Hiking Tuscany Hillside
San Gimignano – Colle val d’Elsa – Chianti
From Piazza della Signoria in Florence to Piazza del Campo in Siena, this trip follow the gentle ridge of Tuscan hills linking the two most important cities of the region, real gems in terms of history and art. Florence, the city of Leonardo, Giotto, Dante and Brunelleschi, and Siena, native land of the "Palio". Leaving Florence we will walk on a section of Via Francigena,one of the oldest pilgrim paths of Europe, then enter the Chianti region , homeland of the famous wine, produced here already before the Roman times. San Gimignano and its iconic towers, the walls surrounding the hamlet of Monteriggioni, the quiet Colle Val d'Elsa, the amazing local food (and wine, of course) and the gentle green hills of the region are just waiting for you!
Highlights:
- The superb art towns of Florence and Siena
- The medieval jewels of San Gimignano, Colle Val d’Elsa and Monteriggioni
- Chianti region: land of wine, art and history
Highlights:
- The superb art towns of Florence and Siena
- The medieval jewels of San Gimignano, Colle Val d’Elsa and Monteriggioni
- Chianti region: land of wine, art and history
Day 1: Rome and train to Florence
Individual arrival in Rome; meeting with the Guide at the airport/central station and transfer to Florence by train. Dinner in a typical restaurant and overnight in hotel***. Meals (-/-/D).
Day 2: Florence and sunset on San Gimignano (2.30 hours walking, +100 mt –100 mt, 6 km)
After breakfast guided visit of the historical Centre of Florence, from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, until the Battistero of S. Giovanni and the amazing Palazzo della Signoria. Private transfer by minibus (1h) to S. Gimignano. San Gimignano is known as the “New York” of the Middle Age, because its several towers surrounding the historical centre. The village is considered worldwide one of the best medieval architecture examples present in Italy. Thanks to a gentle walk in the old city center we’ll admire the sunset on the towers of the town. Dinner and overnight in Hotel*** in S. Gimignano. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 3: San Gimignano and its countryside (4 hours hiking, +550 mt -550 mt, 13 km )
Today we’ll discover the amazing landscape that surround S. Gimignano. Following ancient paths and the typical “white roads”, our walk we’ll lead us between little Romanic churches and chapels, lush forest of chestnut and spectacular fields and vineyards. The wild boar, the noble pheasant and the roe, habit this country area, close to small villages built with local stone and wood. During the hike, a special olive oil and wine tasting will be served. The olive oil is one of the specialities of Tuscany, known worldwide. Dinner is not included. Overnight in Hotel*** in S. Gimignano. (Meals B/L/-)
Day 4: The Via Francigena to Colle Val D’Elsa (4 hours hiking, +370 mt -310 mt, 13 km)
The Francigena Way is a journey of history, a road which led from Canterbury to Rome, travelled in the past by thousands of pilgrims. A gentle hilly trail will take us to Colle Val d’Elsa, an interesting town located in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategic position, close to the cities of Siena, Florence and Volterra. The main activity of Colle Val D'Elsa, described as "the Bohemia of Italy", is marked by the manufacture of glass and the production of lead-crystal glass. Private transfer (30 min) to Radda in Chianti, the heart of the superb Chianti wine region. Dinner and overnight stay in Agriturismo Radda in Chianti. Organic food for dinner. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 5: The Chianti Region (4 hours hiking, +400 mt -150 mt, 15 km)
The "Chianti" is a land of ancient winemaking traditions of which there are Etruscan and Roman remains. But the first documents in which the name identifies an area of Chianti wine production (and the wine) date back to the thirteenth century and refer to the Chianti League founded in Florence. Starting from our Agriturismo thanks to a great hike, we’ll see the ancient vineyards and the cultivation techniques. At the end of the walk, a wine tasting of the typical Chianti wines. Dinner and overnight stay in Agriturismo in Radda in Chianti. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 6: From Colle Val d’Elsa to Piazza del Campo, Siena (3.30 hours hiking, +200 –150, 14 km)
After breakfast short transfer (30 min) to Gracciano d’Elsa. Today's path evolves in an oak forest, plant species used in the local economy since the Middle Ages for the construction of buildings. We arrive at the tiny stone village of Strove, surrounded by woods and fields. After a short regenerative break, we leave for Monteriggioni: a medieval architectural gem. This village with its walls of 14 intact towers dominates the countryside from the top of the hill. Public bus to Siena. Free time to visit the wonderful Piazza del Campo where the Palio is held and the superb XIII century Cathedral. Dinner and overnight at the *** hotel in Siena. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 7: Siena and transfer to Rome airport
After breakfast, depending on the flights timetable, free time to discover the historical centre of Siena. End of the services and private transfer to Rome. (Meals B/-/-)
Individual arrival in Rome; meeting with the Guide at the airport/central station and transfer to Florence by train. Dinner in a typical restaurant and overnight in hotel***. Meals (-/-/D).
