Hiking Italy

Day 0 Florence
The starting point of our tour is Florence, capital of Tuscany, and perhaps the world’s most amazing Renaissance town.
Florence can easily be reached by plane (Pisa or Florence Airport) and train (from Milan, Rome).  You can arrive here on the starting day of the tour, but of course you can also book an extra night here, to allow some extra time for some sightseeing in this beautiful city, full of world famous museums and nice places to go for an easy stroll.

Day 1 Arrival – Florence
Today you arrive in the beautiful city of Florence. After settling in our very special, recently restored hotel, in the heart of the historical centre, you could already go for a short stroll through the colourful streets, soaking up its atmosphere, or visit a museum. Towards the end of the afternoon we meet our tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome cocktail in the hotel. After a brief introduction of the tour, we will then go for a short round walk through the heart of Florence, and already take in some of the ‘highlights’. In the evening we dine in a very nice restaurant close to our hotel. (D)

Day 2 : From Florence to Colle Val d’Elsa and San Gimignano
Today our private minibus picks us up and brings us to the beautiful small town of Colle Val D’Elsa, perhaps not as famous as other Tuscan towns, but with a very interesting centre. First we take some time for a coffee and to buy our picnic supplies, then we start our walk, which takes us at first through the whole historical town centre. Then we descend into the valley where we pick up one of the supposed routes of the ancient Via Francigena. Along this route, through a pleasant hilly landscape of vineyards and forests we reach the small hamlet of Bibbiano. Another descent brings us down into the valley of the river Foci. Follows a short stretch through the river valley, and past an old water mill. Then we start to climb up along a comfortable track up to one of Tuscany’s most beautiful agriturismo’s, where we will spend the next two nights. We make sure to be here on time, to enjoy its fabulous setting and surroundings, and perhaps its library or swimming pool. For those who want there is also a longer option to walk to here. Dinner at the private restaurant is included tonight. (BD)

Total walking time: around 3,5 hours + sightseeing time (4-5 hours with extra option).

Day 3 : San Gimignano & its countryside
Directly from our agriturismo we start an amazing roundwalk through the world famed Tuscan countryside, in the direction of San Gimignano. First we make our way up along the ridge to the small hamlets of Ciuciano and San Donato, passing along several old ‘pievi’ (countryside churches) and villa’s and often with wonderful views of the skyline of San Gimignano. This town – sometimes referred to as having the only “skyscrapers” in Tuscany – is an absolute must, a wonderful medieval city with picturesque vineyards, olive and cypress groves on either side. Upon arrival we’ll have ample time to explore this small romantic old town with towers that remain from medieval times. The town once had 52 of these towers (there are now less than a dozen). Wealthy, prominent families would use the height of these towers to distinguish themselves, and the towers also served to alert the inhabitants of this walled town of approaching friends and foes. We also make a nice stroll along its impressive medieval town walls. In the town itself there are numerous places to enjoy lunch. Then we follow the Via Francigena back to our agriturismo: first to the convent of Monte Oliveto, located on a wide ridge, then down to a small stream, which we’ll you have to cross, before climbing back up to our agriturismo. Towards the end of the afternoon we return here to enjoy some relax in our beautiful ‘agriturismo’. Here we will have yet another great meal tonight. (BD)

Total walking time: around 4 – 5 hours (+ circa 1 h. in San Gimignano – various options).

Day 4 : Siena & the Val d’Orcia
Today we leave our agriturismo, heading for Siena, one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval towns. Its heart is the perfect, shell shaped Piazza del Campo, scene of the Palio. Here you’ll admire the Palazzo Publico with pictures and frescoes including Lorenzetti’s ‘Good and Bad Government’. Nearby are the remarkable Duomo of black and white marble and the church of Santa Caterina. We make a short roundwalk to get our bearings right and then have some free time to either visit or relax. After lunch our bus picks us up and we drive to the beautiful small town of San Quirico. From here we make a great afternoon walk: through the medieval town gate we leave San Quirico in the direction of Pienza. We will follow mainly so-called ‘strade bianche’ through the archetypical Tuscan landscape, and towards the end of the afternoon we reach Pienza, a small, perfectly laid out Renaissance town. Pienza is often described as the “ideal city” or the “utopian city”. However it certainly is one of the best planned of Renaissance towns, where a model of ideal living and government was attempted. Its location in the centre of the Val d’Orcia, a wonderfully harmonious valley, helps the town to embody the fundamental principle that humanistic architecture attempted to create a balanced relationship between Man and Nature. We have time to explore, and perhaps visit the beautiful museum, inside the Palace of Pope Pius II. After your visit you settle in a beautiful and welcoming hotel, in an old cloister, at only a few steps from the main square. (B)

Total walking time: around 3-4 hours. Total driving time today: around 1,5 hours.

Day 5 : Along Assisi, Mt. Subasio & Spello into the Valnerina
Today we leave Tuscany, and drive into Umbria. Here we’ll visit the beautiful town of Assisi, yet another highlight of this tour. The city is full of highlights, among which of course, the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi (St. Francis), with its wonderful fresco’s by Giotto, a World Heritage Site. But also the other churches, the Greek temple of the central square and the underground Roman Forum are worth a visit. After an extensive visit our bus takes us up to the Eremo delle Carceri, the place where St. Francis, and after him many others, sought spiritual relief, now a beautiful small monastery with nice surrounding garden. Here we make a beautiful roundwalk along natural springs and small chapels, followed by a nice picnic lunch. Our bus then takes us all around Mt. Subasio, and leaves us in the sight of amazing Spello, arguably one of the most beautiful small cities of central Italy. A wonderful short afternoon walk brings us though the olive groves directly to the heart of Spello. Here we’ll have the time to visit this old Roman town and enjoy a relaxed drink on one of its terraces. In the late afternoon our bus will then take us into the Valnerina, where we will stay the next two nights in a beautiful medieval abbey. (BLD)

Total walking time: around 3-4 hours. Total driving time today: around 2 hours.

