clothing.
Near Gaiole there are also many of the most beautiful castles in the province of Siena, among them Castello di Brolio and Castello di Meleto.
We haven’t mentioned where to have lunch during this day, but this area is full of osterias, restaurants and wineries that offer tours, tastings and lunches filled with various types of local products. Based on where you are at lunchtime, you can stop just about anywhere because it’s really easy to find a good place to eat in this area.
Upon returning to Capanna Suites, relax with a dip in the pool before dinner on the property or head to another of the restaurants in the area, we’re happy to suggest one of our favorites.
San Gimignano is also a stop on what everyone says is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Via Francigena that leads to Colle di Val d’Elsa. This second city has medieval origins and was the birthplace of Arnolfo di Cambio, an innovative architect who is responsible for the Duomo in Florence among other works.
Colle di Val d’Elsa is known around the world for its production of crystal and it is sometimes possible to see the master artisans at work on their masterpieces.
A charming walk in the old part of the city will take you along streets with artisan shops, restaurants, bars and pastry shops filled with the local “Colligiani,” as the residents of the town are called.
Upon your return to Capanna Suites take advantage of exclusive use of our Spa, let yourself relax in the warm embrace of the water of our hydro-massage pool, the sauna, the Turkish bath and the color therapy shower.
Tonight enjoy a delicious dinner at our restaurant, Il Passaggio, with high-quality cuisine paired with excellent wines.
Day 7
The first wine to receive the DOC status in Italy was Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a dry white wine with fruity notes. It can only be obtained from vines located in the San Gimignano countryside, which is located about an hour north of Capanna Suites by car. The beautiful medieval town has maintained intact its charm over the centuries and today is one of the most visited and lively places in the region. The splendid town center is the venue for many events and festivals which delight residents and visitors alike.
Day 8
After breakfast, go for one last dip in the pool before check out. Head towards the Monte Amiata where we recommend a visit to Abbadia San Salvatore and the town’s marvelous abbey of Longboard origins. Go up towards the summit of the mountain where, depending on the season, you can enjoy different landscapes and activities.
