TOUR AT A GLANCE – Tuscany Walking Tour – Chianti
Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Departures 2012: May 13 & 27, June 10, Sept 2, 16, & 30
Departing from: Florence 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, Day 1
Tour finishes: Poggibonsi train station, 10 a.m. on Saturday Day 7
Price 2012: $3,199 USD per person based on double occupancy.
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All dates are Guaranteed departures. You can create your own date for a small group. Click on any picture to enlarge. (CD 180112)
Come walk the hills and villages of beautiful Tuscany. Discover the mysterious Etruscan civilization of Volterra, see the stunning medieval towers of San Gimignano, explore the labyrinth of ancient Colle di Val d’Elsa, and admire Siena’s splendid “Il Campo” square, arguably the most beautiful in all Italy. Combine the sensual pleasures of Tuscany’s sublime cuisine, delicious wine, and Mediterranean sunshine with the physical pleasure of an active holiday walking through some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.
Day 1 – Sunday: Meet your guides and the rest of the group at the Hotel Orto de’ Medici in the heart of historic Florence at 12:00 p.m. (You are free to stay wherever you like should you arrive a day early. We are happy to provide you with hotel recommendations or we can book you at the pick-up hotel.) We then have a private transfer (90 minutes) from Florence to the countryside near Volterra, where we begin our first walk. The walk takes us up through olive groves and vineyards, past stone farmhouses, and eventually to the imposing city walls of Volterra. From the battlements we look down on the Roman theater and out across the landscape of western Tuscany to the sea. On a clear day you can even see the islands of Elba and Corsica. After checking into our hotel we meet our local guide for a visit of town, whose history spans Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance periods. We visit the fascinating Etruscan Museum, where 3,000-year-old funerary urns, ceramics, and filigree gold jewelry bear witness to the extraordinary sophistication of the Etruscan civilization. Before dinner we meet up for an aperitivo to discuss the week’s activities, followed by dinner. The walk: 2 hours, mostly uphill but at a gentle grade. Distance: 7 km (4 miles). Overnight Volterra at the four-star La Locanda. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 2 – Monday: We begin our day with a 30-minute van shuttle to the trail head, then we set off for the hamlet of Ulignano and a picnic lunch. We walk through oak forests and vast wheat fields, past solitary cypress trees and stone farmhouses, before eventually looping back towards Volterra, whose towers and steeples stand out across the valley in the distance. We have free time this afternoon to further explore Volterra or unwind at a café before dinner. The walk: 2.5 hours to lunch, then another hour in the afternoon over rolling terrain. Distance: about 12 kms (7 miles). Overnight Volterra. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – Tuesday: We bid farewell to Volterra and transfer by van towards Colle di Val d’Elsa. Our walk takes us past a 15th century hunting lodge to the hamlet of Montauto from where we have wonderful views onto the storybook “city of the towers,” San Gimignano. We walk on an ancient trail called the Via Francigena, where pilgrims and noblemen once traveled north and south through Europe. We have lunch in San Gimignano, then have time to explore before transferring by van to Colle di Val d’Elsa and our four-star hotel, Palazzo San Lorenzo. Inaugurated in 1635 as the town hospital, this 400-year-old building has been transformed into a chic and comfortable hotel complete with spa and indoor swimming pool. Free time in the afternoon to either peruse Colle’s crystal shops, or enjoy the hotel’s spa. Dinner tonight is at one of our favorite restaurants, located in a 16th century olive mill. The walk: 3.5 hours to San Gimignano through rolling terrain. Distance about 15 kms (9 miles). Overnight Colle di Val d’Elsa. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 – Wednesday: Our loop walk from Colle takes us to a small private winery and a tasting of its Chianti, Vernaccia and Vin Santo wines as well as their olive oil. We have a leisurely lunch at the winery and then have free time in the afternoon to explore town or do another walk. The walk: About 2.5 hours to the winery with an optional 1.5 hour walk back in the afternoon. Dinner in the village. Distances about 9 km (6 mi) with an optional extra 7 km (4.5 mi). Overnight Colle di Val d’Elsa. