After the Ecomaratona del Chianti Classico: Siena

The Route: Castelnuovo Berardenga → Siena Logistics: A regional bus or a taxi, about 30 to 45 minutes. Bus frequency on a Monday is lower than on a weekday, so check the current timetable and note the last return. A taxi from the town is the fallback. Marathon Month: October Duration: 1 night

Castelnuovo Berardenga ──(bus or taxi, 30 to 45 min)──> Siena ──(walk uphill)──> Piazza del Campo

Siena is built on three ridges and organised around a single square that slopes like the inside of a shell. There is almost no flat ground in the old town, so this is a trip that rewards a slow pace, and after 42 km on gravel it is also a good reason not to hurry.

October in Siena: daytime temperatures are typically 12 to 20 °C, cooler in the evening, and rain is common. The summer crowds have gone and the light is low and gold. The streets are stone and slippery when wet.

The bus from Castelnuovo Berardenga arrives at or near the old town. Ask at your accommodation about the current route and where to get off. If you arrive by taxi, agree the fare before you set off.

Night one: Siena

Piazza del Campo is the heart of the city, a fan-shaped brick square that slopes down to the Palazzo Pubblico and its tall tower, the Torre del Mangia. The tower has about 400 steps and is a poor idea the day after a marathon. Sit on the paving instead, as locals do, and watch the light shift across the brick. The Palio horse race runs here twice each summer, and in October the square is calm.

The cathedral, a short walk uphill, is clad in black and white striped marble and has a floor of inlaid marble scenes. The floor is uncovered only during certain periods, so check the dates, the hours and the ticket price before you go.

The streets between the two are steep and often stepped. Keep to the main lanes, take a taxi for longer legs and stop often. The districts, called contrade, each have their own flag, fountain and rivalry, and a wander through them is enough for an evening.

A hotel within the old walls, close to the Campo, is the easiest base for a night. Confirm the check-in time and book a refundable rate. Rooms in Siena are cheaper than in Florence but fill up on weekends.

Dinner should be pici, the thick hand-rolled pasta, with a meat ragù or with garlic and tomato, followed by panforte, the dense spiced cake. Many restaurants close one day a week and Monday is common, so book ahead.

Getting back

Take the bus back to Castelnuovo Berardenga in the morning, or continue to Florence by bus or train if you are flying from there. Allow extra time and check the timetable.