After an excellent breakfast at the Hotel San Gregorio, it was time to commence our walk to Bagno Vignoni.

Leaving Pienza with a rambling descent, our hike took us through calendar-perfect Tuscan landscape, with rolling green hills crested with lines of cypress trees and stone farmhouses standing alone on hilltops . We had encountered a very hot day and most of the walk was on dirt tracks. On our journey we descend into a couple of floor valleys including Fosso Sambuco and Fosso Rigo.

We climb to enter San Quirico d'Orcia, another walled city, here we stop for lunch and a cold drink to quench our thirst from the heat of the day. After lunch we alocated some time to discover the streets of this city. Here we visit the Collegiate Church of Saints. Quiricus and Julietta, an elegant 12th century church and Horti Leonini (1561) an example of an Italian garden.

Leaving San Quirico d'Orcin, we leave behind a few of the group who are escorted by vehicle to our accommodation in Bagno Vignoni, as Peter and Dawn are suffering from heat exhaustion. The remaining members of the group continue their walk onto Bagno Vignoni. 

Climbing up a ridge we reach Vignoni, where we visit the square Tower and then we descend until reaching Bagno Vignoni, arriving at our destination in the Orcia river valley . Bagno Vignoni is an unusual place, a hot springs spa built around a sometimes steaming city 'square'.

We checked into Albergo Le Terme, stripped off, put on our Budgie Smugglers and headed for the Thermal Pool to relax in the hot spring waters. Thirty six springs rise from a depth of 100 metres below the ground at a temperature of 50º C. Whilst then enjoying an afternoon snack of cheeses and meats with a glass of Montepulciano wine.

After showering Netty, Peter and I took a walk to explore the surrounding area. We visit the Antiche Terme di Santa Catherina and around the village area before joining our group for dinner.

The ancient village of Bagno Vignoni is located in the Val d'orcia Natural Park. Thanks to the Via Francigena (which was the main route followed by pilgrims in antiquity who went to Rome), these thermal waters were found and have been used since Roman times . At the heart of the village is the "Square of sources", namely a rectangular tank, of 16th-century origin, which contains the original source of water that comes from the underground aquifer of volcanic origins. Since the Etruscans and Romans - as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds - the spa of Bagno Vignoni was attended by eminent personalities such as Pope Pius ll, Saint Catherine of Siena and Lorenzo the Magnificent. Characteristic of Bagno Vignoni, besides the thermal waters, are its structure, despite numerous incidents of war, devastation and fires that involved the Val d'Orcia in the Middle Ages,  remains essentially unchanged since then.

After a full day, it was time to rest the body before another day of surprises.