Day 2: Florence and sunset on San Gimignano (2.30 hours walking, +100 mt –100 mt, 6 km)
After breakfast guided visit of the historical Centre of Florence, from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, until the Battistero of S. Giovanni and the amazing Palazzo della Signoria. Private transfer by minibus (1h) to S. Gimignano. San Gimignano is known as the “New York” of the Middle Age, because its several towers surrounding the historical centre. The village is considered worldwide one of the best medieval architecture examples present in Italy. Thanks to a gentle walk in the old city center we’ll admire the sunset on the towers of the town. Dinner and overnight in Hotel*** in S. Gimignano. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 3: San Gimignano and its countryside (4 hours hiking, +550 mt -550 mt, 13 km )
Today we’ll discover the amazing landscape that surround S. Gimignano. Following ancient paths and the typical “white roads”, our walk we’ll lead us between little Romanic churches and chapels, lush forest of chestnut and spectacular fields and vineyards. The wild boar, the noble pheasant and the roe, habit this country area, close to small villages built with local stone and wood. During the hike, a special olive oil and wine tasting will be served. The olive oil is one of the specialities of Tuscany, known worldwide. Dinner is not included. Overnight in Hotel*** in S. Gimignano. (Meals B/L/-)
Day 4: The Via Francigena to Colle Val D’Elsa (4 hours hiking, +370 mt -310 mt, 13 km)
The Francigena Way is a journey of history, a road which led from Canterbury to Rome, travelled in the past by thousands of pilgrims. A gentle hilly trail will take us to Colle Val d’Elsa, an interesting town located in the heart of Tuscany, in a strategic position, close to the cities of Siena, Florence and Volterra. The main activity of Colle Val D'Elsa, described as "the Bohemia of Italy", is marked by the manufacture of glass and the production of lead-crystal glass. Private transfer (30 min) to Radda in Chianti, the heart of the superb Chianti wine region. Dinner and overnight stay in Agriturismo Radda in Chianti. Organic food for dinner. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 5: The Chianti Region (4 hours hiking, +400 mt -150 mt, 15 km)
The "Chianti" is a land of ancient winemaking traditions of which there are Etruscan and Roman remains. But the first documents in which the name identifies an area of Chianti wine production (and the wine) date back to the thirteenth century and refer to the Chianti League founded in Florence. Starting from our Agriturismo thanks to a great hike, we’ll see the ancient vineyards and the cultivation techniques. At the end of the walk, a wine tasting of the typical Chianti wines. Dinner and overnight stay in Agriturismo in Radda in Chianti. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 6: From Colle Val d’Elsa to Piazza del Campo, Siena (3.30 hours hiking, +200 –150, 14 km)
After breakfast short transfer (30 min) to Gracciano d’Elsa. Today's path evolves in an oak forest, plant species used in the local economy since the Middle Ages for the construction of buildings. We arrive at the tiny stone village of Strove, surrounded by woods and fields. After a short regenerative break, we leave for Monteriggioni: a medieval architectural gem. This village with its walls of 14 intact towers dominates the countryside from the top of the hill. Public bus to Siena. Free time to visit the wonderful Piazza del Campo where the Palio is held and the superb XIII century Cathedral. Dinner and overnight at the *** hotel in Siena. (Meals B/L/D)
Day 7: Siena and transfer to Rome airport
After breakfast, depending on the flights timetable, free time to discover the historical centre of Siena. End of the services and private transfer to Rome. (Meals B/-/-)
Grade: moderate, 3 to 6 hours walking each day. The typology of the paths are: large dirt road, mule track and wooden path. A prior hiking experience is advisable. There is no technical difficulty but long walks.
Accommodation :
- 1 night in hotel*** in Florence
- 2 nights in Charming B&B /hotel*** in San Gimignano
- 2 nights in Agriturismo*** in Radda in Chianti
- 1 night in hotel*** in Siena
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 litres), trekking poles advised.
Getting there: The destination airport is Florence. We will set a meeting time with the guide at Florence hotel.
Included:
- 4 nights’ accommodation in hotel*** and 2 night’s accommodation in charming Agriturismo, with breakfast included facilities
- 5 dinners
- 5 pic nic lunches
- olive oil and wine tasting on day 3
- wine tasting on day 5
- all private and public transportation as detailed in the program
- Hiking Guide English spoken
- Guided visit Florence day 2
Not included:
- lunches on day 1 and 7
- dinner on day 3
- Tourist tax (payable locally)
- insurance, drinks, entry fees and everything not in the “price includes”
Accommodation :
- 1 night in hotel*** in Florence
- 2 nights in Charming B&B /hotel*** in San Gimignano
- 2 nights in Agriturismo*** in Radda in Chianti
- 1 night in hotel*** in Siena
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 litres), trekking poles advised.
Getting there: The destination airport is Florence. We will set a meeting time with the guide at Florence hotel.
Included:
- 4 nights’ accommodation in hotel*** and 2 night’s accommodation in charming Agriturismo, with breakfast included facilities
- 5 dinners
- 5 pic nic lunches
- olive oil and wine tasting on day 3
- wine tasting on day 5
- all private and public transportation as detailed in the program
- Hiking Guide English spoken
- Guided visit Florence day 2
Not included:
- lunches on day 1 and 7
- dinner on day 3
- Tourist tax (payable locally)
- insurance, drinks, entry fees and everything not in the “price includes”
Trips Note
Destination: Tuscany
Travel Style: Guided walking holiday
Interest: History & Culture; Wine & Gastronomy
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Departures: Mar Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct Nov
Group size: from 3 to 15 people
Airport: Florence