Day 6 : Through the Valnerina to the Marmore Waterfalls
After breakfast today we’ll leave the abbey on foot, heading towards the West, through the narrowest part of the Nera valley, which until not long ago was almost completely cut off from the outer world and therefore virtually untouched. We’ll first walk up to the intriguing abandoned village of Umbriano, deemed by many ‘one of Umbria’s most romantic spots’. Then we’ll walk along several charming hamlets, following the pilgrim’s trail from Assisi to Rome. Around lunch time we’ll reach one of the wonders of central Italy: the Marmore waterfalls. These waterfalls, about 165 metres high offer a unique visual and acoustic experience. And the most intriguing fact about them is that they were actually manmade – in Roman times… You can make a wonderful roundwalk in the area of the waterfalls, walking from viewpoint to viewpoint. Or just sit down and look at this incredible sight, just like Lord Byron did. After some time for contemplation or a drink at the waterfalls, we return by bus to our base at the abbey. (B)

Total walking time: around 4-5 hours + sightseeing time. Total driving time: around 0,5 hours.

Day 7 : Over the Monteluco to Spoleto
After breakfast this morning, our bus brings us onto the hill of Monteluco, which separates the Valnerina from the valley of Spoleto. Here you make a very pleasant roundwalk through the forested hills, with wonderful views on Spoleto and its surroundings. The hill of Monteluco is known to be a ‘holy mountain’ and many of the trails are linked to the spiritual history of the area. Here you can discover the ‘holy forest’ (a protected nature area since Roman times!) with its many grottoes and wander along medieval chapels through a pleasant wooden landscape. We’ll have a nice lunch here and then we’ll descend towards Spoleto. Along the stunning ‘Ponte delle Torri’ bridge, a unique aqueduct, we’ll reach the impressive fortress other side of the valley. From here we walk directly into the Roman & medieval town centre. There is of course time for sightseeing and a relaxed drink, before settling in our beautiful family-run hotel, right in the heart of town. In the evening we then all join for a last great evening meal, in a nice restaurant close to our hotel. (BLD)

Total walking time: around 3,5-4,5 hours; approx. walking distance: 9-11 km.

Day 8 : Departure from Spoleto
This morning after breakfast, our journey ends. You can of course opt to spend some more time in Spoleto.
From Spoleto there are many direct trains to Rome (or Florence). There are (shuttle) buses to the train station at walking distance from the hotel. A taxi transfer to any place can be arranged at any time.

Hiking Italy

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
All nights are spent in beautiful, characteristic hotels & agriturismo’s, mostly historical buildings (generally 4-star level). All rooms have en-suite facilities.

Accommodation includes breakfast, in all accommodations. Most evening meals are included, for which we have selected the best available restaurants. On two nights you are free to choose from the wide choice of restaurants in the area. Your guide can give you good tips.

Also some (picnic) lunches on walking days are included in the tour price. On other days you are free to have your own lunch. Here you have the option to have your lunch in a nice restaurant, or purchase your supplies for a picnic lunch.

Night 1 : The first night is spent in Florence. Our accommodation is a 4-star hotel in a historical palace, beautifully restored, in the heart of the historical centre.

Nights 2 & 3: These two nights we stay in a beautiful agriturismo near San Gimignano, a carefully restored historical building on the route of the Via Francigena, where we can indulge in local, often home-made specialties.

Night 4: For one night we stay in a great 4-star hotel right in the heart of Pienza. Our hotel is a beautifully restored old monastery.

Nights 5 & 6: These two nights we’ll stay in a very special place, a beautifully restored 11th-century abbey in the heart of the Valnerina Valley.

Night 7: The last night is spent at Spoleto. Our very good, welcoming hotel is located in a central position, right in the historical heart of the city.

INCLUSIONS

On our GUIDED WALKING TOURS we include almost everything :

• Private English speaking tour leader for 8 days
• Accommodation: 1 night Firenze – 4**** hotel; 2 nights San Gimignano in a beautiful agriturismo, 1 night Pienza 4**** hotel, 2 nights historical abbey , 1 night Spoleto
• Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners (good restaurants!), 1 warm lunch, 1 picnic lunch
• All private & public transfers as indicated throughout the entire itinerary
• Entrance fees of all sites along the itinerary
• Special activities as outlined in the day by day itinerary
• Guest experts for special places
• 24/24 h local assistance
• Luggage transport
• All gratuities for baggage, porters & hotel service

Not Included

• Departure taxes
• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Optional additional tours or activities
• Tips
• Items of a personal nature

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

Easy (2): Mostly easy walks, but with nonetheless some walking uphill, sometimes on paths with rough surfaces. On most days shortcuts are possible (as well as occasional extensions).

Fitness: High standard of fitness is not necessary but you should be able to walk for up to 4 hours a day in hot sun on dusty or stony tracks.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

Arrival: The tour starts in FLORENCE, a city with an international airport.

A taxi pick-up service can be arranged either from FLORENCE or PISA airport, or train station.

Departure: The tour ends after breakfast on day 8 in SPOLETO. A frequent train service can bring you from here to either Rome or Florence. Several taxi services are available to bring you directly to your next destination.

Hiking Italy

It is possible to include some extra nights before or after your tour.

For those who have never been in Florence an extra day here is strongly recommended. The tour can easily be extended with a few days in Spoleto, or elsewhere in Umbria. Several good accommodations are available. Details and prices on request.

SHORTER & LONGER VERSIONS

A shorter, 6-day version of this tour is also available. See also our other ITALY tours !