Flavorsome and Beautiful

The Lands of Siena offer an astounding range of art and cuisine trails, perhaps like no other in the world.

Starting from Siena, rich in works by the famous artist Duccio and known for its sweet specialties, traveling through Valdelsa, famous for its crafts, food and wine, with countless towers and works of art, to the South of the Siena area, where Brunello and Nobile wines as well as Pecorino cheese are produced.

Among the means of transport available to those who wish to discover the Lands of Siena, Hotel Niagara recommends:

THE NATURE TRAIN

Trains are usually mere means of transport, while the Treno Natura (Nature Train) is a time machine. This is the impression you get when you step onto this very peculiar train and journey along one of its many interesting itineraries.

The Nature Train Project is inspired by already-existing traveling models, which are very popular both in Europe and in North America. It's no accident that its carriages are always crowded with passengers, among which many foreign tourists. The so-called "slow tourism", which has become very popular in the last few years, involves several different kinds of activities, among which touring by bicycle, on horseback, trekking, etc. Tourist railways - especially historic railways - have recently been gaining great popularity in Italy, too.

In fact, there is undeniable delight in the emotion one feels while stepping onto old carriages with doors for each compartment, towed by a vintage locomotive engine or by the famous 640 engine, which almost resembles a steaming coffee machine. This are the trains our fathers and grandfathers used to travel by, with their background noise of whistles, squeaks, and pistons.

There are several itineraries to choose from, all of which unusual and irresistible thanks to the beauty of the local landscapes.

Passengers have the chance to get off at quaint old stations and walk along unspoiled paths, visit countryside churches, villages, and castles, they can stop by a farm or a wine cellar and enjoy a food and wine tasting session, or they can participate in local festivals and fairs. The stunning beauty of the most characteristic areas of Tuscany is thus not only enjoyed from behind the train window, tourists have the opportunity to fully appreciate the local culture, cuisine, and, folklore.

STANDARD DAY TRIPS ON VINTAGE TRAINS

Booking recommended. Tickets can be purchased directly onboard the Nature Train.

Siena-Asciano-Monte Antico itinerary with departures from Siena at 8.30 a.m. -11.15 a.m. - 3.45 p.m.. Daily tickets also valid on ordinary trains on the Siena - Asciano - Monte Antico - Buonconvento - Siena railway line.

May 21^st, 28^th
June 4^th, 11^th
September 10^th, 17^th, 24^th
October 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th

DATE	Activities associated with the trip (optional)
May 21^st	Train to the Monte Labro Fauna Park
May 28th	Biosphere festival in Vivo D'Orcia
June 4^th	Arts and Crafts Festival in Radicofani
September 10^th	September in Asciano
September 17^th	September in Asciano
September 24^th	Val d'Arbia Buonconvento food fair
October 15^th	Autumn festival in Abbadia and Vivo d'Orcia
October 22^nd	Autumn festival in Arcidosso, visit to the fauna park
October 29^th	Sweet chestnut fair in Campiglia

TIMETABLE

Siena dept.	8.30 a.m.	11.15 a.m.	3.45 p.m.
Asciano arr.	8.55	11.50	4.14
Asciano dept.	9.00	11.55	4.15
Monte Amiata dept.	9.40	12.40	5.00
Monte Antico arr.	10.00	1.00	5.20
Monte Antico dept.	-	1.15	*5.36
Buonconvento dept.	-	1.35	*6.08
Siena arr.	-	2.05	*6.34
(Firenze S.M.N. arr.)	-	-	*8.07

Monte Antico dept.	⁽¹⁾10.05	-	5.35
Monte Amiata dept.	10.20	-	5.55
Asciano arr.	10.54	-	⁽²⁾6.35
Asciano dept.	-	-	6.45
Siena arr.	-	-	7.15

* Ordinary train, regional train no. 3034 Orbetello-Firenze via Siena connecting with the Nature Train
(1) It connects with regional train no. 6964 from Grosseto
(2) It connects with regional train no. 6883 to Chiusi
The Nature Train can stop upon request in Arbia, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Montalceto, Trequanda, San Giovanni d'Asso, Torrenieri-Montalcino, Casalta, Sant'Angelo Cinigiano, and Murlo. All trains stop in Asciano Monte Oliveto Maggiore.

SPECIAL STEAM TRAINS

Booking required. Timetables vary according to each itinerary.

April 23^rd, Siena-Asciano-Monte Antico-Murlo
Murlo Train
April 25^th, Siena-San Giovanni d'Asso
Pecorino cheese and "morellino" artichoke fair in Chiusure
May 1^st, Siena-Monte Antico-Sant'Angelo Cinigiano
Village festival in Sant'Angelo Scalo
May 7^th, Siena-Buonconvento- Siena
Steam Festival
May 14^th, Siena-Monte Antico-Asciano
"Scialenga" Antique Market
October 1^st, Siena-Monte Antico- Asciano
Steam, Wine Harvest, and Pork Festival
October 8^th, Chiusi-Asciano-S. Angelo Cinigiano
Chestnut Festival in Casteldelpiano
November 12^th, Siena-Monte Antico-San Giovanni d'Asso
Truffle Exhibition
November 19^th, Chiusi-Asciano-Monte Antico-San Giovanni d'Asso
Truffle Exhibition

SPECIAL VINTAGE TRAINS

Booking required. Timetables vary according to each itinerary. Journey on trains with vintage engines, one departure only.

March 5^th, Siena-San Giovanni d'Asso
March Truffles
March 19^th, Siena-Buonconvento-San Giovanni d'Asso-Siena
Peace Train
June 25^th, from Siena and from Chiusi to Asciano, Monte Antico-Grosseto
Maremma Park
July 30^th, Siena-Monte Amiata
Musical Bands Train
September 3^rd, Siena-Asciano-Chiusi
Train of the Etruscans
December 8^th, Florence-Siena-Torrenieri
Oil festival in San Quirico
December 31^st, Siena-S. Angelo Cinigiano (Monte Amiata)
New Year's Celebration Train

FARES

Trains with vintage engines: Siena-Asciano-Monte Antico-Siena round trip and special diesel engines: € 15.00; Asciano-Monte Antico return ticket € 10.00.

One child under 10 years of age travels for free when accompanied by an adult paying the full fare.

Afternoon train: departure at 3:45 p.m. from Siena, €10.00 for the round trip.

Steam engine trains: €25.00 for any itinerary.

One child under 10 years of age travels for free when accompanied by an adult paying the full fare, unless the child takes up a seat.