DAY TRIP
Siena is a small jewel of art and culture nestled among the majestic Tuscan hills.
As you move away from the historic center, you’ll encounter natural wonders, breathtaking views, charming villages to explore, green paths for trekking or cycling, natural hot springs, and even alpaca trekking. Did you know? That’s why we’ve designed a special itinerary for you to enjoy in one day, starting from Siena.
ALPACA TREKKING NEAR SIENA
Just a few kilometers from Siena’s historic center is the Fattoria Pernici (Di Pernici Virginia Farm), the first educational farm offering activities with alpacas in a young, family-friendly, and unique setting.
You’ll be welcomed by Virginia, a young woman who has created a fun and magical space for both adults and children!
The Alpaca trekking routes offered by the farm are experiential workshops aimed at respecting natural ecosystems. Walking with alpacas will allow you to slow down your pace and enjoy the natural landscape in a different way, stopping often to connect with the animals and the surrounding scenery, creating a kind of itinerant therapy.
How to get to Fattoria Pernici:
From Borgo Grondaie, take the Florence-Siena motorway toward SS73 in Siena. Take the Siena Ovest exit from SS674, continue on SS73, and take Str. Grossetana toward Str. di Fogliano in La Bicocca (Estimated time: 20 min).
Reservation Required
Contact Information:
Address: Strada di Fogliano 34, Siena
Phone: +39 3404053952
Email: FATTORIAPERNICI@GMAIL.COM
Website: https://fattoriapernici.it/trekking-con-alpaca-toscana/
LUNCH BREAK WITH TASTE IN THE VAL DI MERSE
After the hike with these friendly animals and before continuing your trip through the wonders of Tuscany, we suggest a lunch break.
For a quick stop, continue on the SS223 road toward Grosseto and you’ll arrive at “Il Doccio”, a true must on the road.
Il Doccio is a service area famous for its bar, which has had historic fame for years.
The name comes from the ancient “Osteria del Doccio”, founded by brothers Alfiero and Mauro Petrini in the late 1960s.
Here you can enjoy sandwiches filled with the best Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses. In particular, the Bar Restaurant and Pizzeria of the service area is known for the renowned “Porchetta del Doccio”, cooked with wood, served with fresh bread and a great glass of wine, beer, or iced tea.
If you’re looking for a more traditional restaurant in a charming countryside setting, we suggest “L’Ocio Giulivo Agri Ristorante and Enoteca of Natural Tuscan Wines”, just 5 minutes from Fattoria Pernici.
The restaurant offers a cuisine made of reinterpreted traditional dishes, goose meat, fresh pasta, and traditional soups, all paired with a selection of natural wines.
After your lunch break, you’re ready for the second part of the trip!
Get back on the highway, or as the Sienese call it, “the road to the sea”, and choose one of our suggestions, or both! (Read to the end of this post to find out why)
A VISIT TO MURLO
From Il Doccio, heading slightly back on the state road, you’ll find a junction. Take the exit for Fontazzi on Strada Provinciale 33 and in 15 minutes, you’ll arrive in Murlo, a hidden gem of nature and Etruscan beauty.
Once there, you can visit the Murlo Castle, once the temporal power of the Sienese Curia, surrounded by visible city walls. Inside, you’ll find the Church of S. Fortunato and the Bishop’s Palace of Murlo, home to the Etruscan Museum. The Antiquarium of Poggio Civitate (the archaeological museum of Murlo) is located inside the ancient Bishop’s Palace; it sits in the center of the small village, a medieval castle overlooking the Crevole stream, a tributary of the Ombrone River.
The Murlo Archaeological Museum hosts unique testimonies of Etruscan civilization from the surrounding area.
To visit, reservation is required, which can be made on the website: https://www.museisenesi.org/museo/antiquarium-di-poggio-civitate-museo-archeologico/#info
The museum is open from April to September.
AFTERNOON AT THE SPA IN THE LANDS OF SIENA
Heading back on state road 223 toward Grosseto, you can enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the natural pools of Bagni di Petriolo.
Located at the border between the provinces of Grosseto and Siena, Petriolo is one of the most important thermal locations in Tuscany. We are in the Ombrone Valley, along the Farma River, between the municipalities of Civitella Paganico and Monticiano.
You can choose between the Petriolo Thermal Resort in Monticiano and the free Bagni di Petriolo thermal baths along the riverbank.
A well-known destination throughout Italy, young people and families gather here for Sunday barbecues, trekking, and a warm bath.
On weekends, Bagni di Petriolo becomes lively, so we recommend going in the early afternoon or late evening for a more relaxing atmosphere.
It is often possible to find stalls offering street food, small vendors selling handmade products with organic items (such as jams, honey, etc.).
NATURAL HOT SPRINGS UNDER THE STARS
If you’ve chosen to spend the afternoon in Murlo, you can opt for a night visit to the free thermal baths of Bagni di Petriolo. This is why we mentioned that you could do both of our suggestions: Murlo and the Thermal Baths.
You’ll be ready to enjoy the steaming pools under a starry sky, in a sweet, romantic atmosphere—if you’re with someone—and a bit wild, immersed in nature.
It’s very important to bring a flashlight and wear sportswear, and we recommend leaving your personal belongings in the car, except for the essentials.
At this point, the trip is coming to an end, and it’s time to head back to Siena.
We’re sure you’ll return very satisfied to Borgo Grondaie.
We’re waiting for you!
You can book your stay directly on our website to get the best rate.
