Walking in Tuscany

Day 2 Chianti Walk & Castello di Verrazzano

Walk 8km/5miles - 3 hours

The day begins in Badia a Passignano, from where we'll begin our scenic walk towards Castello di Verrazzano. The route gently unfolds through classic Chianti landscapes of vineyards, olive groves and rolling hills. At the castle, we'll enjoy a light lunch with wine tasting, a perfect moment to relax and fully embrace the flavours of the region. In the afternoon, we'll travel by coach to Greve in Chianti, a charming village known for its picturesque main square and authentic local atmosphere.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 3 Chianti - Free Time

Walk 10 km/6.2 miles - 3 hrs

You can take today to enjoy time for yourself, or join the optional excursion to Florence. We will explore Florence on foot, starting at Piazzale Michelangelo, which sits on a hill and offers stunning views of the city. We’ll then make our way to the city centre, past hidden treasures including one of the finest Romanesque churches in Tuscany and the Porcellino covered market. We will enjoy a light lunch together, followed by some free time.

Meals included: B,D

Day 4 Volterra & San Gimignano

Walk 8km/5 miles - 3 hours

Today begins with a visit to Volterra, a fascinating hilltop town known for its Etruscan heritage, stone streets and unique atmosphere. During our time here, we'll also observe a traditional alabaster workshop, discovering this ancient local craft.

From here, the walk begins with a scenic downhill route towards Prato d’Era, offering a different perspective of the surrounding landscape.

Later, we'll travel to San Gimignano, where the experience continues with a walk in the surrounding countryside, followed by time to explore the historic centre and its iconic towers.

Meals included: B,D

Day 5 Chianti - Free Time

Walk 5.5km/3.4 miles - 2hrs

Spend today at leisure, or join the optional visit to the medieval village of Certaldo. The day begins with a scenic walk in the Parco Collinare di Canonica, following gentle hillside trails through woodland and cypress-lined paths, offering beautiful views over the surrounding countryside.

After the walk, we'll make our way to the delightful Certaldo Alta, either on foot, or take the opportunity to experience the local funicular. We'll then enjoy a typical Tuscan light lunch, featuring local specialities from the area, including the renowned Certaldo onion.

Meals included: B,D

Day 6 Mugello - The Medici Heartland

Walk 6km/3.7miles - 2.5 hours

Today we explore the wide Apennine valley north of Florence, Mugello. The original homeland of the Medici family, it is a patchwork of cultivated fields and rolling lanes, framed by oak and chestnut woods and crossed by quiet waterways, with open views towards Lake Bilancino. Our walk follows a scenic trail through woodland, rural hamlets and protected nature. Towards the end of the walk, we'll enjoy a light farm-to-table lunch at a local restaurant, including the traditional potatoes used for tortelli di patate, before returning to the hotel in the afternoon.

Meals included: B,L,D

Day 7 Siena & Monteriggioni

Walk 7km/4.3 miles - 2.5 hours

Today we'll enjoy a guided walk through Siena, a city of soaring Gothic architecture and warm terracotta tones, where grand landmarks open onto lively piazzas and quieter lanes lead to hidden courtyards and elegant palazzi. The atmosphere is unmistakably Sienese - timeless, local, and beautifully alive. Later, we'll continue to Monteriggioni, a storybook hilltop village enclosed by its intact medieval walls. Here, time slows along the ramparts and through the tiny streets and it's ideal for a final gentle stroll in a timeless setting.

Meals included: B,D

Day 8 Departure

Today it's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Meals included: B

Additional Information

 Please note: We want you to get the most from your holiday with us. Please be advised this tour requires a good degree of physical fitness and is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.

There will be plenty of rest stops and time to enjoy the local scenery. Most walks take place on paths and tracks. Some will be slightly more strenuous and may involve moderate slopes, tracks, hills, stiles and foot bridges, which may be rough underfoot at times. Sturdy walking shoes and walking poles are essential.

Hotel pools are typically open from June-September, at the discretion of the hotel.
  What to expect from food and drink in Italian Hotels: The cuisine that you will enjoy in Italy is based on the Mediterranean diet. It is often very simple with many dishes just featuring a handful of locally sourced ingredients.

Traditionally evening meals are served as a three-course dinner and as a group you will enjoy a set meal together. 

The first course ‘Primi’ will be a local dish of pasta, risotto or occasionally pizza or soup, ‘Secondi’ is the second course which will be a protein-based dish with a local meat or fish served simply with one vegetable or potato on the side. Some food that is served hot in the UK, may be served cold in Italy, for example roast beef and some of those vegetable side dishes.

‘Dolci’ the dessert part of the dinner is a simple traditional dessert of fruit, cake or gelato.

Enjoying a coffee is a typical social activity in Italian culture. An electric kettle is not a common domestic appliance in Italy and therefore it is quite common for hotels to not offer coffee and tea facilities within the rooms, but instead serve in the main restaurant or bar.