Walking in Tuscany 2003

TRIP PREVIEW
6 days/7 nights > Departs and Returns on Sunday

Tuscany, a fertile land, host to many civilisations, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. You will visit medieval fortified villages such as Montalcino, known for it's world-famous Brunello wine; Siena, a magnificent town; Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a working Abbey; Pienza, a renaissance town built for Pope Pius II; San Gimignano, the village of towers. There will be wine tasting, exceptional meals with fresh local ingredients, and walking that is varied without being too strenuous.

Terrain:

River valleys lined with woods and rolling hills with spectacular views of classic Tuscan landscape, olive groves, vineyards, castles, and historic villas with cypress-lined avenues. Most routes are along dirt roads and trails.

Climate:
Spring and autumn are warm (25°C) with breezes: some showers are possible.

Daily Mileage: 6 - 9 miles

Trip start and finish: Florence International Airport

Day 1 San Quirico d'Orcia 4 miles
After a flight to Florence, we are met and driven into the hills of Southern Tuscany. We stop for lunch at Montepulciano, situated on the spur dividing the Val di Chiana from the Val d'Orcia and we take the time to visit this home of the delicious Vino Nobile. This afternoon we walk along a ridge with marvelous sweeping views to Montechiello. A gentle introduction for our first day and tonight we will stay in nearby San Quirico d'Orcia.
Hotel Casanova, D

Day 2 San Quirico d'Orcia 6 miles
This morning we will visit the charming village of San Quirico, then walk to Bagno Vignoni, where the town square is an ancient Roman thermal bath! We'll have lunch in Bagno Vignoni and continue walking through the valley below, and then take the steep climb up to Rocca D'Orcia where we can stop and enjoy views from this home of the toll-takers on the ancient pilgrim road to Rome. Tonight we dine out in one of San Quirico's fine restaurants.
Hotel Casanova, B, L, D

Day 3 Montalcino 5 miles
We will walk through over the undulating hills through the Val di Cava toward Montalcino, enjoying the clay hills of the Crete region of southern Tuscany. We will check into our hotel and have time for lunch and a change of clothes before we visit the Renaissance town of Pienza, with a guided tour of the Piccolomini Palace. Afterwards stroll around the shops and practice your Italian with the gregarious locals whilst shopping for cheese, wine, and local pottery. Dinner tonight is in Montalcino's restaurant Il Giglio and will feature a wine tasting of the delicious Brunello wines.
Hotel Dei Capitani, B, L, D

Day 4 Castellina in Chianti 8 miles
Today we will walk through the heart of the Crete to the working abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, where the monks still produce their own after-dinner liqueurs and herbal cures. The abbey was founded in 1313 and during the Renaissance was one of the major centres of Italian culture. We will have lunch at the abbey before walking along a ridge road toward Buonconvento. Tonight we will stay further north in the village of Castellina in Chianti and dinner tonight is out in this lovely town.
Hotel Squarcialupi, B, L, D

Day 5 Castellina in Chianti 6 miles
Our morning walk takes us past two old mills and through some well-known wine estates. We will stop for lunch at a restaurant by a charming fishing lake, then return to our hotel before our guided visit of Siena, 'the Beloved' is a mystical and passionate centre of art. Of all the towns in Tuscany Siena brings to life the reality of a medieval city, and we stroll through its narrow Gothic streets lined with palaces and patrician mansions and finally reach the magnificent Piazza del Campo. Siena is also home to one of our favourite gelaterie - have only one, if you can! Tonight is a free evening with dinner at a restaurant of your choice.
Hotel Squarcialupi, B, L

Day 6 Castellina in Chianti 9 miles
Our morning walk follows the ancient pilgrim road to Rome, past Monteriggioni (a crown of towers mentioned by Dante in The Inferno) and on to the hamlet of Abbadia Isola. This is rural Tuscany at it's best; south-facing hillsides dotted with vineyards and olive groves. We'll stop in Monteriggioni for lunch in one of the many colourful restaurants before our afternoon walk that will take us past another ancient church on an alternative route of the pilgrim road. Tonight we dine out in Castellina, always a treat: think porcini mushrooms, pecorino cheese, fruity olive oils, white truffles, and some of Italy's most celebrated vintage wines.
Hotel Squarcialupi, B, L, D

Day 7 San Gimignano 7 miles
This morning we will walk into Tuscany's most famous hill town, San Gimignano, the 'town of towers' and be totally transported back to a bygone age. After lunch we can choose an afternoon walk along a ridge, past vineyards that produce the local wine, one of the only famous white wines of the region, Vernaccia di San Gimignano; or we can visit the town, and climb the tower in the city hall! Tonight our farewell dinner will feature local cuisine and wines from some of the vineyards that we have seen along our route.
Hotel Squarcialupi, B, L, D

Day 8 San Gimignano Transfer to Florence for the flight home.