Overview
Experience the magic of Italy in Tuscany
With its Renaissance cities, mediaeval villages and cypress-lined avenues
snaking through vineyards, southern Tuscany is the perfect place for a
relaxing guided walking holiday. Based at the tranquil Villa Casalta, on our
tour we visit beautiful San Gimignano, the market town of Greve in Chianti,
the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Siena and the magnificent city of Florence.
During the week we sample several varieties of the world-renowned local
Chianti and have the opportunity to learn more about Italian wine at the Wine
School of Siena.
Highlights
* Walk the classic rolling hills of Tuscany
* Stay in a converted farmhouse
* Enjoy the fabulous Chianti wines
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Pisa; transfer to Castellina in Chianti.
Fly to Pisa; transfer to Villa Casalta, 2kms from Castellina in Chianti
(transfer approx. 1hr30mins).
Day 2
Visit mediaeval market town of Greve in Chianti and the hilltop village of
Montefioralle; afternoon wine tasting in Castellina.
Today we head to the mediaeval market town of Greve in Chianti walking
through a magnificent setting of olive groves and vineyards. On the way, we
will stop in the fortified hilltop village of Montefioralle, considered the
most ancient ‘borgo’ in Chianti. After lunch we enjoy a wine tasting in
alocal winery before heading back to our farmhouse for dinner.
Day 3
Walk to Radda in Chianti, the heart of the Chianti area
This morning we will set out for a local history walk to the heart of the
Chianti area, covering the route from Villa Casalta to Radda in Chianti. We
will take a walk through local woodlands where we can admire the so famous
emerald vineyards valleys. In the afternoon we will have the chance to taste
the much acclaimed Chianti Classico wine at a local winery.
Day 4
Travel to Siena and explore the stunning historic centre; learn about Tuscan
and Italian wines at the Wine School.
After breakfast we make our way to the centre of Siena for a day exploring
this fascinating city. We have time to visit the numerous museums and
stunning Duomo and to relax in one of the many outdoor cafs in Piazza del
Campo, home of the world famous Palio horse race. Please note that shoulders
should be covered for entering the Duomo. You may also like to visit the many
boutiques specializing in local products and cutting edge Italian fashion. In
the afternoon we also have the opportunity to learn about Tuscan wines on a
1-hour fun interactive course at the Tuscan Wine School.
Day 5
Free day to visit other Chianti villages or relax by the pool.
Today is free to rest any tired legs at the poolside. Alternatively, your
leader can advise on local Chianti wine tasting tours and cooking classes or
offer assistance for unguided walks or daytrips.
Day 6
Discover the magnificent city of Florence, considered the birthplace of the
Renaissance.
Our destination today is the magnificent city of Florence, the birthplace of
the Italian Renaissance with an enormous wealth of historical sites, museums,
galleries, churches and architectural delights. Most of the great artists,
thinkers and builders from Renaissance history passed through or lived in
Florence when it was under the rule of the Medici family, the most famous
patrons of the 16th century. But Florence is not just a Renaissance
showpiece: once you have had your fill of the historical trail there are many
other things to see and do. The city has not ceased to be a centre of
learning, and there is a university, many art and language schools and a
large student population to liven up the caf-bars, restaurants and
nightclubs. There are also some great markets and chic boutiques. From April
to July, Florence also holds one of Europe’s major cultural events, a
festival of opera and classical music called the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
There are no guided tours organised for the day but there’s an option to join
one of the free walking tours in the morning. This will then leave you enough
time to visit the Uffizi galleries. If you wish to do so we recommend that
you prebook your ticket online to avoid lengthy queues. An ideal slot time
would be around 2 pm. it can be earlier if you’re not interested in joining
the morning free walking tour. Tickets can be purchased through
https://webshop.b-ticket.com/webshop/webticket/eventlist?production=1
.
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Day 7
Walk to picturesque San Gimignano with free time to explore Palazzo Comunale,
Pinacoteca and Torre Grossa.
After a transfer to the quaint hamlet of San Donato, we walk through the
farm grounds following the pathway to Montauto and on up to the picturesque
mediaeval town of San Gimignano. The walk is not long and should take
approximately 3 hours. The afternoon is spent exploring this beautiful town
including visits to the Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca and Torre Grossa and
there is some free time to wander and soak up the atmosphere.
Day 8
Transfer to Pisa; fly to London.
Transfer to Pisa; fly to London.
Please note that at times, especially during summer months, the inbound
flight can be late in the evening. In this instance you will have additional
time to spend in Pisa. Leader will take care of all arrangements in terms of
transport from/to the airport and the city centre and luggage storage. It may
also happen that, for logistical reasons, on return we will have to be at the
airport earlier than normally scheduled. This will mean a longer waiting time
before checking in.
