Walk & Discover: Florence & Tuscany

Overview

Itinerary Details

Day 1ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE

ARRIVAL IN FLORENCE

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Pisa. On arrival we transfer by coach to Florence, where we stay for three nights, with breakfast, at the four-star Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. Access into the city centre couldnt be easier, as the hotel enjoys an enviable position on the banks of the Arno River, close to Piazza Santa Croce. All rooms have air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite television, safe and hairdryer. The hotel has a choice of international and Italian cuisine plus a lounge and American bar.

Florence Florence

DAY 2WALK: FLORENCE

WALK: FLORENCE

Today we discover Oltrarno, a charming and less-explored side of Florence south of the Arno River. We cross the Ponte Vecchio, the landmark bridge over the river, and walk through the medieval quarter of San Niccol. We are mere minutes away from the old town centre, but San Niccols remarkably preserved 13th-century walls, narrow cobbled lanes and charming yellow-hued buildings are reminiscent of a small Tuscan village. Its a conducive environment for creative souls, evidenced by the many galleries, artists workshops and taverns.

We begin our gentle ascent up the hills, passing elegant villas with olive gardens, and wind our way through a lush park. Before long we reach Piazzale Michelangelo, where we are rewarded with panoramic views of Florence and the rolling hills beyond. After some time to take it all in, we continue along a cypress-lined street to San Miniato al Monte, a splendid church built between the 11th and 13th centuries. At this height, the views are even more spectacular look out for the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio.

Our descent takes us through leafy streets to Porta Romana, the best-preserved gate of the citys ancient walls. From this imposing gate, Via Romana leads straight to the historic centre of Florence. However, we veer off the beaten path to Oltrarno, which literally means across the Arno. Locals outnumber tourists and grand buildings give way to more humble homes, making this the perfect place to end todays walk. There is plenty to see and do, such as visit the magnificent Pitti Palace and resplendent Boboli Gardens. Or you could return to the old town centre to visit the Uffizi gallery, once a private collection belonging to the Medici family. Botticellis Birth of Venus is just one of the countless masterpieces on display. We recommend that you purchase tickets in advance for details, visit the official Uffizi website.

Duration: 3 hours (3.5 to 4.5 miles)Altitude gain: 500 feetTerrain: urban

Piazzale Michelangelo Piazzale Michelangelo

DAY 3DISCOVER: LUCCA & PISA

DISCOVER: LUCCA & PISA

After breakfast we leave for the delightful city of Lucca, birthplace of composer Puccini. Be sure to visit the ancient cathedral and its venerated wooden crucifix, known as the Holy Face of Lucca. You may wish to wander under your own steam along the citys medieval ramparts. Forming a perfect ring around Lucca, the thick walls have been transformed into a tree-lined park, which offers stunning views of the citys towers and churches on one side and the Apuan Alps on the horizon. Its an easy walk thats just 2.5 miles long.

Then we take the short drive to Pisa, whose most famous gems are on display in the Piazza dei Miracoli the Square of Miracles. The Leaning Tower, one of the worlds most recognisable silhouettes, is your introduction to the rest. The decoration in the cathedral is breathtakingly detailed and its nave is where Galileo is said to have formulated his pendulum theory. Then theres the baptistry, a fascinating blend of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.

We end the day back at our hotel. Relax or discover more of Florences lively restaurants and street cafs, it has an ambience youll love any time of the year.

Leaning Tower of Pisa Leaning Tower of Pisa

DAY 4WALK: CHIANTI

WALK: CHIANTI

After breakfast we explore the rural Tuscany made famous by Renaissance paintings, literature, films and travel posters a truly memorable landscape of undulating hillsides, vineyards, ochre-coloured valleys, terracotta-tiled farmhouses and pencil pines. The Chianti region is renowned as the symbol of Tuscany and one of the best ways to get a taste of it is on a walk. Today you have a choice between an easy or a moderate walk.

Easy walkDuration: 2 hours (3 miles)Altitude gain: 490 feetTerrain: country roads

Moderate walkDuration: 3 hours (5 miles)Altitude gain: 820 feetTerrain: country roads

We begin in medieval Greve, a jewel of Chianti and birthplace of explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered the Hudson Bay in New York. The main squares elegant palaces are reminders of the towns illustrious past and today house restaurants, bars and food shops. Leaving Greve behind, we find ourselves almost immediately immersed in Chiantis gorgeous landscape. We follow cypress-shaded country roads, which wind through hypnotic rows of vineyards and silvery olive groves set against gently undulating hills so typical of Tuscany. Along the way we see Monte San Michele, the highest mountain in Chianti, often covered with snow in winter. The moderate walk follows a similar route but continues further through the Tuscan hills, giving us more time to enjoy the atmosphere and unforgettable views.

