Today was to be a short loop from Montalcino to the Abbazia di Sant' Antimo and back again.
The route left Montalcino on the Grossetto road before turning south-east onto a strada bianca which led all the way to the Abbazia.
Much of this strada is shaded by trees as it slowly descends into the valley.
After about 2 km the small hamlet of Villa a Tolli is reached.
Its main lane is lined with old farm buildings, several of which have been converted to modern dwellings.
Beyond Villa a Tolli the route passes a modern farm and then passes through a vineyard.
After the vineyard the route drops to the bottom of the valley and joins a stream passing through a small wood.
This section was the quietest I experienced during a week crossing southern Tuscany.
Gradually the trees clear and the view begins to open up - the hill top town of Castelnuovo dell'Abate is visible on the skyline ahead - and Abbazia Sant' Antimo appears nestling near the bottom of the valley.
The Abbazia di Sant' Antimo is regarded by many as the most beautiful in Tuscany.
The Romanesque abbey has origins tracing back to the late eighth century. It is sited on the Via Francigena which was the most important pilgrimage route from northern Europe to Rome.
The present building was started in 1118 and is constructed in a creamy white stone - the hue of which reacts to lighting conditions.
The abbey is occupied by a group of Cistercian monks who celebrate Mass and sing prayers several times a day in the church.
From Sant' Antimo the return involves climbing up to Castelnuovo dell' Abate to rejoin the road back up to Montalcino.
This road climbs some 250 metres in the space of 8 kilometres - but is almost perfectly graded.
As you near the crest of the hill views open up over the rooftops of Montalcino and to the countryside beyond.
After a quick stop for photographs I freewheeled into Montalcino to search out the essential coffee stop.
Montalcino is sited at an altitude of 567 metres - some 300 metres above the surrounding countryside
From the northern walls it was possible to look right back over the route taken from Buonconvento the day before.
An even higher vantage point is afforded by the ramparts of the Rocca (castle).
Apart from the cars - the views from here must have been the same as they were centuries ago.
Kirby James