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5 – Thursday: Today we take a break from hiking and do a little urban exploring, Medieval style! We transfer by van to beautiful Siena, one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. Conquered by the Medicis in 1585, Siena became a backwater, frozen in time, making it one of Europe’s finest example of a preserved Gothic city. The high concentration of buildings from the 12th-14th centuries makes Siena unique, and the main square, “Il Campo,” is considered by many to be Italy’s most beautiful piazza. The famous bareback “Palio” horse race is held in the square twice a year. Our local guide will explain the mayhem and passion of the race, then take us to visit the cathedral and its medieval treasures. After lunch you can join your guide to explore Siena’s city walls and hidden neighborhoods or venture out on your own to shop or explore the town at your leisure. Reconvene at 16:00 to transfer to our home for the last two nights, the lovely Villa Casafrassi, an 18th century Tuscan villa that has been transformed into a four-star hotel immersed in the serene Tuscan countryside. Magnificent Lebanese cedars spread their branches out over the villa’s park, where on a hot summer afternoon the shade is welcome. Enjoy a swim in the pool or soak up the view over the surrounding hills while enjoying a cool glass of prosecco on the terrace. Our dinner tonight features delicious local produce and traditional Tuscan dishes. Overnight Villa Casafrassi. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included
Day 6 – Friday: Our walk starts directly from the hotel, and follows an ancient road paved with rough-hewn stones and lined with cypress trees. After an hour we reach the idyllic hamlet of Fonterutoli, perfect timing for a mid-morning cappuccino break. Our trail loops around Fonterutoli, passing medieval castles and Renaissance villas and manor homes. We have lunch back in the village followed by an optional visit of the Cantina Mazzei, producers of fine wines since 1427. Connoisseurs will know it as the producer of Ser Lapo and Siepi, two of Tuscany’s most sought-after wines. Return to the hotel for a swim before dinner on the terrace. The walk: 1 hour to Fonterutoli, then a 2.5 hour loop, and then 45 minutes back to hotel. Option to do short loop in the morning only. Distances about 16 kms for full walk, about 8 km for short walk. Overnight Villa Casafrassi. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7 – After breakfast we shuttle everyone to Poggibonsi, which is well connected to Florence by bus and train (we usually take the 9:46 train, arriving in Florence at 10:50). From there you can easily catch trains for the rest of Italy. Breakfast included.
The walks in Tuscany cover a variety of terrain, from trail to dirt road, with many rolling hills to climb or descend. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or enjoy the towns where we stay. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region. Daily distance between 8 and 14 kms.
Useful Links -
The City of Florence : everything you need to know about the city
The Accademia: home of Michelangelo’s David and other world-famous works
The Uffizi Gallery: one of the greatest collections in the world. We recommend you make reservations ahead of time.
The Duomo: one of the wonders of the Renaissance, Florence’s cathedral.
The City of Volterra tourist authority: official site of the city and its activities.
Alabaster in Volterra: information on this ancient craft and the city’s craftsmen.
Crystal in Colle di Val d’Elsa: all about the city’s crystal producers — one of the most important centers in Europe.
Siena Tourist Authority: details on the city’s history and events.
Chianti Classico wine consortium: a site devoted to this world-renown wine and its group of producers
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy: come see the marvels that await you in Italy!
General Information
| Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate to easy. We walk on wooded trails and farm roads over quite hilly terrain. We usually walk between 10-16 kms a day (6-10 miles), or 3-4 hours, divided between morning and afternoon. Trip Cost Includes:All accommodations in four-star hotels (2 nights Volterra, 2 nights Colle di Val d’Elsa, 2 nights Villa Casafrassi); 6 breakfasts and 5 dinners; bilingual Customwalks guide(s) to accompany the tour and lead you on the walks; all van transfers and luggage transfers from pick-up in Florence on Day 1 until Saturday Day 7; winery lunch; and all visits as indicated in the itinerary.Getting there (this will redirect you to our “Getting to the Trip” page).
Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the “Reservation” page). Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend “Travel Guard” to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