No trip to this region is complete without a visit to a local winery, for a tasting of the local fine Chianti wines followed by a light traditional lunch.

Later we drive to the four-star Hotel Il Piccolo Castello, where we stay for the next four nights, with breakfast and dinner. Situated in its own grounds close to the walled hilltop town of Monteriggioni, the hotel provides a relaxing base from which to explore. It has a spacious lounge, bar and restaurant serving authentic Tuscan food.

Chianti Chianti

DAY 5DISCOVER: SIENA

DISCOVER: SIENA

After breakfast we take the short drive to glorious Siena for an enriching guided tour of its treasures. Not only was it the capital of the Republic of Siena during the 12th and 13th centuries, it was one of the richest cities in the world. Its a jewel of Italian Gothic and medieval architecture thats been preserved to a remarkable degree and is justifiably a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city centres on the main square, the Piazza del Campo, an architectural work of art. Formed in a half-moon shape, its lined by tall, striking buildings whose gracious and varied facades have a unique charm. With its abundance of pavement cafs, its the perfect place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine or a coffee and reflect on the citys sheer beauty.

Siena is equally famous for the Duomo, one of Italys most intricate and fascinating cathedrals. The exterior is built from black and white marble, and the west facade offers a particularly fine example of workmanship. The interior is even more breathtaking, with splendid stained-glass windows and paintings and sculptures by leading artists, including the young Michelangelo. Impressive as it is today, in the 14th century the Duomo was set to become the largest church in Christendom had plans for an additional nave gone ahead. The Black Death put paid to its construction, though, as two-thirds of the population perished and the city fell into rapid decline. Little was built thereafter but even less was demolished, leaving a wonderfully preserved city for us to appreciate today.

The afternoon is then yours to shop, people-watch or further explore before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Siena Siena

DAY 6WALK: SAN GIMIGNANO

WALK: SAN GIMIGNANO

During todays walks, youll discover the enchanting area around picturesque San Gimignano. You have a choice of an easy or a moderate walk.

Easy walkDuration: 2 hours (3.5 miles)Altitude gain: 655 feetTerrain: country paths

The easy walk follows part of the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim route, which in medieval times connected Canterbury to Rome. The picture-postcard sights of sand-coloured stone buildings, vine-clad hills and vibrant flowers will delight as we ramble our way to San Gimignano.

Moderate walkDuration: 3 hours (5.5 miles)Altitude gain: 620 feetTerrain: country paths

The longer walk takes us around San Gimignano, with the impressive skyline of its towers in front of us. We hug the ridges of the gentle Tuscan hills, pausing to admire the spectacular views. The colours youve seen in countless oil paintings come alive in the golden fields of barley, oat and ancient wheat, and in the green of the woods, olive groves and vineyards.

Both walks conclude in San Gimignano, where you may wish to stop by the award-winning Dondoli gelateria to reward yourself with a scoop or two of its mouthwatering flavours.

DAY 7FREE DAY

FREE DAY

Today you have a free day to do as you please. Just a few miles away are two utterly charming hilltop settlements, Monteriggioni and Colle Val d’Elsa. Lovers of literature may recall Monteriggioni in the Divine Comedy, the chef-d’uvre of Tuscan poet, Dante Alighieri, who compared the ring of giants surrounding the abyss to the towns monumental towers. There are plenty of boutiques to browse, as well as a 13th-century church that wouldnt look out of place in a film set in the Middle Ages! The sleepy village of Colle Val dElsa is best-known as the birthplace of sculptor and architect, Arnolfo di Cambio, whose tremendous works of art include the Palazzo Vecchio and the old basilica of the Duomo in Florence, and funerary monuments for several popes and cardinals.

Both hilltop gems can be reached by local bus, but if youre feeling energetic, you can wander along pleasant walking paths from the hotel. Should you prefer to stay in, why not catch up on some reading by the hotel pool or take a stroll through its enchanting Italian garden.

Monteriggioni Monteriggioni

DAY 8RETURN HOME

RETURN HOME

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.